Land used during construction linked to the Warringah Freeway Upgrade in Neutral Bay has been identified as likely candidates for transfer for ongoing care, control and management once construction activities conclude.
Neutral Bay Sites Identified
Six sites across the North Sydney local government area have been identified for potential transfer following construction, with two located in Neutral Bay.
The Neutral Bay sites are Rose Avenue Reserve, at the corner of Alfred Street and Rose Avenue, measuring 975.2 square metres, and Merlin Street Reserve, at the corner of Merlin Street and McIntosh Lane, measuring 1,054 square metres.
Both areas were used during construction and are now being reviewed as the project moves toward completion.
Background And Project Context
The Warringah Freeway Upgrade involves works along a four-kilometre corridor between High Street in North Sydney and Willoughby Road in Naremburn. Early works for the project began in March 2021, with construction commencement listed as December 2022. The project is scheduled for completion in 2026.
Works include interchange upgrades, bridge construction and widening, road realignments, and changes to pedestrian, cycling and bus infrastructure. Multiple locations were used as temporary construction support sites throughout the project.
Construction Sites And Local Impacts
Several locations in and around Neutral Bay were used to support construction activities associated with the freeway upgrade.
Merlin Street Reserve included a construction support site known as WFU7, which occupied approximately 1,700 square metres within the reserve during construction. The site supported works linked to the realignment of Alfred Street North and construction of a new southbound bus lane bridge off Falcon Street. It is located on the eastern side of the Warringah Freeway and is bordered by residential properties, local roads and the freeway corridor.
Construction support activities generally occurred during standard construction hours, with some bridge and surface works requiring out-of-hours activity at times.
Beyond individual support sites, construction works also affected surrounding road corridors. Along Alfred Street North, including sections between Rose Avenue and Kurraba Road, works associated with bridge construction, road widening and interchange upgrades resulted in changes to access and parking during construction.
Traffic And Parking Impacts
Assessment of the Merlin Street support site indicated a worst-case scenario of up to 150 light vehicle movements per day on Merlin Street south of Falcon Street, with traffic impacts anticipated to be minor due to existing low traffic volumes.
Up to 10 on-street parking spaces were temporarily removed near the Merlin Street site during construction, with nearby streets providing alternatives.
Separate works along Alfred Street North resulted in the permanent removal of approximately 96 on-street parking spaces across two sections. About 23 new spaces were provided following completion, resulting in a net reduction in on-street parking serving North Sydney and Neutral Bay, with no nearby alternatives identified.
Temporary long-term closures of sections of Alfred Street North were also required during construction, with access to properties maintained through alternative routes and existing turning facilities.
Next Steps
A meeting scheduled for Monday 9 February 2026 is expected to consider a motion enabling the Chief Executive Officer of North Sydney Council to begin formal discussions with Transport for NSW regarding future care, control and management of the identified sites.
No land has been formally transferred at this stage. Any transfer would occur following completion of construction activities, compliance processes and agreement on management arrangements.
Published 5-Feb-2026
