Apple's Sydney store plans leaked by council

Despite Apple's attempts to keep plans for an official store in Sydney under wraps, council documents have offered a glimpse of what's to come.

Apple today confirmed that its first official store in the southern hemisphere will open in Sydney. The news was made public after documents were released yesterday by Sydney City Council.

According to a report in The Age, the council has granted permission to construction firm Kell & Rigby for a full road closure of George Street between King and Market Streets, for various evenings in January and February. It's thought the road closure will be necessary for the construction of Apple's store.

Apart from stating that it plans to open a flagship retail outlet in Sydney, Apple has refused to comment on any other aspects of the store.

Some reports have suggested that the store will not be ready to open until mid-2008, but a spokesperson for Apple would not confirm any dates at this stage.

The Sydney store will be styled on Apple's famous Fifth Avenue outlet in New York, and will cost over AU$23 million to build.

"There's lots of rumours and speculation around the store," the Apple spokesperson said, "but at this stage all that we can confirm is that we are opening a store in Sydney."