Broadway Local Centre
Broadway Local Centre is located at the intersection of three major roads; The Boulevarde, Coronation Parade, and Liverpool Road. The local centre services the community with a collection of shops a short walking distance from the surrounding residential area. For a small centre, Broadway is remarkably filled with history and important historical landmarks. The local centre’s foundation can be traced back to the early 1900’s, and the centre gets it’s distinctive name from a building which has ‘Broadway’ displayed across the top of it’s façade. This building still stands today, and many residents of Strathfield refer to the local centre as ‘Enfield Broadway’ or simply ‘Broadway’. Between 1901 and 1948, Broadway Local Centre was connected by tram via a line which ran from Ashfield to Mortlake and Cabarita via Burwood. The line was first established in 1891 as a shuttle service between Ashfield and Enfield, and in 1901 the major extension to Ashfield and Cabarita via Burwood was completed. Sydney used to have the largest tram system in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, as well as being amongst the largest tram systems in the world.
Following World War 2 and the government resources and spending the war demanded, much of Sydney’s network fell into disrepair and a now infamous planning decision to remove all of the city’s trams in place of buses was implemented. As a result, the tram which once connected Broadway Local Centre with Ashfield, Burwood, Cabarita and Mortlake was removed and replaced with a bus service which continues to this day. Other notable items of interest in the vicinity of Broadway Local Centre include the Enfield War Memorial and the Coronation Parade Arch. The Enfield War Memorial is over 100 years old, having been unveiled on 11th October, 1924 to commemorate the Great War of 1914-1919 (now known as World War 1) and to pay respect to those who served in the conflict.
Over the years, additional plaques commemorating later conflicts have also been included on the memorial. The Coronation Parade Arch is another important historical landmark located at the northern end of Coronation Reserve, a linear park which runs parallel to Coronation Parade. The arch was opened by the Governor of New South Wales at the time, Lord Wakehurst, on 5th June, 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth (later known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother after King George VI’s death and the coronation of their daughter, Queen Elizabeth II). The arch was restored by Strathfield Council in 2001 and still stands today as a grand entrance feature to Coronation Reserve.
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Tram
The Enfield Tramway, established in 1891, originally connected Ashfield to Enfield and was later extended through Burwood and Concord to Mortlake, with a branch to Cabarita added in 1907. Electrified in 1912 and double-tracked in 1915, the tramline played a crucial role in shaping development along its route, particularly enhancing access to The Broadway shopping precinct and connecting it to Strathfield and Burwood rail services. Running along Coronation Parade and through what is now Coronation Reserve, the tram helped stimulate retail and residential growth in the area. The service ceased in 1948 due to rising bus competition, but its legacy remains embedded in the urban layout and community infrastructure of the district.
Acacia, grevillea, eucalyptus
The natural environment surrounding the Broadway shopping precinct was originally part of the Cumberland Plain Woodland, a vegetation community dominated by eucalypt species growing on clay-rich soils derived from Wianamatta Shale. Characteristic trees included grey box, forest red gum, and narrow-leaved ironbark, accompanied by an understorey of native grasses and flowering shrubs. Urbanisation and commercial development significantly altered the landscape, but remnants of native vegetation persist in nearby reserves and streetscapes. Planted species such as brush boxes, grevilleas, and various acacias now complement the remaining native flora. These trees and shrubs not only contribute to the visual identity of the Broadway precinct but also play an essential ecological role, supporting local birdlife, pollinators, and contributing to the biodiversity and cultural memory of the area.
Façade
The Broadway, also known as Enfield Broadway, is a historic shopping precinct at the intersection of Liverpool Road, The Boulevarde, and Coronation Parade—straddling the boundary between Strathfield and Burwood Councils. It was largely developed in the early 1900s by Ebenezer Ford, a visionary entrepreneur often credited with building the suburb of Enfield. With the expansion of the tram line connecting to Burwood and Mortlake, the area became more accessible, driving population growth and commercial development. Ford’s continued investments saw the construction of shops, cottages, a cinema, a bank, and even the Enfield Council Chambers, helping transform Broadway into a thriving local centre that still serves the community today.
Coronation parade
Coronation Parade in Strathfield South forms the boundary between the Strathfield and Burwood Municipalities, following the lines of early land grants from the 1800s. Originally part of Punchbowl Road, it was renamed The Boulevarde in 1924 and later Coronation Parade in 1937, after the construction of the Coronation Arch marking King George VI’s coronation. That same year, the adjacent Reserve was upgraded into a park. The street also once hosted the Enfield to Mortlake/Cabarita tram line, which ran along its eastern edge.
Magpie
Australian magpies are a familiar and iconic presence in the Broadway shopping area, where they can often be seen foraging on grassy verges or calling from nearby trees. Native to the Sydney region, magpies play an important ecological role by controlling insect populations and helping to maintain the health of local ecosystems. Known for their distinctive warbling call, they are deeply woven into Australian culture — often associated with suburban life, schoolyards, and seasonal swooping during breeding time.
Cyclists
Cycling is a well-loved pastime in the surrounding area, providing recreation for both locals and visitors. It supports travel between neighbouring suburbs and council areas and offers a convenient route for those heading toward established cycleways, such as those located further south near the Cooks River.