Placemaking NSW provides leadership, assurance and strategic direction to partners and stakeholders through long-term planning and policy development.
Key guiding strategic and policy documents reflect our core responsibility to the people of NSW to manage these iconic precincts. They also reflect a commitment to connecting and caring for Country, and ensuring the culture, heritage and environmental values of our places are protected and enhanced for future generations.
Strategies, plans and framework
The charter is a voluntary framework aligned with the UN’s Charter of Public Space, that establishes 3 core values – Connection to Country, Equity and Inclusion, and Community Engagement. The charter underpins 10 design and management principles to guide planning, activation, and stewardship of high quality, accessible public spaces across NSW.
Read the NSW Public Spaces Charter (PDF 8.8 MB).
An actionable framework developed with the NSW Safer Cities program utilising a community co-designed process. It recommends improvements in lighting, signage, wayfinding and public realm access to enhance safety, accessibility and belonging for women, girls and gender diverse people in The Rocks – Tallawoladah.
Read The Rocks – Tallawoladah Women's Safety Strategy (PDF,18.1 MB).
A precinct strategy to guide and prioritise cycling infrastructure, policy and promotional initiatives, supporting safe and inclusive cycling for both residents and visitors.
Read the Darling Harbour – Tumbalong Cycling Strategy (PDF, 18.3 MB).
The strategy sets out a cohesive framework for public and external lighting that supports safe, inclusive activation of the area, enhances the unique character of The Rocks and highlights its rich stories and heritage.
Read The Rocks – Tallawoladah Lighting Strategy(PDF, 12.5 MB).
The strategy provides a framework for planning, prioritising, delivering and managing high quality, accessible public amenities ensuring every visitor, regardless of mobility, can fully visit and participate in experiences across both precincts.
Read The Rocks and Darling Harbour – Amenities Strategy (PDF,16.5 MB).
The plan sets long term care and management of the park, including how it will be protected over the long term by balancing public access and recreation with the conservation of its Aboriginal, industrial and maritime heritage, landscape character, and foreshore environment.
Policies, procedures and guidelines
The guidelines provide detailed protocols for the cleaning and maintenance of heritage sandstone surfaces, laneways, and public spaces within The Rocks precinct.
Read The Rocks Heritage Public Domain Cleaning Guidelines (PDF, 1.1 MB).
Guidelines for commercial outdoor dining including planning controls, footpath use, operating hours and amenity impacts to be considered as part of a safe, well managed alfresco dining precinct.
Read the Darling Harbour – Tumbalong Outdoor Dining Guidelines (PDF, 2.3 MB).
Read The Rocks and East Circular Quay Outdoor Dining Guidelines (PDF, 2.3 MB).
A framework for temporary activations in vacant buildings, offering creative organisations and artists affordable options to showcase original work, delicious food or host unique events; contributing to a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere in The Rocks.