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Controversy heightens over Pyrmont Bridge garden

Plans by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) to install a vertical garden on the Pyrmont Bridge have been criticised by Bicycle NSW.

The AMAZE project aims to use the organic waste from surrounding amenities at Darling Harbour to fertilise the garden and showcase the benefits of sustainable composting.

AMAZE was announced by NSW Planning Minister, Pru Goward, at the end of last month. It is a collaboration with environmental advocate and architect Joost Bakker.

“This is an extraordinary and exciting project. It is not just a static sculpture, but a living attraction which will breathe life into Darling Harbour over summer,” Ms Goward said.

“It is the first time in Australia, and possibly the world, that a major tourism precinct has collaborated on a composting program of this scale.”

However, Bicycle NSW is concerned the garden will create commuter chaos on the bridge, which is used by 17,000 cyclists and pedestrians each day.

“This is a busy thoroughfare and an important access point to pedestrian and cycling pathways to and within the city. Designing ways for the cyclists and pedestrians to share the space is definitely a priority,” said Sophie Bartho, Communications Director of Bicycle NSW.

“Bicycle NSW is keen to work closely with SHFA to develop a great solution to improve bicycle user and pedestrian interplay on Pyrmont Bridge, however ‘AMAZE’ was not designed for this purpose.”

Bicycle NSW have been particularly critical of what they see as a lack of consultation from the SHFA with other key stakeholders, raising safety concerns for cyclists, pedestrians, and visitors.

The AMAZE garden is expected to be constructed in late October and stay open until April next year.