In 2020, Greater Sydney Parklands exhibited a draft Landscape Structure Plan for Callan Park. The draft plan drew from consultation and discussions with the community over many years, emphasising what people value about Callan Park and what improvements they want to see.
After careful analysis of the feedback provided by the community, and refinement of the plan in response to this feedback, the Landscape Structure Plan was endorsed by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in January 2021. It recommends opening up views to the water and revitalising the foreshore by removing unsafe and intrusive buildings, investigating the removal of dilapidated buildings and ancillary structures, upgrading others, and ensuring the unique heritage and picturesque waterfront setting is celebrated and enhanced.
The State Government has committed $14 million in funding to deliver the Landscape Structure Plan (LSP), with work already underway to deliver the first stages of waterfront revitalisation. Heritage buildings are being renovated, 2 intrusive buildings are being demolished (work on site starting 17 September), and designs are being finalised for Waterfront Green the new amenities block, and a new carpark at Wharf Road.
Greater Sydney Parklands is committed to consulting with the community every step of the way. Community webinars have been held (see below), and more will be held as designs progress. Follow us on Facebook and sign up to our e-news to keep updated.
On September 28, Greater Sydney Parklands held a webinar where the design team presented two design choices for the new accessible amenities block and draft designs for the new Wharf Road carpark. If you missed the presentation, the recording is now available.
You can also view the presentation for the amenities and carpark.
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.
Demolition of waterfront buildings
The first stage of opening up the waterfront, improving views and sightlines will be realised with the demolition of two intrusive buildings, 505 and 514.
The works are approved under development consent DA/2021/0161 and include new turfing once the buildings are removed.
Subject to COVID Public Health Orders, the work on site will commence on 17 September and take approximately 11 weeks to complete. Demolition will be carried out between the hours of 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Minor works may take place on Saturdays between 8am to 1pm.
During this time access to the sports fields, Bay Run and broader parklands will be maintained. Wharf Road will be closed to traffic on weekdays with the exception of residents. Traffic will be diverted via Cottage Way, and traffic controllers will be in place to guide vehicles. A Traffic Management Plan will be in place to minimise disruption to residents and park users. Parking on Wharf Road will be restricted to enable the safe passage of vehicles and construction traffic.
At times of high testing demand, access to the COVID-19 testing clinic at the University of Tasmania will be rerouted through the entrance at Gate A.
Your patience is appreciated during this time.
Heritage building transformation
A number of heritage buildings have been extensively renovated to be for community use. A proposed public tender process to lease two of the buildings, Bonneyview (Gardener's Cottage) and Building 497 will open in early October. Find out more on Restoring Heritage Buildings.
Three heritage buildings have been transformed and will be activated for the benefit of the community, including the Summerhouse, the Repatriation Ward building 497, and Bonnyview. A fourth building, the Cane Room, is undergoing restoration and repair in readiness for future use.
