Skip to Content
Accessibility
York Visitor Centre York Residency Museum York Recreation Centre

Macartney Street/ Old Home Hardware

A partnership project between the Shire of York and the York and Districts Co-operative supporting the revitalisation of the Old Home Hardware site as a community space that is safe, green and functional.

With a lease in place, the Shire is planning a public green space on the Avon Terrace portion of the site. The York Co-op is going forward with the development of a carpark on the rear of the site and plans have been developed for the reconfiguration of Macartney Street into a one-way pedestrian focused street.

Project Status

Designs are completed and planning is underway for construction. But first a check in with the community will inform us if the plans align with community expectations.

What about a name?

We are working with the local Ballardong Noongar community to identify a noongar name for the green space.

Celebrating this as a place for the community to come together is the objective. A proposed name will be shared shortly.

Key Design Elements

Green Space

  • Shade shelter provides opportunity for community activity fronting Avon Terrace or fronting the grassed area
  • Hardstand on the Avon Terrace frontage provides permeant space for seating and socialising – a permanent version of the pop up tables there now
  • In partnership with York Garden Club – a public artwork is planned for the corner of Macartney Street and Avon Terrace
  • Large lawn area provides green space on the main street
  • Improved footpath with shady trees links Avon Terrace to Avon Park and river
  • Adventure pathway through the native gardens provides interests for children
  • New public toilet with proposed Changing Places toilet provides facilities close to the main street
  • Native landscaping with a species list developed by the York Wildflower Society brings a vibrant natural area to the main street
  • Mature trees will fast track shade and greening

Macartney Street

  • Turning it into a one way street running from Avon Terrace down to Lowe Street
  • Large paved plateau will prioritise pedestrians.
  • Having the footpath and the road on the same level will improve accessibility through the area
  • Additional footpaths and seating will provide more area for social connections or just a place to watch the word go by.

Rear Carpark

  • Works delivered by the York Co-op to provide a constructed carpark
  • Access ramps and paved crossings to slow vehicle traffic and prioritise pedestrians

Have your say

The designs for this area have been inspired by what the community told us in a 2023 co design process conducted by the Town Teams Movement.

Now we want to know if we met your brief.

Do these plans align with what the community told us then?

  • You told us you wanted more green spaces
  • You wanted more accessible spaces
  • You wanted spaces for the community to come together and socialise
  • You wanted to connect the main street to the river.

Let us know by completing this short survey below by 5 June 2026

 CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Relevant Documents Including Plans

Traffic Plan

Landscape Plan

York CBD Revitalisation Report

Macartney Street Home Hardware Listening Report

FAQs

Why is the Shire working on privately owned land?

The demolition of the existing building and Quick Win Project presents an opportunity for York Co-op and the Shire to work together to realise value to the community in activating these spaces. The Shire has leased a portion of the site.

When will it be completed?

The community greenspace at the Avon Terrace frontage will need to be staged and completed as funding allows. The first step is to get some functional community space in place in 2026.

Part funding has been secured for the Macartney Street works through the Streets Alive program, but we will need to secure more to complete it. The plan is for the top part of the street to be constructed first with the pedestrian raised area. The bottom part of the street can be managed with line marking until further funds are secured.

Is the Shire paying for car parking for the IGA?

No, the Shire will be responsible for the community space and the Co-op will be responsible for their own car parking, with joint costs shared.

Update:  26 May, 2025

Macartney Street Redevelopment.
Acting CEO Alina Behan shares a detailed update on the Macartney Street redevelopment and what it means for York.
Watch the full video for a closer look at what’s planned and where things are at.