Changes due to Urban Renewal in Pyrmont-Ultimo

In 1900, Pyrmont was an important port and industrial area, with a population of almost 30 000 people. There was a wide range of industries and services present including wharves, dockyards, warehouses, abattoirs, wool stores, railway yards and even an incinerator for the disposal of Sydney’s waste. It was deemed a working-class suburb with a predominantly Irish/Catholic population. As the income for Pyrmont was only modest, semi-detached cottages were the most common type of housing present.

In the 1960’s however, Pyrmont-Ultimo was deteriorating at a fast rate and became an unfortunate example of urban decay. The government policy of decentralisation, which is having industries move away from the centre of the city, was having an extreme impact on the suburb’s population. This suburbanisation was caused due to congestion, obsolete plants, an ageing infrastructure, high cost of land and the limited scope for expansion. The railway goods yards were relocated to Chullora when Darling Harbour was redeveloped in the 1970’s and the wool stores moved to Yennora. As there was no longer enough employment for the working class society, the population of Pyrmont-Ultimo declined dramatically which resulted in a reduction in industry. A steady deterioration of services and amenities soon followed with factories and warehouses becoming abandoned and decayed. Another negative impact of this urban decay was the dereliction of the wharves, once central to the industry of the suburb. As there was no public access granted, the wharves were no longer put to good use and became dilapidated.

Finally in 1991, the federal government initiated a ‘Better Cities Program’ which aimed to make Australian cities sustainable and more liveable. It encoura...

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...o urban renewal the suburb of Pyrmont-Ultimo has significantly changed its demographics. A survey conducted in 1996 by the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning revealed that Pyrmont had become home to a more youthful and wealthier population with 55 percent of the population lying in the 20-29 years age bracket. The introduction of new amenities and institutions such as the University of Technology, Chinatown and Star City would certainly have accounted for this. Couples with no children now account for more than 32 percent of the total population and more than 27 percent of new residents have a university degree compared to 16 percent in 1992. Pyrmont-Ultimo no longer has a strong manufacturing industry; instead heading for a corporate workplace with a revolution in IT, communications and finance which accounts for the increase in tertiary educate professionals.