Year 12 Geography Fieldwork: Pyrmont and the Central Business District of Sydney

Pyrmont Photo 1

Year 12 Geography students travelled by train from Blacktown Station to Town Hal Station to observe the operation of urban dynamics in the CBD and Pyrmont.

It was a beautiful day as we walked through various parts of Pyrmont to observe the changes that took place over the last century. The old wharves, renewal of Darling Harbour, the conversion from heavy rail to light rail, the gentrification of old cottages, the protection of heritage, the establishment of new commercial enterprises, the construction of modern apartments and the transformation to parkland along the foreshore demonstrate the significance of the urban renewal of a suburb that once had the unenviable reputation of ageing industries, a polluted environment and social disintegration.

The group marvelled at the Ways Terrace, a listed heritage building that has the only heritage listed clothes lines in Australia. Students observed, photographed and discussed the geographical issues past and present.

The highlight of the day was the ferry trip from Pyrmont to Circular Quay via Balmain. This provided a much needed rest for tired feed and the chance to observe changes in the CBD from a different perspective. The changes along George Street were noted with construction of the new light rail. There was chaos, noise and confusion with lunch hour crowds. A much needed late lunch at the Queen Victoria Building was enjoyed by all. The completion of this fieldwork forms the bases of a major assessment task but it is in understanding the workings of the beautiful city of Sydney that the value of this fieldwork is revealed.

Ms Martin, Ms Smith and Year 12 Geography students