The goods line, is a section of old railway that ran between Darling Harbour goods yards and the rail yards around Redfern further south. It was first built in 1855, becoming vital for the movement of goods like coal, shale and wheat amongst others. Over time, the Ultimo (where the goods line is located) became industrial with engineering works and wool stores. The goods line was used well into the 1960’s, after being upgraded several times due to the size and weight of trains it was expected to carry increased over the years. The last train went over the goods line was in 1984, after which it fell into disuse.

This closing of the railway line coincided with the industrial areas in Ultimo and Darling harbour becoming unused, before it was decided later in the 1980’s to undergo urban renewal.

Darling harbour was redeveloped into an area full of restaurants and is also home to the Maritime Museum. Immediately around the Goods Line is now home to the University of Technology, the head office of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Sydney and the Powerhouse Museum. The goods line itself was turned into a park area that extends from Railway Square to the corner of Sussex and Hay Streets.

The Goods Line was designed Aspect Studios and Chrofi. The features include areas to sit, like on the lawns or on the chairs and tables, table tennis tables and a children’s play area. The aim the designers were going for was to allow ideas, people and social and cultural interactions flow along the park, just like the products were transported on trains in the past.

There are items from the areas railway past that have been kept as a reminder of the areas past use. These include the railway under bridge built in 1879, a leaver frame from the Ultimo Street signal box and an stretch of track.

As for the planting scheme, the plants were chosen for their hardiness while also adding colour and texture. The choices are simple with no fussy show stoppers. The plant choices include:

• Giura lindheimeri-Butterfly bush
• Tulbagia violacea-Society garlic
• Salvia leucantha-Mexican bush sage
• Asclepius curassavica-Tropical milkweed

The Goods Line, I think, is a really nice little area to spend some time. I was there around lunch time and it was busy with students and people who work in the area walking through or eating lunch and relaxing for a while. The railway artefacts that have been kept are a nice reminder of the areas previous life, without being overpowering or taking away from the rest of the design.

The plant choices are simple, mainly focusing on different leaf shapes and differing shades of green rather than on flowers. I think that this works really well and add to the sense of calm and relaxation. It is an area where people obviously go to take time out from their busy lives without being isolated from what’s going on in the city outside. I also think that we need more spaces like this in cities that allow people to have a break from the built up grey concrete that can dominate.

• All photos are my own
• Www.CHROFI.com
• Thegoodsline.aspect.net.au