Plans for Cammeray Parklands green space
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has revealed its draft plans for creating a new parkland in Cammeray on the site that has been used by the government for construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel project.
When construction is complete, the 2.5 hectares situated between the Warringah Freeway and Cammeray Golf Course will be returned to the community as Cammeray Parklands.
The draft plans have been developed in collaboration with North Sydney Council, who will maintain the parklands once they open in 2028.
The draft plans propose a multi-use half court (basketball or pickleball), a five-a-side synthetic soccer pitch and outdoor fitness station, plus active transport connections (cycling, walking and jogging pathways).
Willoughby MP Tim James welcomed the draft plans but said there was room for improvement.
“They’re proposing to keep this big imposing retaining wall built at Bells Avenue and Warringah Road, which was built when a work zone was established,” Mr James told NL. “It’s not a natural feature and the residents below will be looking at the Great Wall of Cammeray.”
Mr James also advocated for a larger multi-purpose field to accommodate more than five-a-side soccer and a full multi-purpose court to serve different sports. “It could be basketball, netball, pickleball or tennis,” said Mr James.
He also suggested ‘a small playground for kids.’
North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker welcomed the return of green space to the community. “Open space is vital to the health, wellbeing and liveability of our community, particularly in an increasingly dense area like North Sydney,” Mayor Baker said.
“Council remains firmly committed to protecting and maximising public open space wherever possible.”
Mayor Baker said the draft plan did not fully compensate for the impacts the road works have had on the area.
“While Cammeray has experienced a net loss of open space as a result of major road infrastructure, the outcome proposed is better than what was initially feared,” Mayor Baker said.
The draft plans were on exhibition until 25 September. TfNSW will provide a summary of the community feedback and send a final design for approval to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.