MTS Heritage was engaged by John Holland on behalf of Transport for NSW to undertake an archaeological monitoring program and prepare an Excavation Report for works associated with the Sydney Terminal Area Reconfiguration, Stage 2. The archaeological monitoring program was conducted over three years, from June 2020 to May 2023, in accordance with two S.60 Approvals. Fiona Leslie, MTS Heritage’s Principal Archaeologist, was the approved Excavation Director.

Central Station is the largest railway station and transport interchange in NSW and is recognised for its historic, aesthetic and technical heritage values and its research potential. Central Station was built on the site of two earlier Sydney railway terminals, the former Devonshire Street cemetery and several colonial era buildings, including the former Benevolent Asylum. As a result, the remains of former graves, structures and buildings that reflect its history continue to be discovered within its curtilage. The historical archaeology at Central Station contributes to its heritage values and significance and forms part of its heritage listing.

Archaeological monitoring conducted by MTS Heritage, with the assistance of Artefact Heritage Services Pty Ltd, identified a range of historical archaeological relics and buried works. These relics and works included:
- intact remains of former nineteenth and twentieth century brick ash pits.
- intact remains of nineteenth century brick inspection pits associated with the former 1870s Locomotive Workshops.
- disturbed footings of the 1860s Carriage Shed.
- a substantially intact brick wagon turntable dated to the 1870s.
- a section of the Prince Alfred Sewer built in c.1855.
- buried in-situ sleepers and rails, and
- later brick footings and floor surfaces associated with former twentieth century buildings.

The results of the archaeological monitoring program were documented in a detailed Excavation Report and provide new information about the history and archaeological potential of the Sydney Yard. It is hoped that the results of this stage of the STAR program will inform future archaeological investigations at Central Railway Station.