We are proposing to create a new plaza next to Balmain Library and Town Hall and outside Balmain Courthouse to honour the 35th Premier of NSW, Neville Wran.

We are seeking your feedback on:

• The draft plans for the new plaza
• If you support renaming the new plaza 'Wran Place'.

We will consider all feedback gathered during the consultation and provide a summary of what we heard. At an upcoming Council meeting, Council will decide whether to move ahead with the proposed plans and whether to submit a formal application to the Geographical Names Board to name the new plaza Wran Place.

From his humble beginnings in Balmain in the 1930’s, Neville Wran rose to become a highly respected barrister and NSW’s longest serving Premier.

Neville grew up in Balmain and was proudly part of the Inner West community. He attended Nicholson Street Public School in Balmain and Fort Street Boys High in Petersham.

Neville’s roots in Balmain were deep, in fact his great-grandfather, Thomas Wran, was the Master Stonemason who carved the coat of arms on the Balmain Courthouse in the 1880s.

Neville Wran led major change in his career including the decriminalisation of homosexuality, the criminalisation of marital rape, developing stronger environmental protections, establishing the Heritage Council, and the renewal of public spaces such as Darling Harbour.

He has left a legacy, particularly in civil rights, that is unparallelled in the history of NSW.

We have developed short-term plans that have been included in our 2026/27 financial year budget with the aim of delivering these in 2027. The budget for these upgrades is $350,000.

In addition, we have developed longer-term plans that may be progressed in the future, depending on further funding being allocated.

The proposed short term plans for the new plaza include:

• Retaining the existing glasshouse and expanding the surrounding paved area to improve visibility and activation.
• Providing additional seating, including informal gathering spaces and sandstone walls. The existing bus shelter will be removed.
• Introducing new stone paving and native tree planting to enhance the plaza frontage
• Creating a pedestrian-only zone adjacent to the Town Hall and glasshouse
• Replace the overmature tree next to the glasshouse with a more suitable species that maintains shade while improving sightlines into the place
• Two existing kerbside parking spaces in front of the Town Hall to become short stay 15 minute parking spaces
• Relocate library service bins (non‑public) to a discreet location behind the Library to improve amenity and visual quality of the space
• Story boards and artwork displaying Neville Wran's achievements (these will be designed in consultation with the Wran Family).

The proposed long term plans include:

• Extending the plaza to create a larger attractive gathering space between the library, glasshouse and public toilets, with additional site furnishings and sun-shading umbrellas
• Incorporating a covered outdoor area next to the Library, designed to connect directly with the plaza.

You can provide feedback by:

• Completing the online survey below
• Attending an in-person pop up next to Balmain Library and Town Hall on:
  • Saturday 25 July 2026 10am-12pm
  • Wednesday 29 July 2026 11am-1pm
• Emailing to ashraf.alattar@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
• Posting to Inner West Council, Po Box 14, Petersham NSW 2029 (Attention: Ashraf Alattar)
• Calling us on 02 9392 5929.

Other ways to provide feedback

• Call a FREE Interpreter or the National Relay Service, Monday to Friday between 9am-4pm and provide our phone number 02 9392 5929.
  • Free Interpreter call TIS National on 131 450
  • Voice relay call 1300 555 727
  • TTY call 133 677
  • SMS relay call 0423 677 767

Last day to provide feedback is Sunday 9 August 2026.

To complete the survey please join to create an account, or login to an existing account. The Your Say Inner West account is separate from other Council accounts.