NSW Premier Mike Baird has laid flowers at the make-shift shrine to the two victims of the Sydney cafe siege, appealing to the city to come together.
"What we need to do is to come together like never before," he said on Tuesday morning.
Sydneysiders have been left shocked by the hostage crisis, which lasted 16-and-a-half gruelling hours, after a lone gunman walked into the Lindt cafe in Martin Place just before 10am on Monday.
A solemn and visibly shaken Mr Baird said: "They're trying to express what we all feel."
"It's a terrible tragedy."
Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres joined Mr Baird on Tuesday.
Mr Baird said a lot of people are hurting.
"We are so proud of everyone and right now though our thoughts are with the victims, families and their friends and we need to do every thing we can to support them at this time.
"Everyone is hurting a lot."
Asked if Martin Place would get a permanent memorial to the victims and one of Sydney's most terrifying days, Mr Baird said the city must first get through the terrible ordeal.
"It will always be a very special place for us. Let's just get through it."
Police tape has now been strung up on either side of the shrine cordoning off an official area.
The Governor-General visited the shrine to pay his respects.
Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynne arrived just before 11am.
It is understood the prime minister is due to arrive later during the morning.
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