AusLeisure

Following a multi-million dollar upgrade, Sydney Park has received an extensive water reuse system to help wetlands thrive and support wildlife.

The $11.3 million storm water harvesting system will capture and clean enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool every day, providing a sustainable supply for the park and its wetlands and returning any remaining water to Alexandria Canal.

The scheme was opened on Saturday 18th July with an event offering free entertainment, refreshments and fun all-ages activities including costume-making and a Taronga Zoo animal display for local residents and the wider community.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore spoke at the event and City staff were on hand with information about the project, which is Sydney's largest stormwater harvesting and water re-use facility. It also included new pathways and viewing platforms, a water cascade, bridges and picnic tables.

Commenting on the scheme, Lord Mayor Moore stated “thanks to a lot of creative work by the City, Sydney Park is a much-loved open space, which has been made even better as a result of this water recycling system that will sustain its lawns and wetlands for generations of Sydneysiders to enjoy..

“We have added a system to capture contaminants and sediment, boardwalks, picnic tables and better signage. With cascades and bush areas, the wetlands are already attracting new wildlife to the park, which has the highest population of native bird species in the local area, including 22 wetland species.

“Half of the one million people who use the park each year are from our local government area, while the other half travels from across Sydney to spend time here with their families and friends.”

The City built the water re-use system in partnership with the Federal Government, which provided $5.4 million of the $11.3 million budget, through the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan.

It is the third largest stormwater-harvesting system in NSW and the largest City project in Sydney Park.

Since 2004, the City has invested $23.25 million transforming a former brick-making factory on the site into a beautiful regional park. It was recently recognised with an international Green Flag award.

Sydney Park now offers active and passive recreation for people of all ages and serves as a much-needed ‘green lung’ for a heavily populated part of Sydney. A café, an award-winning all-abilities children’s play area and a revitalised village green have all been built by the City.

Built by Design Landscapes, a Sydney based landscape contractor specialising in the construction of public domain and landscape infrastructure projects, the new Sydney Park is a triumph for Sydney's green spaces.

Click here for more information.

20th December 2014 - CHILDREN’S BIKE TRACK TO ENCOURAGE ACTIVITY AND CYCLING SKILLS

11th November 2014 - HARVESTED WATER TO REVITALISE SYDNEY PARK

25th July 2014 - SYDNEY’S PARKS PROVIDE PLENTY OF SATISFACTION 

21st March 2014 - NEW SYDNEY PLAYGROUND LETS IMAGINATIONS RUN WILD

29th November 2013 - NSW GOVERNMENT REPORT FINDS STATEWIDE LOSS OF PARKS AND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

12th November 2013 - CITY OF SYDNEY’S POOLS, PARKS AND LANEWAYS WIN AT DESIGN AWARDS

14th February 2012 - REVITALISED FOLEY PARK JUST WHAT THE DR. ORDERED

28th December 2011 - FOUNDATION CHIEF URGES AUSTRALIANS TO MAKE THE MOST OF ‘PARKS FOR PEOPLE’

10th May 2011 - PARKS ESSENTIAL FOR HUMAN HEALTH

19th April 2010 - HEART FOUNDATION SLAMS COUNCIL ‘SWEAT TAXES’

16th April 2010 - PARKS A KEY TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

15th March 2010 - SYDNEY OPENS NEW HARBOURSIDE PARK

27th June 2008 - PARKS FORUM HIGHLIGHTS VALUE OF PARKS

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.