North Sydney Council set to endorse ‘Cec Pearsall’ as permanent name for Young Street Plaza

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9 September 2026

North Sydney Council is set to endorse ‘Cec Pearsall Plaza’ as the official permanent name for the new pedestrian space on Young Street in Neutral Bay. The plaza officially opened in April this year, following several years in a temporary configuration.

The decision follows an extensive public consultation process conducted through the Council’s ‘YourSay’ platform. The initiative attracted 1,301 webpage visits, 37 online survey responses, five written submissions, and a formal proposal from the local Parks Precinct.

Public feedback revealed three main contenders: Cec Pearsall Plaza, Young Street Plaza, and Wirra-Birra, each receiving four individual submissions. However, the proposal for Cec Pearsall Plaza emerged as the leading choice with the key backing of the Parks Precinct.

Cec Pearsall was a lifelong resident who lived in the area for 97 years, including many years in Earle Street, Cremorne. A cinema projectionist by trade for five decades, Pearsall dedicated much of his life to community advocate work, supporting local initiatives such as Nutcote (May Gibbs’ Cottage), the Police Boys Club, Neutral Bay Primary School, and the Crows Nest Community Centre. He was also an active participant in the Council’s Bushcare program and contributed significantly to the local heritage collection through oral history recordings and donated items. In recognition of his decades of service, Mr Pearsall was named North Sydney Citizen of the Year in 1993 before passing away in 2016.

Council Historian Dr Ian Hoskins endorsed the proposal, describing Pearsall as a “kind, gentle and generous man” whose legacy strongly merits permanent recognition in the town centre.

While ‘Wirra Birra’, a First Nations name for Neutral Bay traditionally associated with gum trees—received notable support across several variations, it was deemed unsuitable under NSW Geographical Names Board guidelines. The name is already used for Wirra Birra Park at Subbase Platypus, creating potential for geographical confusion.

Other names submitted during the consultation process included WL Vernon, Gumut, Kate Grenville, The Bay, Friendship Plaza, Village Green Plaza, Maple Leaf, and Cammeragal Square. Council is expected to formally approve the naming of Cec Pearsall Plaza at its upcoming meeting.