Western Sydney Parklands - Southern Parklands Vision 2036

WESTERN

SYDNEY

PARKLANDS SOUTHERN PARKLANDS VISION 2036

June 2017

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

1

Acknowledgments The Trust thanks the individuals, government agencies and organisations who have provided their feedback and input to the Southern Parklands Vision.

The Trust also thanks the members of the Western Sydney Parklands Trust Board and the Southern Parklands Vision Reference Group for their input.

VISION REFERENCE GROUP Julie Bindon (Chair)

JBA

Christopher Brown AM

Western Sydney University, Western Sydney Leadership

Dialogue, Taylor Street Advisory

Marina Go

Wests Tigers

Jane Rotsey

Sydney Airport Corporation Limited

Barbara Schaffer

DPE, Office of Government Architect

Tim Williams

Committee for Sydney

PROJECT TEAM Andersen Hunter Horne Landscape Architects and Planners and team leaders Roberts Day Urban Design & Planning

Lord Cultural Services Cultural Planning culture Creating Cultural Capital

FINAL DRAFT Date of Issue - June 2017

es • Planning the Experience • Building the Vision

2

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Table of Contents THE VISION AT A GLACE

4

1 BACKGROUND

7

1.1 Southern Parklands Qualities and Values 1.2 Past Planning for the Southern Parklands

8 16

2 PARKLANDS AT THE HEART OF TWO CITIES

18

2.1 Emergence of the Central and Western Cities 2.2 Influencer Projects 2.3 A Range of Roles - City, District & Local 2.4 The Western Sydney Community 2.5 Park Use 2.6 Benefits of the Parklands to the Community

19 20 22 23 25 26

3 THE VISION

27

3.1 Approach and Objectives

28

3.2

Principle Outcomes Engage with Nature Optimise the Edges Cluster and Integrate Uses Recreation and Leisure for the City, District and Local Connecting People to Park and Park to People Water in the Landscape Guide and Influence Infrastructure Build Resilience and Financial Sustainability

30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

3.3

Precinct Visions Cecil Hills Fifteenth Avenue Tenth Avenue Bringelly Road

48 50 52 54 56

3.4 Approach to Delivering the Vision

58

REFERENCES

62

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

3

The Vision at a Glance PURPOSE

VISION PRINCIPLES

This document provides a 20 year Vision for the Southern Parklands, guiding the development, land uses and facilities, and informing the relationship with adjoining infrastructure and development.

The Southern Parklands is 1,500 ha of the Western Sydney Parklands corridor (28% of the Parklands overall) bordered by Elizabeth Drive in the north and Bringelly Road in the south. This area is currently underdeveloped for recreational and leisure uses.

QUAKERS HILL

DEAN PARK

BLACKTOWN MT DRUITT

BLACKTOWN DOONSIDE

ROOTY HILL EASTERN CREEK

CONSERVE, PROTECT AND ENHANCE Conservation, protection and enhancement of the Southern Parkland’s natural, cultural and scenic values is the foundation strategy shaping the Vision.

ENGAGE WITH NATURE Nature experiences will remain as a core parkland function. The community can experience the Cumberland Plain in ‘user friendly’ hybrid landscapes that encourage access and build a stronger affinity with the natural environment.

OPTIMISE THE EDGES More than 50% (or 20 km) of the Southern Parklands is adjacent to residential communities. These ‘edges’ offer a significant opportunity to establish new relationships with those communities to facilitate awareness, understanding, and use of the Parklands.

CLUSTER AND INTERGRATE USES Clustering and integrating multiple uses can create unique local and regional destinations, provide viable business opportunities, enhance the Parklands identity, promote active living and wellness and improve amenity for local residents.

RECREATION AND LEISURE FOR THE CITY, DISTRICT AND LOCAL The Southern Parklands can address different roles for city, district and local users, each optimising the unique landscape and visual qualities of the place.

CONNECT PEOPLE TO PARK, AND PARK TO PEOPLE

HORSELY PARK

3.5km

at widest

WETHERILL PARK

FAIRFIELD

CECIL PARK

‘Connecting’ communities to the Southern Parklands, including awareness and sense of belonging, and providing physical routes, journeys and arrival experiences, can increase parkland use and enjoyment.

ABBOTSBURY

WATER IN THE LANDSCAPE CECIL HILLS

0.46km

at narrowest MIDDLETON GRANGE AUSTRAL WEST HOXTON

1500

HORNINGSEA PARK

Ha

GUIDE AND INFLUENCE INFRASTRUCTURE

LIVERPOOL

8.5km length

LEPPINGTON

Southern Parklands

Retention and expansion of water in the landscape, including water contact and water-based recreation, can attract visitors to the Parkland, particularly through summer.

Effective liaison and cooperation in infrastructure planning and design will minimise environmental, visual and recreational impacts for greatest community benefit.

BUILD RESILIENCE & FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY The Vision can provide a basis to delivering a resilient and financial sustainable Southern Parklands that can evolve and adapt to meet the needs of its environment, users and operations, and encourage and respond to new users and opportunities. The Vision aims to create a sustainable revenue stream for Parklands management and operations, while adding to the Parklands vibrancy and land use.

The Trust will examine external funding partners and options.

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

PRECINCT PLANS CECIL HILLS PRECINCT

TENTH AVENUE PRECINCT

A destination for the Central and Western Cities with a range of recreational and lifestyle tourism uses, including major outdoor events. The area boasts scenic slopes and valleys, and an expanded focus on water. The adventure sports role of the Wylde Mountain Bike Track is expanded on the north facing wooded slopes adjoining Elizabeth Drive.

A small integrated hub of retail, business and community uses centred on the hilltop with views to the east, and flanked by urban farming to the north and east. Provides for passive recreation in the cleared slopes either side of the central wooded ridge of Shale Hills.

FIFTEENTH AVENUE PRECINCT Adjoining the canal corridor and centred on a lakeside public domain, this area allows a mix of retail, business and community uses. Opportunities for bridle trail (horse riding), cycling, walking and jogging.

BRINGELLY ROAD PRECINCT Forms the southern edge of the Parklands and integrates land uses and activity with the Leppington Town Centre to the east.

A major sports facility adjoining the hub is identified, which can be supported by sports medicine and training facilities and accommodation.

Photo looking south from ridge Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

5

IVE ELIZABETH DR

Cecil Hills

M7

FIFTEEN TH

Middleton Grange

AVENUE

Austral

Key

N

Natural and Cultural

ENUE

West Hoxton

CO WP AST UR ER OA D

TENTH AV

Passive Recreation Indoor Outdoor Recreation

Urban Farming Business Hubs

North Leppington

Tourism Community Infrastructure Easements

BRINGEL LY ROAD

Roads Existing Dams New Water Bodies WSP Boundary

Figure 1 - Southern Parklands Land Use Plan

6

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Land Use Plan

1

BACKGROUND Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

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1.1 Southern Parklands LANDFORM AND VIEWS

HABITAT - VEGETATION COMMUNITIES

1

Figure 2 - Landform & Views

The “Scenic Hills” 1 provide the highest point in the Parklands with panoramic views to the Blue Mountains, to the south and east. In the south a transition to more undulating lower lying topography occurs with the Upper Prospect Water Supply Canal forming a man-made ridge along the Parkland’s west edge.

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Figure 3 - Vegetation Communities

Key

N

High Points Ridge Lines Direction of Views Contours Canal (SW Infrastructure)

There are four threatened ecological communities that are likely to provide habitat for threatened flora and fauna. In general, the Southern Parklands provide critical habitat and a diversity of good quality vegetation.

Key

N

Castlereagh Swamp Woodlands Cumerland Plain Woodland River Flat Eucalypt Forest Western Sydney Dry Rainforest & Moist Woodland on Shale

WATER - CONSTRUCTED

WATER - WATERCOURSES

1

2

2

Figure 4 - Watercourses

The Parklands lie between the Kemps Creek and Hinchinbrook Creek catchments with the Upper Prospect Water Supply Canal providing the dividing landform.

Natural tributaries feed Hinchinbrook Creek to the east side of the Parklands.

Figure 5 - Constructed

Key

N

Natural Watercourse

Farm dams and the Upper Prospect Water Supply Canal 1 are a dominant feature of Southern Parklands character. Larger dams occur in the north, with the Liverpool Off-take Reservoir 2 a controlled access facility.

Key

N

Exisiting Dam Canal (SW Infrastructure)

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

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1.1 Southern Parklands HABITAT - EXISTING BIOBANKING

ABORIGINAL HERITAGE

Figure 6 - Existing Biobanking

Figure 7 - Aboriginal Heritage

There are currently three Biobanking sites and one Carbon Credit Area within the Southern Parklands, which are areas of very high ecological constraint. The Vision identifies the potential for additional Biobanking sites.

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Key

N

Biobanking Sites Carbon Credit Areas

The landscape is likely to have been used for hunting, transit, look-out points and short-term camping spots. Kemps Creek Nature Reserve has the highest potential for artefacts and in areas of largely undisturbed remnant vegetation.

The Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) has records of artefacts from the northern section of the Southern Parklands.

Key

N

Registerd (AHIMS) Artefact Sites

Natural Watercourse Non-Certified / Gazetted Conservation Areas

HABITAT - CONSERVATION

Figure 8 - Conservation

Vegetation in gazetted conservation areas and non-certified lands is protected under legislation. Conservation areas can be connected with bushland habitat corridors within the Parklands while opportunities to reinforce links to ‘green’ corridors outside the Southern Parklands occur at Parkland edges.

Key

N

Non-Certified / Gazetted Conservation Areas

Bushland Corridors Outside Parklands

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1.1 Southern Parklands HISTORIC HERITAGE

INTERNAL ACCESS

Figure 9 - Non-Aboriginal Heritage

Figure 10 - Internal Access

The earliest non-Aboriginal activity in the area took place in the early 19th century.

Two large land holdings covered most of the Parklands which were predominantly pastoral in use. Smaller holdings had a more diverse range of agriculture. Local timber was cleared and logged. Remnants of past land uses: rural (fences) and water infrastructure are evident. The Sydney Water Canal is listed on the State Heritage Register.

12

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Key

N

Upper Canal System Significant Remnant Vegetation

Existing Road / Track

There is the basis of a track network through the Parklands from north to south supported by fewer selected east west links. Three bridges across the M7 Motorway link to communities to the east. Nodal pedestrian entries are mainly on the eastern side of the site to connect to existing communities. The Upper Prospect Water Supply Canal currently forms a strong barrier to pedestrian access from the west.

Key

N

Existing Parkland Tracks Existing Internal Road Existing Bridge Over Canal

EXTERNAL OPEN SPACE CORRIDORS

Figure 11 - Open Space Corridors

A network of existing open space corridors serving drainage, pedestrian and cycle access and habitat intersect with the Parklands on its eastern edge. To the west there is an opportunity to link the Parklands and Kemps Creek with multi-purpose corridors.

Key

N

Non-Certified / Gazetted Conservation Areas

Bushland Corridors Outside Parklands

‘Green Grid’ Corridors

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1.1 Southern Parklands EXTERNAL ROADS AND CENTRES

Figure 12 - Roads and Centres

The Southern Parklands is dissected east west by Fifteenth Avenue and bookended to the south by Bringelly Road. The proposed M12 Motorway impacts on the northern edge of the Parklands. A district centre will be located at Leppington with a number of existing and future neighbourhood centres to the east and west of the Southern Parklands.

Key

N

Major Roads Existing Streets Urban Centres M12 RMS Proposed Route Existing Rail Network

14

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

CURRENT LAND USE

1

1

2

3

4

Key

Figure 13 - Land Use

N

Business Hubs

Post agricultural / grazing land predominates in the north. South of Fifteenth Avenue several current rural leases remain. Infrastructure easements (electricity, gas and water) run north to south. Existing recreation is focused on Wylde Mountain Bike Track 1 and the Sydney International Shooting Centre 2 . Business hubs are located at Fifteenth Avenue 3 and Bringelly Road 4 .

Active Recreation - Wylde Passive Recreation - Shale Hills

Exisiting Leases Infrastructure Easements Urban Centres Biobanking Sites Carbon Credit Areas

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

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1.2 Past Planning for Southern Parklands SOUTHERN PARKLANDS, 2017

Past planning documents and studies for the Southern Parklands significant to this Vision include: THE WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS PLAN OF MANAGEMENT 2020 Adopted 25 January 2011 the Plan sets out a proposed land use framework and priorities to 2020. The Plan of Management is now subject to review, to be completed at the end of 2017.

WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS PLAN OF MANAGEMENT SUPPLEMENT A Plan of Management supplement was adopted in 2014. The supplement identifies the new business opportunities and proposed Business Hubs in the Parklands. In the Southern Parklands three Business Hubs are identified adjacent to Elizabeth Drive, Fifteenth Avenue and Bringelly Road.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS LANDUSE STUDY – NSW GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT 2011 An opportunities study for the Southern Parklands was prepared by the NSW Government Architects in September 2011. This study undertook a site analysis, strategic land use concepts, an access plan and reviewed potential for Business Hubs sites in the Southern Parklands.

BUSINESS HUB PLANNING

Rolling pastoral lands in north

Since the release of the Western Sydney Parklands Plan of Management Supplement approvals have been gained for the development of Business Hubs at Fifteenth Avenue (stage 1) and Bringelly Road. Planning for the third Business Hub has not yet progressed.

DISTRICT PLANS The Southern Parklands is part of the South West District. For each District a Plan is being prepared by the Greater Sydney Commission.

The District Plans for the Greater Sydney Region set out the opportunities, priorities and actions and provide the means by which the Greater Sydney Region Plan, A Plan for Growing Sydney can be put into action at a local level.

The goal of these Plans is to have well-coordinated, integrated and effective planning for land use, transport and infrastructure.

The Plans are currently at draft stage and will be finalised by the end of 2017.

The Upper Prospect Water Supply Canal

16

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Farm dam in north below Scenic Hills

Bringelly Road

Tenth Avenue

Fifteenth Avenue Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

17

2 18

THE PARKLAND AT THE HEART OF TWO CITIES

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

18

2.1 Emergence of the Central and Western Cities

Figure 14 - The Three Cities, Source: Draft South West District Plan

The release of the draft District Plans by the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) in late 2016 marks a significant milestone in the future planning of the Sydney Region.

The draft Plans articulate the vision of three Sydney Cities: the existing harbour city, an evolving river city focused around Parramatta; and a third new parkland city focused around the new Western Sydney Airport.

The draft South Western District Plan places great significance on the Southern Parklands in particular the open space values and the scenic qualities of the landscape.

Specifically, the draft District Plan foreshadows the role the Southern Parklands has to play as an open space and recreational heart for the parklands city.

A number of the strategies and actions in the draft District Plan have informed the development of this Vision.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

19

2.2 Influencer Projects To Penrith

To St Marys

To Parramatta

To Parramatta

Weatherill Park

ELIZABE TH

4

Abbotsbury

1

DRIV E

Cecil Hills

Kemps Creek

Badgerys Creek Airport Precinct

FAIRFIELD

Western Sydney Parklands

Mt Vernon

M12 Motorway Preferred Route

Bonnyrigg Heights

Western Sydney Parklands

Future Industrial

Elizabeth Hills

M7 Future Industrial

5

WESTERN SYDNEY PRIORITY GROWTH AREA

AREA OUTER SYDNEY OR BITAL INVESTIGATION

7

Middleton Grange

Hoxton Park Carnes Hill

Leppington North Horningsea Park

BRINGEL LY ROAD

8 SOUTH WEST PRIORITY LAND RELEASE AREA

CAMD

3

LEPPINGTON

EY WAY

Edmondson Park

Edmondson Regional Park

Catherine Fields

East Leppington

M31

N Figure 15 - Influencer Projects

The Southern Parklands lie within a context of a changing urban and infrastructure environment, with a number of significant projects proposed for the south western district.

The implications of these projects for the Southern Parklands need to be considered in parklands planning. The Southern Parklands seek mutual benefit and optimum community outcome from these external projects.

The table on the following page analyses each of these influences, identifying the implications and considerations of each as they relate to the Southern Parklands Vision.

Key

N

Western Sydney Parklands Bringelly Enterprise Corridor

New Growth Areas Existing Communities Adjacent WSP Existing Road Network Existing Rail Network Road Upgrades in Progress Transit Investigation Area

Proposed Rail (Corridor Preservation) Bus (Planned W. Syd Network) Potential Investigation Rail Routes Light Rail (Using Bus Transitway)

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

M5 EN VA LL

Leppington

Catherine Fields North

Marylands

20

LIVERPOOL

Hinchinbrook

2 West Hoxton

Rossmore

South West Rail Link Extension

Austral

6

Bringelly

Lowes Creek

LIVERPOOL

FIFTEEN TH AVEN UE

North Rossmore

North Bringelly

1 2 3

PROJECT

TIMEFRAME

IMPLICATIONS

CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE VISION

M12 Motorway

complete

• preferred RMS alignment dissects

•

l iaise with RMS for better outcome for Parklands and the Western Sydney community

•

l iaise with RMS for offset opportunities where M12 does impact Parklands

• road widening from 2 to 4-6 lanes • 60-80km speed limit • potential central median

•

l iaise with Liverpool Council for multi function road corridor including transport, cycles, and green infrastructure

•

l iaise with Liverpool Council to formalise access points into parklands from Fifteenth Avenue

• road widening from 2 to 4-6 lanes • 80km speed limit • central median • road set down in cutting in parts

•

l iaise with RMS for consideration of long term relationship of Bringelly town centre to Austral community

•

romote enhanced safety and ease of p access between community and town centre

• 5-6km from Parklands • staged implementation programme • potentially too distant for transit

•

e xplore potential for tourism activities offered around half day - day trips

• new communities to west of

•

c onsider edge condition to communities and how to optimise outcomes for communities and parklands

• 7-8km of frontages to existing

•

l iaise with Department of Planning for potential increase to housing densities adjacent Parklands to increase activation along the Parklands edge

• Employment focused zone along

•

c onsider realtionship of Bringelly Road Business Hub to Leppington Town Centre and the enterprise corridor further to the west and the related opportunities for increased integration of landuses for the benefit of the Parklands

•

ow can infrastructure be integrated h sympathetically adjacent Parkland boundaries

•

otential for transport stops located near p Parkland Hubs, activitiy areas and entries

•

ursue best practise urban design p outcomes

2025

Fifteenth Avenue road upgrade

Bringelly Road road Upgrade

2021 indicatively

phase 1 2017 phase 2 2019

4

Western Sydney Airport

phase 1 2026 ongoing

precinct creating major impacts

accommodation

5 6

Outer Sydney Orbital corridor

2033

• limited implications for Parklands

indicatively

Austral Leppington complete North priority 2035 growth area

Parklands generating between 5060,000 population communities between east and west

7

Bringelly Road Enterprise Corridor

ongoing

urban corridor

• Light industrial uses in short to medium term

• Potential to transition to other uses over time

8

Bus Transitway/ Light Rail

2026-27 indicatively

• routes may traverse through the Southern Parklands east-west

• could stops be located in proximity to Parklands

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

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2.3 A Range of Roles To date, the development and community usage of the Parklands has focused on car based, district level visitation to major recreational hubs.

The development of the Central and Western Cities, and the future relationship of the Southern Parklands to existing and new residential communities means that the role of the Parklands will itself evolve.

The Vision must consider the role of the Southern Parklands not only at a district level, but also at the city scale, and local neighbourhood scale.

For each of these perspectives several considerations need to be addressed:

Centennial Parklands - the metropolitan parkland

Lizard Log, Western Sydney Parklands the district parkland

Brigade Park, Edmondson Park – the local parkland

METROPOLITAN SCALE

DISTRICT SCALE

LOCAL SCALE

•

•

Connecting vegetation corridors

•

•

Linking external open space corridors to the Parklands

Have a direct relationship to new and evolving communities including their urban lifestyles and diverse cultural mixes

•

Providing access to water in the landscape for aesthetic benefit, climate mitigation and recreational use

•

Contributing to quality of life of local communities:

•

Potential for metropolitan scale destination recreational spaces (similar to the role of Centennial Parklands to the Harbour City) potential for metropolitan scale anchors: • iconic cultural facilities • university / education

•

• health care • special recreation / leisure offerings •

•

Consider major roads as social infrastructure providing multi-modal integrated outcomes

•

Accessibility - integration of parklands and

•

communities with rail, bus and light rail

•

22

Adaptation of urban density adjoining Parklands to focus population in closer proximity to open space, related facilities and amenity

Relationship to Western Sydney Airport

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

•

•

Optimising district level urban road links as multi-purpose corridors that integrate pedestrian and cycle access, transport, water management and green infrastructure (vegetation canopy and understorey)

• aiding healthy lifestyles • aiding well-being and happiness • bridging of different groups and cultures • bonding the community (building social capital) •

Creating a two-way flow - ‘people to park;

Potential for integrated ‘place making’ hubs or meeting points, where open space converges with urban corridors (i.e. corridors of movement)

• park to people’ -

Potential to link neighbourhood retail service hubs with Parkland hubs encouraging cross movement and activity

• optimise park edges and entrances

• encourage community involvement in planning/ ownership/management

• support local communities with local destinations • enable a relationship with nature •

Recognise that the Southern Parklands will inevitably be interpreted and used as local open space by existing and new adjacent communities

2.4 The Western Sydney Community THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CITIES The District Plans note that while population growth occurs across Sydney, the focus of growth will be concentrated in the Central and Western Cities. While the focus through the Eastern City will be on the infilling of existing communities by using existing or improved open space and public domain, the new communities of the Western city will need new open space, recreation and community infrastructure.

At a city level, communities in the Central and Western Cities will likely be seeking family-friendly experiences that go beyond simple walks and picnics. Access to water recreation will be the focus, given the distance from the coast.

THE SOUTH WEST DISTRICT The projected population growth in the South West District is an annual average of 2.1% from 2016 to 2036 (as identified by the Draft South West District Plan). Greater Sydney has a 1.6% projected growth.

Projected growths of all age groups are much higher than for the Greater Sydney averages. Growth rates for babies, preschool-aged children (1-4 years old) and school aged children is projected to average approximately 14% above Greater Sydney projections.

The proportional growth of working aged people is expected to be 12% higher, while proportional growth for people over 85 is 88% higher than for Greater Sydney averages.

A much higher proportion of the working aged population in the South West District have vocational qualifications than those in Greater Sydney. A correspondingly lower proportion have University qualifications.

Of the communities in proximity to the Parklands the growth projections will have the greatest impact on the North Leppington/Austral areas, where rezoning of existing rural/semirural land will bring dramatic changes over the next 20 years. This is expected to grow the local population by 50-60,000 people.

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY New communities to the west of the Southern Parklands are likely to be of a similar composition to those existing to the east. West Hoxton and Cecil Hills are largely established suburbs from the late 1990s – early 2000s, while Middleton Grange is newer and still under development. Its current population of 1,100 people is expected to grow to 9,000 once complete. (Source: Liverpool City Council). Of particular significance for the Southern Parklands is the high proportion of people aged under 24 years (41%) and those from non-English speaking backgrounds (55%).

Local Community Characteristics, 2011 Census

20% 21% 43% 55% 0.5%

aged 0-11 years aged 12-24 years born overseas non-English speaking backgrounds Indigenous people

Average Demographic characteristics across adjoining neighbourhoods to east - 2011 Census (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics census information).

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

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2.4 The Western Sydney Community

IVE ELIZABETH DR

Cecil Hills

Western Sydney Parklands

Gurner Ave

nue

Fifteenth

Middleton Grange

Avenue

AVENUE

Edmondson

Fourth Ave

nue

Avenue

FIFTEEN TH

Twelfth Ave

nue

Tenth Ave

West Hoxton

Kelly Stre et

Boyd Stre et

nue

Eighth Ave nue

Little Stre

et

Sixth Ave

Browns Roa d

nue

BRINGELLY ROAD

Cow p

ast u

re Roa d

Ea

stw oo

dR

oa

d

Dick

son Ro ad

Bringelly Road

In

Ro

ad

By ron

Ro ad

Ric

ka

rd

rn

ad

bu

Ro

gle

Figure 16 - Local Communities - Existing and Future

24

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

East Leppington

ey

all nV

de

m Ca

ay W

2.5 Park Use As part of the Southern Parklands Vision project, a study of parklands usage was undertaken in late 2016.

GENERAL FINDINGS

•

Local community will travel to access facilities and events they are interested in and that meet their needs. Factors driving park use are price, time, convenience and safety.

Users will choose a farther, alternate destination if it has better facilities (e.g. parking, toilets, play area).

•

A number of community needs were identified as being unmet in western Sydney - cultural and arts facilities; community and cultural events; and sporting and recreational facilities.

•

•

The Parklands is highly valued, particularly open spaces, tree coverage, the bushland and natural scenery, the water (canals and lakes) and the trails system, however most people are not comfortable in the Australian bush. This is due to the fear of wildlife (snakes, spiders, lizards), the isolation (especially from medical facilities), and the perceived difficulty of controlling children in such an environment. While there is a small proportion of the community who enjoy a ‘wilder’ experience, most prioritise safety and access, good quality utilities and facilities.

CONNECTING TO THE PARKLANDS Work undertaken by Office of Environment and Heritage in 2014 examined the relationship of several ethnic groups to natural park environments on the Georges River. This work identified that:

“The landscape… is not simply a surface we live on. We carry it around in our minds and imaginations, so that it is as much inside us as outside. It is constructed socially, and this ensures a diversity of meanings. From a cultural perspective, then, a … park is not a single landscape. Rather it is a collection of different socially constructed landscapes that coexist in one place.”2 The study was interested in how different groups connect to existing places and identified that although places may have strong historical identity, new users need to find their frame of reference and relevance:

“The desire to make places out of spaces is a fundamental human behaviour. …. Place-making entails claims of attachment rather than claims of ownership, and the same park space can have special meaning to numerous different groups. Recent migrant place- making is essentially no different to the place-making engaged in by earlier waves of migrants, including nineteenth century British settlers.

There is a correlation between heat, water and shade: water and shade are both important ways the community manage the summer heat.

The study revealed subtle contrasts in the way different demographics relate to the Parklands. These support earlier research into the way people relate to nature, ‘the bush’ and ‘place’, and how this differs between Australian born English-speakers and foreign born, non-English speakers.1 In the consultations and surveys, the more active users of the Parklands tended to be English-speaking Australians who used the mountain-bike trail. More than half of the non-English first language speakers and foreign-born local residents also used the Parklands regularly, but did so for walking, for relaxing rather than exercise, or for the children to play. The majority of parklands use, and decisions regarding leisure time was determined by family needs.

In the interests of multiculturalism, it is important that these parks not be regarded as places whose nature and identity is fixed and constant”2.

The fluid relationship between the current and anticipated communities adjacent to the Western Sydney Parklands is an important predictor of the preferred ways of interacting with the Parklands.

Attitudes, behaviour and motivations to interact with the Parklands are likely to be as diverse as the communities of Western Sydney itself – as much constructed by the social and cultural contexts of prospective visitors, as it is by the environment and facilities of the Parklands itself.

About 40% of people surveyed did not use the Parklands mainly because they didn’t know about it, didn’t have time, or did not consider it a priority.

Scape data report: 405 park user intercept surveys were conducted in 6 parks within the Western Sydney Parklands during March to May 2016.

1.

2.

Place-making in National Parks: Ways that Australians of Arabic and Vietnamese background perceive and use the parklands along the Georges River, NSW, p. 19 Denis Byrne, Heather Goodall & Allison Cadzow, The Office of Environment and Heritage NSW & The University of Technology Sydney, January 2014.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

25

2.6 Community benefits of the Parklands Building long term connections and relevance to users includes understanding the potential benefits the Parklands can offer and then developing and nurturing these, and promoting them to the public.

Potential benefits include: •

Good health and well-being

•

Place-making

•

Managing heat and air quality

•

Conservation and

•

Connectedness to nature

•

Economic viability

•

Create attractions and destinations throughout the park

•

Create an identity and image for the park

Beloved places can be created by park management that prioritises ongoing collaboration with the various communities connected with the park, and that is designed to support diverse people in accessing and making meaning in the parklands.

Heat and Air Quality The tree canopy and absorbent green surfaces of Parklands are important for mitigating urban heat and poor air quality. Sydney’s Green Grid strategy prioritises the ‘greening’ of Sydney in order to adapt to climate extremes and improve air quality.

NATURE Conservation

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Well-designed, well-equipped parks can encourage physical activity across the community.

Climate change and threatened biodiversity are major issues in Australia and in Sydney. Individual behaviour is widely accepted as having a major impact on causing climate change, and can also have a major impact on slowing it down. To this end, the Parklands have an important role to play in:

Mental Health Benefits

•

Conservation

Exposure to parks has been shown to have mental health benefits, including aiding recovery from anxiety and depression, and reducing stress. This is particularly true for those living within 300m of a park. However, if open space is subject to antisocial or inappropriate use, the mental health for those in close proximity can suffer.

•

Supporting individual environmentally sustainable behaviour and action

•

Advocating for structural changes related to reducing environmental degradation, particularly in Western Sydney

Physical Health Benefits

Spiritual Health Benefits Being in nature can increase a sense of spirituality (connectedness to something greater than one’s self ), while spirituality influences attitudes and behaviours towards nature.

The relationship of Australia’s first peoples to nature is an example of this.

Place-making Humans make ‘places’ not just by physically altering a space but also via the social and mental process of making it meaningful.

Parks are often seen as ‘neutral’ public spaces that can be layered with various and dynamic meanings by their users. Place-making implies that people come to cherish parklands as places of personal and community meaning, and are accordingly more likely to protect and advocate for their value.

The Project for Public Spaces (a New York-based not for profit organisation dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities) identify 9 strategies for ‘achieving great parks’:

26

•

Use transit as a catalyst for attracting visitors

•

Make management of the park a central concern

•

Develop strategies to attract people during different seasons

•

Acquire diverse funding sources

•

Design the park layout for flexibility

•

Consider both the “inner park” and “outer park”

•

Provide amenities for the different groups of people using the park

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Connectedness to Nature Without a connection to the natural environment, people are at risk of developing “nature-deficit disorder”- an issue of modern society popularised by Richard Louv. In this work Louv suggests our indoor, techno-mediated ‘inactivity’ contributes to “diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, conditions of obesity, higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses,” and that it “weakens ecological literacy and stewardship of the natural world”.

Connectedness to nature is found to be a much stronger indicator of environmentally sustainable behaviour than knowledge about environmental issues. Connectedness to nature can be fostered through direct experience with nature and participating in environmental education. 3 The Vision must create opportunities for the community’s relationship to nature to be grown for the benefit of the Parklands and the environment generally.

Economic Viability In providing an attractive and healthy environment for families of adjoining communities to pursue a good quality of life, the Parklands can contribute to the workplace satisfaction of working adults and home-based carers. This can contribute to the productivity of those workplaces.

More tangibly, the integrated hubs provide the opportunity to create jobs for the local and district community.

Finally, the Trust must be financially sustainable. The creation of integrated multi use hubs will generate income through leases, and also provide services and activities that add to Parklands character and attractiveness.

3 Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-deficit disorder, Richard Louv 2005

3

THE VISION Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

27

3.1 Vision Principles The Southern Parklands Vision identifies a series of principles which will inform planning and decision making across the Parklands including: • the distribution and interaction of land uses • the relationship to existing and future urban communities and infrastructure projects • the development of places that offer diverse and exciting experiences for a city, district and local population The principles have been developed based on the Western Sydney Parklands Plan of Management 2020.

CONSERVE, PROTECT AND ENHANCE Conservation protection and enhancement of the natural, cultural and scenic values of the Southern Parklands is the foundation principle shaping the vision.

ENGAGE WITH NATURE Provide a range of opportunities to experience the Cumberland Plain including ‘user-friendly’ managed landscapes that encourage comfortable access and build greater engagement with nature.

OPTIMISE THE EDGES More than 50% (or 20 km) of the Parklands is adjacent to residential communities. These ‘edges’ offer a significant opportunity to establish new relationships with those communities to facilitate awareness and use of the Parklands.

CLUSTER AND INTEGRATE USES Clustering and integration of different uses can facilitate unique destinations that provide viable business opportunities, enhance the Parkland identity, and promote active living and wellness.

RECREATION AND LEISURE FOR THE CITY, DISTRICT AND LOCAL The Southern Parklands can address different roles for city, district and local users, each optimising the unique landscape and visual qualities of the place.

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PARK, AND PARK TO PEOPLE Effective ‘two way’ connections include the physical routes, journeys and arrival experiences to the Southern Parklands, in addition to projecting the Parklands to the community and encouraging ownership, relevance, and a sense of belonging.

WATER IN THE LANDSCAPE The retention and expansion of water in the landscape with the inclusion of water contact and water based recreation opportunities can be unique generators of park visitation in particular through the hot Western Sydney summer.

GUIDE AND INFLUENCE INFRASTRUCTURE Adjoining development and infrastructure can be positively influenced through effective liaison and cooperation, limiting environmental, visual and recreational impacts, and pursuing cooperative planning and design solutions.

BUILD RESILIENCE AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Provide a platform for a resilient and financially sustainable Southern Parklands that can evtolve and adapt to meet the needs of its environment, users and operations and encourage and respond to new users and opportunities.

28

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

”The South West District has an extraordinary opportunity to imagine and plan for a ‘parkland city’, where the mosaic of activities and the natural landscape provide the foundation for the area’s identity.”

‘Draft South West District Plan’ Greater Sydney Commission, 2016.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

29

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: CONSERVE, PROTECT AND ENHANCE The conservation, protection, and enhancement of the Southern Parkland’s natural, cultural and scenic values is the foundation principle shaping the Southern Parkland Vision.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

30

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Gazetted conservation areas are isolated from each other

--

Gazetted Conservation areas are complemented with bushland corridors providing habitat links east west to Kemps Creek Nature Reserve and north south along the Southern Parklands

--

Biobanking zones are identified without the benefit of coordination of an overall planning vision

--

Biobanking zones implemented to the areas of high suitability and in complement to adjacent landuses

--

Bushland generally occurs as dense “islands” in pockets of the site

--

A diversity of connected natural bushland occurs across the Southern Parklands of various characters

--

Natural creeklines cross through pastures flowing to the east to join open space corridors

--

Creek corridors through the Southern Parklands are enhanced through revegetation of banks and weed control

--

The Upper Prospect Canal is part of the existing water supply system from the Upper Nepean Dams to Prospect Reservoir. The canal lies within a fenced corridor that forms a barrier to access to the Southern Parklands from Austral and Leppington North to the west

--

The Upper Prospect Canal water supply is piped. The Canal structure is conserved and interpreted as a key landscape feature including adaptation and interpretation.

--

The Scenic Hills provide panoramic views to Blue Mountains and to south and east but are threatened by the RMS preferred option for the M12 Airport Motorway.

--

The views and landscape character of the Scenic Hills are conserved and protected from impacts by new motorway infrastructure

--

Rural lands are a key influence on the character of the Southern Parklands

--

Rural landscape is maintained through Urban Farming areas within the Southern Parklands and in open grassland adjoining recreational areas.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Key

N

Gazetted Conservation Areas Biobank & Carbon Credit Areas

Bushland Corridors Passive Recreation Urban Farming Upper Prospect Canal Adaptation WSP Boundary

Figure 17 - Conserve Protect Enhance

Examples of the diverse landscape character in the Parklands

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

31

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: ENGAGE WITH NATURE The relationship of the Western Sydney community to nature as identified through the Trust’s consultation program for the Southern Parklands Vision has two dimensions: appreciating and valuing that the Parklands is protected. At the same time the community has limited desire to interact with Cumberland Plain ‘nature’, generally preferring controlled and managed park landscapes for recreation.

A range of opportunities can be provided to experience the Cumberland Plain Woodland including ‘user friendly’ managed landscapes that encourage comfortable access and build stronger connections and affinity with the natural environment. These can be integrated with access to natural Cumberland Plain Woodland experiences through bushland conservation areas and corridors.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

32

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Limited interest and desire in sections of the Western Sydney population for contact with the Cumberland Plain landscape.

--

Growth in understanding and affinity with the Cumberland Plain landscape and the Southern Parklands and with conservation of the natural environment.

--

Usage of Parklands is focused within the managed landscapes of the recreational hubs.

--

Opportunities provided in ‘user friendly’ managed landscapes that encourage easy comfortable access and enable a graduated exposure to Cumberland Plain nature in adjoining Parkland areas.

--

Major infrastructure projects have potential to negatively impact the experience of the natural and scenic qualities of the Southern Parklands.

--

Access to the scenic landscape is maintained as part of the day to day experience of the Southern Parklands.

--

Water is an important part of the natural and constructed landscape in the Southern Parklands.

--

Water contact including visual and accessible water is provided throughout the Southern Parklands and adds to the Parkland experience.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

The desire to make places out of spaces is a fundamental human behaviour.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

33

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: OPTIMISE THE EDGES More than 50% (or 20 km) of the Southern Parklands runs adjacent to new and existing residential communities.

These Parklands ‘edges’ offer a significant opportunity to establish new relationships with current and future communities, enhancing awareness and interest, and encouraging access to and use of the Southern Parklands.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

--

Existing communities to the east of the Southern Parklands appreciate the presence of the Parklands but do not visit the Parklands.

--

A permeable, comfortable, friendly park edge to adjoining communities (“the Parkland Promenade”) encourages easy access along its length and provides local level facilities such as cycle and pedestrian paths, seats and shade.

--

Proposed communities to the west of the Southern Parklands adjoin the Parklands with low density residential housing.

--

The development of varied density, orientation and land uses adjoining the Parklands edge creates an active community character and increased interaction with the Parklands.

--

Existing communities adjoining the Parklands focus on school and sporting activities for their community interaction.

--

A high level of use of the Parklands Promenade edge across day and evening for exercise and play contributes to a sense of community.

--

There are limited facilities and services available in the Southern Parklands.

--

Access to multi use hubs of services and facilities at regular intervals adds to the vibrancy and level of activity in the Parklands.

--

The Southern Parklands has 23% of its edge to motorways or other major infrastructure.

--

A native vegetated edge to motorways and other infrastructure creates a buffer, consolidates bushland character, and conveys the conservation role of the Parklands.

--

Motorway boundaries integrate recreational uses such as jogging tracks and adventure sports that are not adversely impacted by traffic noise.

--

Use of the Parklands Promenade edge breaks down barriers to recreation and access in the Cumberland Plain landscape for the local community.

--

34

2036 OUTCOMES

Adjoining residents generally do not like the Cumberland Plain landscape.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

M7

Key

N

Promenade Bushland Corridors Outside Parklands

Natural Watercourse Major Roads Motorway

Edges

WSP Boundary

Figure 18 - Treatment Edges to Open Space

Examples of the Parkland promenade edge Fairwater Park, Blacktown

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Victoria Park Stratford

35

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: CLUSTER AND INTEGRATE USES In the Southern Parklands it is proposed to cluster and integrate multiple land uses to create a unique destination integrated with the adjoining Parklands that provides viable business opportunities, enhances the Parklands identity, and promotes active living and wellness.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

36

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Current hub developments in the Parklands focused on standalone developments with low diversity land use.

--

Hub approach in Southern Parklands evolves to a clustering of diverse but integrated land uses set around quality public spaces and providing a unique character and identity.

--

Current hub developments in the Parklands have limited or no integration with adjoining park uses.

--

Integrated hubs serve and complement the recreational function of adjoining parkland spaces and provide diffused boundaries; weaving the green corridors through the edge of the integrated hub developments.

--

The current master planning for new communities to the west provide east west multipurpose corridors that do not effectively connect to the Southern Parklands.

--

Blending of integrated hubs in the Southern Parklands with external open space and urban (road) corridors as nodal junctions / meeting points.

--

The Southern Parklands currently acts as a barrier between communities to the east and west of the Parklands.

--

A stronger relationship with Austral to the west and existing communities to the east is encouraged and facilitated by the location and community focus provided by integrated hubs in the Parklands.

--

Current master planning for new communities to west indicates neighbourhood centres to Fifteenth Avenue and Tenth Avenue within 1 km of the Parklands.

--

Integrated hubs connect east and west along Fifteenth Avenue and Tenth Avenue to neighbourhood hubs in adjoining developments through mix of uses and built form character and density.

--

Current master planning for new communities to west indicates district centre to Bringelly Road with related heavy rail station within 1 km of the Parklands

--

Integrated hub along the Bringelly Road frontage of Parklands connects west along Bringelly Road linking to Bringelly Town Centre through mix of uses and built form character and density.

--

The Upper Prospect Water Supply Canal is an iconic landscape and heritage feature providing a strong water story line for the Southern Parklands.

--

Integrated future Hub development with the Canal alignment creating water-based destinations that also interpret and celebrate the water supply story.

--

Potential for future multi modal transport links to be provided to corridors including Fifteenth Avenue and Cowpasture Road.

--

Integrated hub planning and implementation responds to and optimises future improvements across multiple modes of transport.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

TENTH AVENUE

CECIL HILLS Potential links access to Kemps Creek Nature Reserve including Aboriginal guided walks

Eco Tourism ▪ Accommodation ▪ Restaurants ▪ Lifestyle (mind, body) services ▪ Arts & Community

Mixed retail / food

Parkland Promenade link Passive Recreation

Local Parkland inviting entry zone

Passive Recreation

Park amenities / hire

Potential Road extension creating double frontage Potential light rail / busway

Bushland

Passive Recreation & community to peninsular Retail / Community Urban farming

M7

Commercial urban farming

MOTORWAY

Swimming

Sports Medicine & Community

Lake Water body D ROA LLY NG E B RI

Passive Recreation ▪ Major events ▪ Event camping

Parkland Drive loop road

Promenade Parkland link

Green corridor links

Mixed use development as continuation of Leppington Town Centre character

Accommodation

BRINGELLY ROAD

FIFTEENTH AVENUE Urban Farming

Bushland

Passive Recreation

Passive Recreation

Open space link to new community

Bushland

Open space link to new community

Hilltop village hub Road link to Tenth Avenue

Major Sports Facility

Major Sports Facility

Urban Farming

Promenade Parkland cross link

Passive Recreation

Promenade Parkland link

Bush setting: ▪ Bridle trails ▪ Walking tracks

Integrated Hub

Village lake

FIFTEENTH

Promenade Parkland link

AVENUE ROAD CO

Figure 19 - Integrated hub opportunities

Artist impression of intergrated hub in the Parklands

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

37

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: RECREATION AND LEISURE FOR THE CITY, DISTRICT AND LOCAL Recreation and leisure use of the Southern Parklands has been limited to date by availability of facilities and lack of community awareness and understanding of the Parklands environment.

In addition, recreation planning and development in the Parklands generally has primarily focused on visitors arriving by car to major recreational hubs.

Provision for future recreation and leisure in the Southern Parklands should address the emerging multiple roles of the Southern Parklands for a city, district and local user catchment, optimising the unique landscape and visual qualities of the Southern Parklands.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Access to and into the Southern Parklands is limited.

--

Improved availability and ease of access to the Southern Parklands is provided; in particular, along edges to communities where multiple entry points are available in a comfortable landscape setting.

--

Use of the Parklands is generally focused on carbased district visitation to major recreational hubs.

--

Usage of the Southern Parklands is dispersed along its length.

--

The draft South West DistrictPplan identifies the important city context of the Parklands as an open space heart to the Western City.

--

Recreation, tourism and leisure opportunities address city wide users by taking advantage of the unique landscape and scenic qualities of the scenic hills to create a leisure and tourism destination that is attractive and relevant to the Western (Parkland) City population.

--

Wylde MTB facility is the only district level recreation and leisure facility in the Southern Parklands.

--

Recreation, tourism and leisure opportunities address district users through provision of destination passive recreational experiences to the unique scenic hills (as above) through development of major sports facilities adjacent to Bringelly Road close to major transport and supported by sports medicine and accommodation facilities.

--

The existing communities to the east and future communities to the west directly adjoin the Parklands.

--

Recreation, tourism and leisure opportunities address local users through the Parkland Promenade running adjacent to local communities and providing access beyond the park edge to a variety of passive recreation areas.

--

The unique qualities of the Southern Parklands are little known to the community.

--

Recreational areas and facilities are located to take advantage of the unique qualities of the Southern Parklands including the scenic hills, farm dams, and the Upper Prospect Canal.

--

District level recreational hubs to the Parklands generally offer a similar range of facilities.

--

Recreational areas and facilities in the Southern Parklands complement each other to provide a diverse suite of opportunities and experiences and enabling a wider choice and quality of activities.

--

Resources and the timing of adjoining development will influence implementation of recreational facilities.

--

A staged approach providing recreational activities with temporary ‘pop up’ facilities, events and programming. This will provide activation of the space until facilities are built.

--

There is limited tourism use of the Southern Parklands.

--

A range of tourism opportunities is provided within the Parklands including:

i

Lifestyle tourism opportunities in the scenic hills along with major outdoor events and related accommodation / camping. ii Sports and business tourism adjacent to Bringelly Road related to sports facilities and proximity to a major centre, enterprise corridor, and airport.

38

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Key 1

Northern slopes The vegetated slopes to Elizabeth Drive / proposed M12 to be conserved as buffer to the adjoining infrastructure.

The existing Wylde Mountain Bike Trail to be retained and extended with potential consolidation of further adventure sports through the slopes and valleys.

1 2 2

Scenic Hills I Lifestyle tourism and day facilities in the south facing slopes overlooking the water bodies. Potential for guided Aboriginal culture walks to Kemps Creek Nature Reserve.

8 3 3

Scenic Hills II Passive parklands focused around dam water extensions, with swimming / water play. Potential for major outdoor events and related camping.

4

Fifteenth Avenue Hybrid rural / urban character parkland adjoining potential water body and major east west road. Village centre interweaved with passive parkland.

5

Tenth Avenue / Shale Hills Rolling passive district parkland with hilltop village access for vehicles within the Parklands (but not through access).

4 6

Bringelly Road I Passive parkland to adjoining communities.

7

Bringelly Road II District sports facilities providing sports destination. Support with sports medicine / sports education.

5

Town centre public space adjoining water.

8

Abbotsbury south Consider potential for management by others for local park space

6 7 Key

N

Bushland Corridors Outside Parklands

Native Canopy Vegetation Proposed Parkland Roads Major Roads

Artist impression of recreation area

New Water Bodies WSP Boundary

Figure 20 - Recreation & leisure opportunities

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

39

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PARK AND PARK TO PEOPLE Connecting the community to the Southern Parklands at a city, district and local level will drive the ongoing growth in usage and enjoyment of the Southern Parklands.

Effective ‘two way’ connections include the physical routes, journeys and arrival experiences to the Southern Parklands in addition to projecting the Parklands outwards to the community and encouraging ownership, relevance, and a sense of belonging.

Physical connections must also recognise the extremes of the Western Sydney environment and look to provide comfortable and safe movement routes across the seasons.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Local and district communities have limited awareness and understanding of the Southern Parklands.

--

The community has an effective awareness of the Southern Parklands including its values and recreational opportunities and use the Southern Parklands regularly.

--

Movement to the Parklands through the existing communities to the east is limited and utilitarian.

--

Communities have a number of options to travel to the Southern Parklands through both open space corridors and high amenity street corridors that provide effective and comfortable access.

--

Current master planning of open space corridors in new communities to west, fail to link to the Parklands.

--

Adjoining open space corridors connect through effectively to the edge of the Southern Parklands.

--

Fifteenth Avenue and Bringelly Road pass through / adjoin the Southern Parklands and are to be subject to major infrastructure upgrades.

--

Urban road corridors provide multi-functional, integrated environments where pedestrian and cycle access are optimised along with shade and biodiversity canopy that can connect through to Parklands.

--

Green Grid proposals pass conceptually through the Southern Parklands.

--

Green Grid linkages are realised including the key crossing / entry points at Elizabeth Drive/M7 Motorway and through Kemps Creek Nature Reserve.

--

The community sees summer heat in Western Sydney as a barrier to open space usage.

--

Key access routes mitigate the extremes of the Western Sydney climate in summer by using:

i

tree species selection that optimises quality and effectiveness of summer shade along key access routes ii other cooling options including built shelter and evaporative cooling and misting through the Parkland Promenade edge.

40

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

2k m

1k m

1k

m

2k

m

M7

Key

N

Major Centres Secondary Centres ‘Green’ Access Corridors ‘Urban’ Access Corridors ‘Green Grid’ Major Roads Bushland Corridors Outside Parklands

Native Canopy Vegetation Urban Centres WSP Boundary

Figure 21 - Examples of Journeys in the Parklands

Examples of multi-function open space corridors

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

41

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: WATER IN THE LANDSCAPE Water in the landscape in the form of natural creek lines, wetlands, farm dams and the Upper Prospect Canal is a significant influence on the character and identity of the Southern Parklands.

The retention and expansion of this identity and the development of water contact and water based recreation opportunities can be unique generators of park visitation, in particular throughout the hot Western Sydney summer.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Farm dams in varied condition dotted across the landscape.

--

Farm dams and natural creek lines are conserved and enhanced in a variety of settings as key aspects of Southern Parklands character and identity.

--

Natural creek lines drain to creek catchments off the site to the east.

--

Natural creek lines and wetlands through the Southern Parklands provide water management and healthy riparian habitats.

--

Outdoor water recreation opportunities in Western Sydney are limited.

--

A range of water based recreation opportunities are provided across the Parklands suitable for all cultures and abilities and providing a major impetus for visitation to the Parklands including a water body in Cecil Hills suitable for swimming and water play - integrated with / adjoining the Upper Prospect Canal.

--

Upper Prospect Canal corridor acts as barrier to access to the Parklands from the west.

--

The Canal corridor is an appreciated aspect of the Southern Parklands providing:

i regular and comfortable east west pedestrian and cycle access ii a legible and engaging heritage story iii a basis for water based recreation and environmental management opportunities including retention of water to sections of the existing or modified Canal for recreational use and / or water management purposes.

--

42

Business Hub planning does not address integration with water presence and role in the Southern Parklands.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

-i

Integrated hubs in the Southern Parklands incorporate references and connections to water in the landscape including:

water bodies / water management systems providing visual and environmental amenity ii water play opportunities referencing and interpreting the Upper Prospect Canal.

Key 1

Expanded dams & wetlands for paddle craft recreation

2

Water play lagoon adjoining canal

3

Canal - Selected water role after decommissioning

4

Water body adjoining canal and related to Fifteenth Ave Hub (integrated with WSUD)

5

Water body adjoining canal and related to Bringelly Rd Hub (integrated with WSUD)

11 22

33

4

Key

N

New Water Bodies

5

Canal (SW Infrastructure) Existing Dam Natural Watercourse WSP Boundary

Figure 22 - Examples of opportunities to use water in the Parklands development

Examples of water based recreation

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

43

3.2 Principle Outcomes PRINCIPLE: GUIDE AND INFLUENCE INFRASTRUCTURE As for the Western Sydney Parklands generally, the Southern Parklands is required to accommodate a range of services and infrastructure easements and provisions, and will also interface with a wide range of major infrastructure and development projects.

These can be accommodated and mitigated through effective liaison and cooperation between agencies to minimise where possible, the environmental, visual, and recreational impacts and to pursue a cooperative planning and design outcome for community benefit.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

44

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Infrastructure planning being undertaken largely unaware of Southern Parklands values and opportunities.

--

Infrastructure planning and design in particular for the M12, Fifteenth Avenue, and Bringelly Road considers the Southern Parklands Vision and its important future role in the provision of recreation and leisure facilities for western Sydney.

--

Adjoining urban developments to house major population growth within 2.5 km of the Southern Parklands over the next 30 years.

--

Adjoining urban development projects recognise, integrate with, and complement the Southern Parklands access and recreational systems.

--

Supporting transport initiatives are required to enhance east west linkages to the Western Sydney Airport area.

--

Transport infrastructure recognises the Southern Parklands and integrates with its key entries and destinations.

--

A series of infrastructure easements pass along the Southern Parklands corridor.

--

Services infrastructure is accommodated in the Southern Parklands and the impacts on park values are minimised.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

ELIZABETH D RIVE

M7

FIFTEENT

H AVENUE

Key

N

Infrastructure Easements Proposed Parkland Roads

BRINGEL

LY ROAD

Major Roads

Public Transport Accessibility

Motorway WSP Boundary

Figure 23 - Example of infrastructure integration

Prospect Park, NYC

Goal: 50% of visitors arriving by public transport

Examples of integrated urban & infrastructure design Jaiding Central Park, China

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

45

3.2 Outcomes PRINCIPLE: BUILD RESILIENCE AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Long term resilience includes building relationships with communities and stakeholders, and establishing a sound financial and operational platform for the management of the Parklands that recognises its community role and significance.

The Vision seeks to provide a platform for a resilient Southern Parklands that will evolve and adapt to meet the needs of its users and encourage and respond to new users and opportunities.

SOUTHERN PARKLANDS NOW

46

2036 OUTCOMES

--

Limited use and ‘ownership’ of the Parklands by adjoining communities.

--

Relationships to existing and future communities are developed and sustained.

--

Limited facilities for visitors.

--

Areas in the Parklands use identity and diverse offerings to encourage access and engagement, while maintaining capacity to evolve and adapt.

--

Business Hubs through Parklands generally function independently of adjoining Parklands areas.

--

Business activity within integrated hubs has strong interrelationship and interaction with recreational use and activities.

--

New communities to the west of the Southern Parklands and the Western City beyond will continue to evolve over the next 30 years.

--

Management of Southern Parklands facilities and spaces have adequate flexibility to appropriately respond to future needs and trends.

--

Trust identifying sustainable revenue opportunties that contribute to the Parklands Vision.

--

Revenue generating opportunities contribute uses and activities that add to Southern Parklands character and identity.

Opportunities for external funding and hird party management of facilities.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Conservation, protection and enhancement of the natural, cultural and scenic values of the Southern Parklands.

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

47

3.3 Precinct Plans The Precinct Plans illustrate four distinct areas of the Southern Parklands which will:

1

• afford varied and diverse recreation and leisure opportunities • be served by an integrated precinct hub with a flexible collaboration of uses and activities which support the recreational areas and encourage their community use The Plans seek to create unique destinations that enhance park identity, promote active living and wellness, and improve amenity for local residents.

Cecil Hills Precinct

2

For the purpose of this Vision four precincts have been identified: • Cecil Hills • Fifteen Avenue • Tenth Avenue • Bringelly Road

Fifteenth Avenue Precinct

3

Tenth Avenue Precinct

4

48

Bringelly Road Precinct Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

ELIZABETH DRIVE

1

Cecil Hills

M7

2

Key Middleton Grange

FIFTEEN TH AVEN

UE

N Conservation Areas and Bushland Corridor

Passive Recreation Adventure Sports Major Sports Facilities

Austral

Urban Framing / Rural Integrated Parkland Hub Parkland Promenade

3

Proposed Parklands Road Parklands Pedestrian / Cycle Tracks

TENTH A VENUE

CO WP AS

West Hoxton

TUR ER OA D

Existing Canal Bridge Proposed Canal Bridge Existing Watercourses Existing Canal Exisiting Dam Proposed new / expanded water bodies

Infrastructure Easements

North Leppington

Indoor Outdoor Recreation

Major Roads M7 Motorway

BRINGEL LY

Urban Centres

ROAD

4

WSP Boundary

Figure 24 - Precinct Plans

Leppington

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

49

3.3 Precinct Plans CECIL HILLS The Cecil Hills Precinct lies within the area known as the scenic hills and at the widest point of the Southern Parklands. The Precinct is the ideal location for a destination of significance for the Central and Western Cities. A multi-use recreation and tourism hub is envisaged, nestled around an improved dam water area, and through the scenic slopes and valleys. A themed accommodation and entertainment complex on the upper slopes takes advantage of views and serves tourism, events, and day to day usage.

A passive recreational parkland playing a similar role to Parramatta Park, runs through the central valley adjoining the water focus and is accessed by a parkway loop road linking south to Austral and north to Elizabeth Drive.

The adventure sports role of Wylde MTB Trail is expanded on the north facing wooded slopes adjoining Elizabeth Drive, while Kemps Creek Nature Reserve offers opportunities for nature walks and education in collaboration with NSW National Parks and Wildlife (the owner).

H DRIVE BET IZA EL

10

5 8 12

Cecil Hills

1 6 11

2 9 Kemps Creek Nature Reserve

11

1 4

3

4 10 1 Austral

Figure 25 - Cecil Hills Plan

50

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

M7

Key

Key

3

1

Passive recreation and community

2

Expanded dams / water

3

Parkland promenade

4

Road loops / entry

5

Adventure sports

6

Shooting centre

7

Canal water play

8

Lifestyle / eco-tourism

9

Major events and camping

10

Bushland corridors and canopy

11

Biobank site east of m7 and to nodes within scenic hills

12

Core Cecil Hills hub zone

7

Promenade Parkland •

Shaded promenade walkway / cycleway with supporting local play and seating facilities winds its way along the Canal to Cecil Hills

Canal Water Play •

Safe swimming and water play lagoon adjoining canal and in close proximity to recreational areas

•

Provides destination facility for south western district in its own right

4 8

1

Parkland Roads •

Parkway / bushland roads wind subtly through the bush or pasture setting

•

Ninety degree parking bays off road adjoining recreational areas 5

8

6

Managed Parkland •

Maintained grassed recreational area through valleys and mid to lower slopes

Lifestyle Resort / Day Destination •

Lifestyle precinct - resort accommodation and food / lifestyle services

•

Potential for day and overnight environmental and Aboriginal cultural activities

2

5

6 9

Extended dam water bodies •

Existing character of dam water extended through enlargement of existing and additional dam water bodies integrated with wetlands below spillways

Adventure Sports / Play Major events and camping

•

Existing Wylde MTB Trail extended

•

Integrate other adventure activities

•

Existing Wylde MTB Trail extended

Potential events including accommodation

•

Integrate other adventure activities

Opportunity to extend recreation activities in the Shooting Centre

•

Potential events including accommodation

•

Opportunity to extend recreation activities in the Shooting Centre

• •

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51

3.3 Precinct Plans FIFTEENTH AVENUE The Fifteenth Avenue Precinct lies directly north of Fifteenth Avenue which is proposed to be upgraded to a major 4-6 lane road. The Precinct will focus on an integrated Parkland’s hub adjoining the Canal corridor and providing a variety of retail, business and community uses, all centred on a public lakeside area.

There is the potential for developing a water body adjoining the Canal corridor as a focus for the centre and for water management. The village is adjoined by passive recreation and bushland to the north and north east. This will allow for the integration of a variety of land uses, such as a bridle trail (horse riding), cycling and walking. Potential for a dog play area adjoining the integrated hub should be considered.

Open grassed areas adjoining the Parkland Promenade will provide for informal games and recreation for the local community.

7

4

4

5

5

Austral

4

Middleton Grange

FIFTEEN

TH

8

3

AVENUE

3

7

6

7 9

Figure 26 - Fifteenth Avenue Plan

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Key

3

1

Village lake

2

Integrated parklands hub

3

Public domain

4

Passive recreation

5

Parkland promenade

6

Fifteenth avenue urban corridor

7

Bushland corridors and canopy

8

Open space and access corridor linkages

9

Urban farming to tenth avenue precinct

3

Public Domain 1

•

Quality public spaces linking integrated hub to village lake

•

Night economy

4

Village Lake •

Potential water body integrated or adjoining canal

•

Potential for recreational crafts and/or event use 4 2

4 2

Public Domain Integrated Parklands Hub •

M ixed use centre adjoining lake

•

Food and fresh produce market

•

Bridle trail links

•

Canal cycling / walking

•

Informal spaces for local community

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

53

3.3 Precinct Plans TENTH AVENUE The Tenth Avenue Precinct runs from the vicinity of Tenth Avenue north to Fifteenth Avenue and includes the existing Shale Hills recreational area.

This Precinct is typified by wooded ridgelines (providing some views to the east) and open undulating post agricultural pastures.

The Tenth Avenue village lies at the eastern end of Tenth Avenue, an east west corridor providing a neighbourhood centre approximately 1km from the Parklands. A small integrated hub of retail, business and community uses is centred on a hilltop public domain with views to the east.

The Precinct will provide for passive recreation in the cleared slopes either side of the central wooded ridge. Potential for dog play areas near the Mannow Road entry should be considered.

Urban Farming will adjoin the village to the north and east on existing open pasture adding to the unique character of the Precinct.

FIFTEEN

TH AVEN

UE

11 10 1

Austral

12

4

6 11

10

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5

TENTH AVENUE

10 11 11 9

Figure 27 - Tenth Avenue Plan

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

West Hoxton

3

CO WP

2

Key 1

Parkland Promenade

2

Tenth Avenue Village

3

Play Landscape

4

Passive Recreation

5

Parkland Roads

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New Eastern (Vehicular) Entry

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Tenth Avenue Urban Road Corridor - Not In Precinct

8

Park Access Road From East Linking To Mannow Avenue (No Through Road) - Not In Precinct

9

Parkland Promenade Cross Park Pedestrian And Cycle Corridor From West Hoxton

10

Urban Farming

11

bushland corridors and canopy focused to wooded ridgelines and eastern edge

12

Twenty Seventh Avenue maintained as access to urban farming

2

4

2

4

4

Hill Top Village •

The small integrated hub village is located at the eastern end of Tenth Avenue

•

Village parking to double as Parklands parking

•

Public domain on hilltop oriented towards views

•

Urban agriculture below village Passive Recreation

1

•

3

The undulating grasslands provide for informal open recreation.

5

1 3

Parkland Roads •

Anew eastern entry links to the Shale Hills carpark

•

A new entry and carpark is accessed from Tenth Avenue

Parkland Promenade •

The promenade links the integrated hubs along the western edge of the Parklands providing a variety of spaces and landscape qualities

Play Landscapes •

Play environments integrated into passive recreational areas

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3.3 Precinct Plans BRINGELLY ROAD The Bringelly Road Precinct forms the southern edge of the Western Sydney Parklands.

This Precinct is typified by gently undulating, post-agricultural pastures with stands of trees and wooded zones to the eastern edge adjoining West Hoxton. A business hub is currently proposed for the eastern frontage of Bringelly Road. It is proposed that given the proximity of Bringelly town centre to the west, integrated hub uses could ultimately form the southern edge of the Parklands integrating with the town centre structure.

To assist in activating the northern edge adjoining the Parklands, there is a need for a road link, either as a loop road or ideally a continuation of Cowpasture Road. Green corridor road links would punctuate the integrated hub extending the Parkland roads to Bringelly Road.

There TisEN the THpotential for a major district level sports facility adjoining the hub, which could be supported by sports medicine, training facilities and accommodation. A Parklands lake linking existing dams provides a focus to the integrated hub and ENUenvironmental wouldAVfulfil and recreational roles.

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West Hoxton

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BRINGELLY RO AD

Figure 28 - Bringelly Road Plan

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

10

PASTURE ROA COW D

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Key 1

Integrated hub extends Leppington town centre

2

Major sports facilities / fields

3

Indoor sports and community facilities

4

Sports support precinct – not in precinct

5

Accommodation serving local business and major sports events

6

Town lake

7

Passive recreation

8

Parkland promenade

9

Possible cowpasture road extension as road frontage and transport corridor

10

Green corridor links

11

Bushland corridors and canopy

2

4

2

4

2

Sport Support Facilities •

Possible sports medicine facilities

•

Possible elite sports training facilities

5

1

Major Sports Facilities •

District sports facilities

•

Mix of facilities subject to investigation and liaison with Liverpool City Council and Office of Sports

1

Town Centre Extension •

Potential to integrate hub business activities with structure of Leppington Town Centre

•

otential creation of northern road frontP age with extension of Cowpasture Road

5

3

Community Sports / Other Facilities •

Potential sports / community partnerships

Accommodation •

Mid-level accommodation serving town centre and Bringelly Rd enterprise corridor 6

Town Lake •

Major water body adjoining canal and encompassing several existing dams

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3.4 Approach to Delivering the Vision Development of the Southern Parklands will be influenced by a range of largely external factors. These influences have their own timelines and are not controlled by the Western Sydney Parklands Trust. How the interrelationship of these influences unfolds in the future is uncertain and as such, staging of to deliver the Vision will need to be flexible.

This section details the approach to developing the Southern Parklands to deliver the Vision.

Responding to population growth The adjoining communities are important. In the future, more than 20 km of Parklands frontage will adjoin residential communities, in excess of 100,000 residents within 2 km of the Parklands These communities will be a significant driver of future use and activation.

Future communities to the west The future community of Austral Leppington North will evolve over the next 20 years. The development will likely come in stages.

The timing in the areas directly adjoining the Parklands should guide implementation of the adjoining Parkland Promenade edge, with the target of implementing linkages between new and existing roads that enhance connectivity.

Existing communities to the east There is potential to enhance the usability of the Parklands edge to progressively ‘retro fit’ the Parkland Promenade edge to the east side of the Parklands. The initial focus should be on areas to form linkages north-south in particular to West Hoxton, Tenth Avenue and Bringelly Road precincts of the Vision Refer to 1 in Figure 28

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

The implementation of the cross-park Parkland Promenade link from Tenth Avenue to West Hoxton should be prioritised. This involves building on existing tracks to create a more direct, open and shaded access between existing communities. Refer to 2, Figure 25.

Better integration at road infrastructure Ongoing liaison with RMS over the proposed M12 and Bringelly Road works and Liverpool City Council for the Fifteenth Avenue upgrade is a key priority. For the M12, this focuses on an improved outcome for the preferred corridor to limit impacts on the landscape, recreational and environmental potential.

For Fifteenth Avenue, the focus is on integrated corridors that enhance pedestrian and cycle amenity and transport opportunities. These are echoed for Bringelly Road which has the additional challenge of ensuring safe and comfortable connections to the Leppington Town Centre to the north. Ensuring that Parklands access to each road corridor is addressed is fundamental, as is liaison with Transport authorities to optimise the interaction of local transport improvements with the Parklands.

Temporary activation For existing communities, this Vision has identified that awareness of and affinity with the Southern Parklands is lacking.

The planning and implementation of temporary events and installations at key locations within the Southern Parklands can progressively build links and engagement with these adjoining communities. The Trust has successfully used temporary catalyst projects to build awareness in other parts of the Parklands

2

West Hoxton

1

CO WP AST UR ER OA D

Middleton Grange

Figure 29 - Promenade Link Priorities

including Bungarribee. These could be held at future integrated hub sites such as Fifteenth and Tenth Avenues. Some possibilities including cafes, dog parks and play spaces.

Relationship between the Upper Prospect Supply Canal and the Parklands

•

potential for targeted / phased piping and adaptation of Canal linked to adjoining urban development staging, to facilitate cross access and provide recreational and interpretation opportunities.

The Canal forms a major barrier to access from the new community to the west. Until alternative piping of water supply is implemented, opportunities to reduce the limitations of the Canal corridor should be pursued with WaterNSW including: •

enable increased access with additional bridge access points

•

reduce width of controlled access zone to selected areas

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3.4 Approach to Delivering the Vision CECIL HILLS PRECINCT AND DEVELOPMENT TRANSITION

There is a long term potential for the Sydney International Shooting Centre site to transition to higher order uses to increase the quality of experiences and activation in the Cecil Hills Precinct. This could be for example, food production that has a retail / tourism aspect to the Parkland hub and a commercial scale food production core with direct road access to Elizabeth Drive.

M7

M7

Figure 30 - Cecil Hills, Medium Term

Figure 31 - Cecil Hills, Long Term

Short to medium term

Long term

Sydney International Shooting Centre in operation.

Sydney International Shooting Centre transitions to alternative uses that offer increased interaction and value to activities in the Cecil Hills Precinct.

Potential for direct access from Elizabeth Drive.

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Middleton Grange

FIFTEEN TH AVEN

UE

BRINGELLY ROAD PRECINCT AND DEVELOPMENT TRANSITION

Potential for Bringelly Road Business Hub to transition over time into a mixed useAustral integrated hub fronting Bringelly Road. The Hub also serves the adjacent future major sports facilities.

CO WP AS

West Hoxton

TUR ER OA D

TENTH A VENUE

North Leppington

BRINGEL LY

ROAD

Leppington

Figure 32 - Bringelly Road, Medium Term

Figure 33 - Bringelly Road, Long Term

Short to medium term

Long term

Approved Bringelly Road Business Hub - Light industrial and progressive implementation of major sports Facilities.

Light Industrial uses transition over to higher order land uses with potential that an integrated hub can form on the southern frontage of Parklands

Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

61

References Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-deficit disorder, Richard Louv 2005

Austral & Leppington North Precincts Final plan, NSW planning & Infrastructure, South West Growth Centre Structure plan – explanatory Notes,

Desktop Ecological Constraints Assessment at Western Sydney Parklands Southern Precinct, Ecological Australia, 9 November 2016

WSPT Draft Preliminary Heritage Assessment, Artefact, 22 November 2016

NSW Planning, March 2010 Profiling lGAs for Western Sydney Parklands, WSP Plan of Management 2020,

Anomaly & Identity, October 2016

Prepared by WSP, December 2010

Landuse and Access Plan, and Precedents, prepared by Public Works Government Architect’s Office, September 2011

WSP Biodiversity Strategy 2012-2020, Prepared by WSP, 2013

Place-making in National parks: Ways that Australians of Arabic and Vietnamese background perceive and use the parklands along the Georges River, NSW, Denis Byrne, Heather Goodall & Allison Cadzow, The Office of Environment and Heritage NSW & The University of Technology Sydney, January 2014

A Plan for Growing Sydney, NSW Planning & Environment, December 2014

WSP Plan of Management 2020 Supplement, Prepared by WSP, March 2014

Bringelly Road Business Hub, Leppington Presentation, JBA, 10 Sept 2014

WSP 2020 Corporate Plan, Prepared by the Western Sydney Parklands Trust with input from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd, March 2015

Urban Design Master Plan Bringelly Road Business Hub, Leppington, JBA 5 June 2015

Western Sydney Parklands Design Manual Version 1, Prepared by WSP

Scape data report: Park user intercept surveys -Western Sydney Parklands Scape, March to May 2016

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

Southern Parklands Visioning Project Communication and Engagement Strategy, Straight Talk, November 2016

Draft South West District Plan, Greater Sydney Commission, November 2016

Western Sydney Parklands Identity Project Parklands Tour and Workshop Report, Straight Talk, 22 December 2011

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017

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Southern Parklands Vision - June 2017