$354 Million plan to transform North Sydney's MLC building into university campus.Cash strapped North Sydney Council could sell part of local street to Shore school.
Shore School in North Sydney wants to close and purchase part of a local street. Image: Shore School.
By ANNA USHER
One of Sydney’s most prestigious private schools wants to purchase part of a public road, with plans to incorporate it into its existing campus.
The Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) has formally approached Council to acquire a section of Edward St, south of Lord St in North Sydney.
The section of Edward St separates the Prep Campus (pictured) from the senior school. Image: Mayoh Architects.
Currently, the section of road separates the senior school from the preparatory campus and is a known traffic bottle neck during school pick-up and drop-off times.
Council documents reveal Shore lodged its request in February and would be required to provide an initial $20,000 bond to cover the cost of preliminary Council analysis.
Councillors will consider the proposal next Monday night, determining whether to progress to the next stage, which would involve further assessment and community consultation.
If approved, the street acquisition (in red) could put an end to traffic woes during school drop off and pick up times.
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If the plan progresses, the section of road would be formally closed and sold to Shore, with sale proceeds restricted for use on road-related works within the LGA, as per the Roads Act 1993.
But before any transaction can occur, Council must confirm the road is not “reasonably required” for current or future public use, that its closure would not disrupt traffic or restrict access to private properties, and that suitable alternative routes are available.
The top private school will be required to pay a $20,000 bond for Council to begin preliminary enquiries into the potential sale.
The move would not be without precedent. In November 2024, North Sydney Council resolved to enter negotiations with SCEGGS Redlands regarding a similar proposal to purchase Monford Place, a cul-de-sac in Cremorne. While an earlier sale proposal in 2022 was rejected, renewed interest from the school had prompted Council to reconsider.
A further report will be brought to Council once investigations into the Edward Street proposal are completed.
📌 North Sydney Council will meet on Monday 29 July at 7:00pm. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed online.
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