Edward St and Penshurst St South Streetscape Improvement Project - Stage 3

Willoughby City Council is undertaking a streetscape improvement project for Edward St and Penshurst St South, Willoughby.

Council decision

At its meeting on 15 December 2025 Council resolved:

Note the update on the Edward and Penshurst Street South Streetscape Improvement Project.
Approve the project being split into two separate projects, referred to as Stage 1 and Stage 2 (as outlined in Attachments 1 and 2).
Approve funding of $670,000 for Stage 1 works funded from $150,000 from the Environment Levy and $520,000 from the Willoughby Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2019 PD23 Pedestrian Facilities which is allowed for in the Long Term Financial Plan.
Note Stage 2 will be subject to obtaining future funding, which will be the subject of future grant applications.
That the residents of Penshurst Street South be consulted on the planting of trees on the western side of Penshurst St South (outside 36-42 Penshurst St South)

Background

Over 2022 and 2023 Council consulted the community about how the street might be improved.

The main suggestions were:

Reduce speeding and 'rat running'
Optimise parking
Make the street greener, shadier and cooler
Improve amenity and make the street more pedestrian and cycle-friendly

Following this feedback, Council commissioned landscape architects SMM to prepare draft streetscape improvement concept designs, using the community’s suggestions as guiding principles for the project.

The corridor has also been identified by students participating in a Council-led active travel project at Willoughby Public School as one of four key ‘active paths’ which have been waymarked with stencils to encourage more students and their families to walk, cycle or scooter to school.

We conducted further engagement from 22 July to 15 September, 2024 on the draft concept designs.

Read the latest engagement outcome report here

Design and cost plan

We developed a consolidated concept design taking into account community feedback received over the past three years. The design addresses the priorities articulated for the corridor which are, in order of priority:

Traffic calming
Pedestrian safety improvements
Street greening and urban heat mitigation
Optimising parking
Improving cycling environment

We also developed a cost plan which identified a gap between the available budget and the funding required, so we're proposing to deliver the works in two stages to allow additional funds to be secured.

Willoughby City Council is undertaking a streetscape improvement project for Edward St and Penshurst St South, Willoughby.

Council decision

At its meeting on 15 December 2025 Council resolved:

Note the update on the Edward and Penshurst Street South Streetscape Improvement Project.
Approve the project being split into two separate projects, referred to as Stage 1 and Stage 2 (as outlined in Attachments 1 and 2).
Approve funding of $670,000 for Stage 1 works funded from $150,000 from the Environment Levy and $520,000 from the Willoughby Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan 2019 PD23 Pedestrian Facilities which is allowed for in the Long Term Financial Plan.
Note Stage 2 will be subject to obtaining future funding, which will be the subject of future grant applications.
That the residents of Penshurst Street South be consulted on the planting of trees on the western side of Penshurst St South (outside 36-42 Penshurst St South)