Your Voice Camden
STAGE 2 Public Exhibition completed
Concept plans were exhibited from 1 to 29 September 2025 for each section of John Street, 27 John Street, and a Signage and Wayfinding Strategy for Camden.
Submissions received during this time are being reviewed independently and will be reported to Council for consideration.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to working with all our stakeholders to improve John Street for our current community and future generations.
As part of the development of the Camden Town Centre Urban Design Framework in 2018, people and businesses shared their aspirations for the Camden Town Centre. At this time, John Street was identified as a future creative and community hub for Camden, and improvements to support this vision were identified as a priority project for our community.
To begin the John Street project, we undertook stage one of our community consultation from 30 May to 24 June 2024. During this Research and Validation phase, we asked businesses, property owners, residents and community groups a series of questions so we could understand what the community liked and disliked about John Street, how they envisaged John Street as a future creative and community hub as well as their small and big ideas for the street.
Feedback across all engagement was highly consistent and identified five key themes for improvements to John Street – Highlight local history; Improve public facilities and amenity; Improve pedestrian access; Activate John Street; Beautify John Street.
With this information from the community, we have developed draft concept designs for:
The John Street Project aims to enhance Camden’s civic and cultural heart while preserving its unique heritage and character. Spanning the upper, central, and lower precincts, the project aims to create a safer, more inclusive, and pedestrian-friendly environment that invites people to linger, connect and explore the town centre.
In the upper and lower precincts, the focus is on functional improvements that retain existing parking while significantly enhancing pedestrian access and safety. Upgraded footpaths, improved crossings, and better connectivity to local services will ensure users can enjoy the area comfortably and confidently.
The central precinct prioritises the public domain, with extended kerb lines creating wider footpaths and shared spaces for gathering, socialising, and community events. This area will become a vibrant civic hub, anchored by cultural landmarks such as the Camden Library, Museum, Art Gallery and Camden Civic Centre. By calming traffic and enhancing walkability, the precinct will become a welcoming place where great spaces bring people together.
Across all three precincts, the project places people before cars, delivering a cohesive streetscape that balances movement, safety, and amenity. Through thoughtful design and community-led planning, John Street will evolve into a place that celebrates Camden’s past while embracing its future.
Click the links below to explore the draft concept designs.
Discover the draft concept design for Upper John Street from the Argyle Street roundabout to Broughton Street and St John's Anglican Church steps.
Discover the draft concept design for Central John Street from the Argyle Street roundabout to Mitchell Street including Larkin Place laneway.
Discover the draft concept design for Lower John Street from Mitchell Street to Exeter Street, Camden including access points to the Camden Town Farm.
Discover the draft concept design for 27 John Street which proposed to combine event space with day-to-day use by the general public and Camden Civic Centre.
The draft Signage and Wayfinding Strategy is a comprehensive plan that guides how people navigate and experience the Camden Town Centre, through visual cues like signs, maps, symbols, and spatial design.
Click each project button to learn more and provide your feedback.
Submissions are welcome by Monday 29 September 2025.
