Greater Sydney Parklands manages 38 of the 61 hectares of Callan Park, including the waterfront and central park areas (see Callan Park Management Precincts map [PDF 2.3MB]).
In 2020, a draft Landscape Structure Plan for Callan Park was put on public exhibition. The draft plan was informed by feedback from consultation with the community over many years, focusing on what visitors value about Callan Park and what improvements they would like to see in the future.
Reflecting community feedback, the Landscape Structure Plan was refined and endorsed by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes, in January 2021. The plan recommended a comprehensive revitalisation of the waterfront at Callan Park through:
- removal of unsafe and intrusive buildings
- restoration and activation of heritage buildings for community use
- opening up views to the water
- a network of pathways and more open space along the waterfront
- enhanced facilities for park visitors.
The NSW Government committed $14 million in funding to deliver the Landscape Structure Plan in January 2021, with works now underway in a number of areas, including:
- demolition of 2 intrusive buildings on the waterfront
- progressive renovation of heritage buildings – Bonnyview, The Cane Room and the Repatriation Ward
- approved plans for a re-design of Waterfront Green featuring new pathways, trees, seating and an expanded green space
- approved plans for a new accessible amenities block to service Waterfront Green and the Bay Run
- designs have been developed for a new car park at Wharf Road, and a DA has been lodged with Inner West Council.
In November 2022, the NSW Government committed a further $7.2 million in funding, taking the total budget to $21.2 million, which will see further delivery of the Landscape Structure Plan, including:
- $1.7 million for the new publicly accessible toilets along the waterfront, a first for people with disability and users of the Bay Run
- $2.5 million for adaptive re-use of the heritage-listed Building 497, providing a long-term home for the Balmain and District Football Club and new community meeting spaces
- $3 million to rebuild the Bay Run between King George Oval and Waterfront Green, separating pedestrians from cyclists, and removing vehicles from the waterfront, currently a significant missing link on the Bay Run
- the provision of a temporary replacement car park closely located to the Waterfront Sports field by recycling hardstand paving – this temporary car park will be in place until the permanent car park at Wharf Road is built, subject to council approval and funding.
Work to Waterfront Green has already begun, and views to Iron Cove have already been opened up. These improvements will create a fit-for-purpose waterfront area for public enjoyment, including areas for quiet relaxation, picnics, more shade trees, walking, jogging and cycling, new accessible toilets, bins and areas for dogs and their owners.
Coming soon, the creation of an interim car park and a well-lit accessible pathway off Military Drive will trigger the end of vehicle access along the Bay Run. This important upgrade will provide a missing link in the Bay Run by removing cars to improve safety and the experience of our visitors.
Waterfront Green will open early 2024, while work on the Bay Run will start next year.
Greater Sydney Parklands is committed to consulting with the community every step of the way and has held a number of webinars and community information sessions to reveal designs. Below are links to webinars that have been held already that reveal the designs and community questions and answers.
You can also view the presentation for the amenities and car park.
The recording of the first webinar held on Tuesday 10 August, is still available if you missed out: Callan Park Waterfront revitalisation–Community webinar 10 August 2021.