A stormwater harvesting system at Sydney Park

Since 2004, the City of Sydney has invested $23.25 million transforming a former brick-making factory on the site into the beautiful Sydney Park. On Saturday 17 July, the City officially opened an $11.3 million stormwater harvesting system to support wetlands and wildlife in the park.

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

“We have added a system to capture contaminants and sediment, boardwalks, picnic tables and better signage,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who formally opened the upgrade. “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.”

Sydney Park offers a recreational area for people of all ages, featuring a cafe, a children’s play area and a revitalised village green. Construction of a children’s bike track is currently underway, while work will begin on a City farm later this year.

“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,” the Lord Mayor said.

The weekend also saw Moore open an upgrade to Bamal Way, a 150 m green link completing the pedestrian connection between Coulson Street and Sydney Park Road. The elevated thoroughfare features plants growing in retaining terraces by stairs and a ramp connecting the open space with pavement a few metres below on Sydney Park Road.

A new section of ramp next to the stairs connects the pre-existing ramp, which had been locked off until the missing link was completed. Throughout the park, a landscaped pathway with turf, garden areas and trees work around retained trees.

“By opening up this new connection, we are improving access for the growing population of Erskineville to the open space and to St Peters Station,” the Lord Mayor said.

“And the City is currently working with the RMS to get a new signalised pedestrian crossing for Sydney Park Road at the top of Bamal Way to connect the renewal area of Ashmore Estate.”

Images of Sydney Park courtesy of the City of Sydney.