Sydney Green Grid District

Home , Archer Creek, Darling Mills Creek, Haslams Creek, Hunts Creek, Lake Parramatta, Nurragingy Reserve

DISTRICT

SYDNEY GREEN GRID SPATIAL FRAMEWORK AND PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

29 TYRRELLSTUDIO PREFACE

Open space is one of Sydney’s greatest assets. Our national parks, harbour, beaches, coastal walks, waterfront promenades, rivers, playgrounds and reserves are integral to the character and life of the city.

In this report the hydrological, recreational and ecological fragments of the city are mapped and then pulled together into a proposition for a cohesive green infrastructure network for greater Sydney.

This report builds on investigations undertaken by the Office of the Government Architect for the Department of Planning and Environment in the development of District Plans. It interrogates the vision and objectives of the Sydney Green Grid and uses a combination of GIS data mapping and consultation to develop an overview of the green infrastructure needs and character of each district. FINAL REPORT 23.03.17

Each district is analysed for its spatial qualities, open space, PREPARED BY waterways, its context and key natural features. This data informs a series of strategic opportunities for building the Sydney Green Grid within each district. Green Grid project opportunities have TYRRELLSTUDIO been identified and preliminary prioritisation has been informed by a comprehensive consultation process with stakeholders, including ABN. 97167623216 landowners and state and local government agencies. MARK TYRRELL M. 0410 928 926

This report is one step in an ongoing process. It provides preliminary E. [email protected] prioritisation of Green Grid opportunities in terms of their strategic W. WWW.TYRRELLSTUDIO.COM potential as catalysts for the establishment of a new interconnected high performance green infrastructure network which will support healthy PREPARED FOR urban growth. Future reports should be undertaken to assess the future DEPARTMENT OF delivery and implementation strategies of Green Grid projects. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT

30 SPATIAL FRAMEWORK

MAJOR 2 CATCHMENTS

ADDITIONAL WEST PEOPLE 550,500 BY 2036

NORTH WEST HECTARES CENTRAL OPEN SPACE CENTRAL 10,296 SOUTH

OF THE DISTRICT SOUTH WEST 13% IS OPEN SPACE

31 LEGEND

Boundary Train Station Rail Line Motorway Roads Open Space Private Open Space Water

DENSITY (Dwellings/Ha) High >60 Medium < 45 Low < 25 <0.01

SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1

0 1.5 3km

Figure WC.1: West Central District Open Space and Density Map

32 WEST CENTRAL LANDSCAPE 1.1 CHARACTER

THE HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT AND THE CHARACTER OF SYDNEY HAS BEEN INFLUENCED BY TOPOGRAPHY AND THE UNDERLYING NATURAL FEATURES. THE SYDNEY GREEN GRID BUILDS UPON THE GEOMORPHOLOGY OF PLACE TO CREATE LOCALLY RESPONSIVE OPEN SPACE STRATEGIES. THESE LANDSCAPE FEATURES HAVE BEEN USED TO ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE PROJECT AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Parramatta Park, Parramatta Blacktown Showground Sydney Olympic Park

The landscape setting of the district is Sydney. The gentle topography and richer Olympic Park, Rookwood Cemetery and comprised of three major water catchments soils of the Cumberland Plain relative to the Prospect Reservoir. Prospect Reservoir is and their associated estuarine and fresh surrounding sandstone plateaus have made of major importance in the Sydney drinking water areas: the Hawkesbury Nepean; the the area suitable for a range of land uses water supply infrastructure network. Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour; the including agriculture and more recently urban In terms of heritage, the district has a long Georges River and Botany Bay catchments. expansion. Much of the area’s biodiversity is history of Aboriginal occupation manifest in now under threat, however the area retains The district is highly urbanised in the southern a large body of Aboriginal cultural heritage. many important environmental values. part, with the north consisting of extensive Evidence of European settlement and rural lands and Aboriginal and Crown land Built-up areas are interspersed with agriculture is manifest in its historic rural reserves. The urbanised part of the district industrial estates and feature extensive open properties and associated cultural plantings. forms the southern section of the district from space systems along the creek corridors, Today, the district is one of the metropolitan Sydney Olympic Park to Blacktown, and the together with native vegetation. They are area’s most culturally diverse regions. rural lands from Cattai Creek catchment to complemented by a system of parks, Marsden Park. including a number of large regional parks with well developed sport and recreation With less than 800mm of rainfall per year, infrastructure. They include the Western the Cumberland Plain is the driest part of Sydney Parklands, Parramatta Park, Sydney

33 STRATEGIC 1.2 CONTEXT

The West Central District includes the Open Space Initiatives Local Government Areas of Auburn, Increased population densities associated Blacktown, Cumberland City, Parramatta with proposed urban renewal areas will and The Hills Shire. The district will place pressure on existing open space. be a significant focus for growth and Greater open space quality, quantity and infrastructure development over the next connections within these areas has the 20 years. potential to improve the quality of life for Parramatta CBD communities and residents beyond the boundaries of any proposed development. Parramatta lies at the heart of the district and forms Sydney’s second CBD. As A number of initiatives are already in set out in A Plan for Growing Sydney, place reflect the strategic objectives of opportunities for urban renewal to the Sydney Green Grid. For example the be investigated in the centre include: Parramatta Cycleway upholds the principle Parramatta CBD, Westmead Health of increasing public access to and along Precinct, Parramatta North, Rydalmere the river foreshore and providing a variety Education Precinct and Camellia. of open space, recreation opportunities and active living connections. The Duck Strategic Centres and the North West River Cycleway has the potential to Growth Centre connect the Parramatta and Georges River Blacktown, Norwest, Castle Hill, Rouse via Salt Pan Creek. Hill Marsden Park and Sydney Olympic These initiatives along with infrastructure Park will support Parramatta as secondary and development projects and providing centres. The district also includes the improved access between centres, northernmost portion of the Western forms an important starting point for the Sydney Employment Lands (WSEL). implementation of the Green Grid strategy Western Sydney Infrastructure across Sydney. Major infrastructure investment will occur With significant population growth in the district. Construction of the Sydney projected across the Sydney Metropolitan Metro Northwest is currently underway region many suburbs will undergo dramatic and will provide a corridor connecting change to the existing character or land- Castle Hill with Rouse Hill and the North use within their region. The integration West Growth Centre (NWGC). Potential of open space with future transport and extension of the Sydney Metro Northwest development projects will contribute to to Marsden Park within the NWGC and increased liveability for communities. on to WSEL and Blacktown is being investigated. The potential Parramatta Light Rail with connections to centres THE VARIOUS AND UNIQUE LANDSCAPES OF SYDNEY ARE Bankstown, Sydney Olympic Park, Castle RECOGNISED AS AN ASSET THAT CAN REINFORCE CHARACTER, Hill and Liverpool. IDENTITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE. DELIVERED ALONGSIDE Urban Renewal Urban renewal and housing growth INFRASTRUCTURE AND URBAN RENEWAL AN ENHANCED NETWORK will be focused around established OF OPEN SPACE AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE CAN SERVE TO SHAPE and new centres and along key public transport corridors including the Sydney AND SUPPORT NEW AND EXISTING COMMUNITIES. Metro Northwest, the Western Line, the Cumberland Line, the Carlingford Line, Sydney Rapid Transit and bus T-Ways. The North West Growth Centre and Sydney Metro Northwest will afford the opportunity to ensure new developments provide new open space and integrated networks of pedestrian and cycle connections to accommodate the needs of existing and new residents.

34 THE HILLS SHIRE

NORTH KELLYVILLE

NORTH WEST PRIORITY GROWTH AREA

ROUSE HILL

MARSDEN PARK SYDNEY METRO NORTHWEST

CASTLE West Central District Location Plan HILL NORWEST BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL

BLACKTOWN MOUNT DRUITT EPPING

LEGEND CITY OF PARRAMATTA COUNCIL Motorway Roads Train Station Rail Line WESTERN Strategic Centre SYDNEY EMPLOYMENT District Centre AREA WESTMEAD WENTWORTH POINT Urban Renewal Corridor GREATER Key Regional Open Space PARRAMATTA GPOP URBAN District Open Space RENEWAL AREA SYDNEY Local Open Space OLYMPIC PARK Private Open Space CUMBERLAND CITY COUNCIL Priority Precincts and WESTERN SYDNEY Priority Growth Areas PRIORITY GROWTH Sydney Metro Northwest AREA

SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1

0 1.5 3km Figure WC.2: West Central District LGA Plan

35 WEST CENTRAL PROJECT OPPORTUNITY 1.3 CLUSTERS

THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF REGIONAL OPEN SPACE OPPORTUNITIES AS A SERIES OF PROJECT OPPORTUNITY CLUSTERS. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THESE CLUSTERS FORM A STARTING POINT FOR ENSURING THE MORE GENERALISED DISTRICT STRATEGIES AND ANY FUTURE PROJECT DELIVERY RESPONDS TO THE LOCAL STRATEGIC CONTEXT AND LANDSCAPE CONDITIONS.

WC.1.1 THE PARRAMATTA RIVER WC.1.3 NORTHERN AND WESTERN WC.1.6 LAKE PARRAMATTA AND WC.1.8 PROSPECT CREEK AND WC.1.10 ROPES AND SOUTH CREEKS WC.1.12 NORTH WEST GROWTH RAIL LINES DARLING MILLS CREEK RESERVOIR Western Sydney is defined by its network CENTRE The Parramatta River is the primary river This cluster is focused on the public realm Lake Parramatta and Darling Mills Sitting on the boundary between the West of creeks and rivers systems. Many creeks As existing rural residential areas are corridor leading to Sydney Harbour and and providing good connections between Creek provide an extraordinary natural Central and South West districts, Prospect suffer from poor water quality due to converted into large areas of suburban the point of convergence for the many regional open space, key centres, civic setting within the middle of suburban Creek and Reservoir are somewhat surrounding land-uses and reduced or development, the opportunity exists to tributaries that make up the rest of the space and public transport. development. As a regional open space isolated from surrounding suburbs by fragmented vegetation cover. As landuse ensure that the benefits offered by a catchment. Its east-west alignment, corridor this asset has the potential to infrastructure and industry. Constructed patterns change and development well integrated open space network is extensive foreshore areas, wetlands and WC.1.4 PARRAMATTA CBD AND contribute to recreation opportunities for in 1888 Prospect Reservoir is surrounded increases, these corridors have the maximised. In particular sustainable water regional parklands establish it as both an URBAN RENEWAL AREAS the Parramatta North Urban Renewal site by Cumberland Plain Woodland and potential to be enhanced to provide a management, biodiversity conservation important regional destination and linking As Sydney’s second CBD and one of along with Castle Hill and Cherrybrook on remains one of Western Sydney’s best greater contribution to healthy urban and regional scale active recreation corridor. The significance of this corridor and the most important centres in Western the Sydney Metro Northwest. examples of native bushland. While still environments. With a balanced approach opportunities should be considered. its contribution to a connected open space Sydney, Parramatta City Centre is a key a working reservoir the site is an import to access, biodiversity, development network is critical. This collection of projects regional destination and contains some of WC.1.7 THE HILLS DISTRICTS regional recreation destination and should and recreation these networks can form WC.1.13 PARRAMATTA LIGHT RAIL aims to support work being undertaken in the city’s most valuable heritage assets. Characterised by steep topography and be promoted though better access and valuable green infrastructure supporting Proposals for a Parramatta Light Rail the corridor by Parramatta City Council and Existing heritage trails and proposed public remnant bushland the Hills has numerous facilities. Access to both Fairfield and future growth in the district. projects have the capacity to transform establishes Parramatta River as the West domain upgrades such as the Parramatta valleys and corridors that support trails Blacktown could be improved. The regional open space access and Central district’s key active recreation link River Square are a valuable opportunity and walking networks. This network can adjoining creek corridor provides a number WC.1.11 THE SYDNEY METRO connections for the south-east portion and regional open space corridor. to enhance the centre as a regional be increased to provide greater active of opportunities for both improved access NORTHWEST AND NORTH WEST of the district to regional open space. destination. recreation opportunities and support new and urban greening. CREEKS This new infrastructure corridor has the WC.1.2 THE DUCK RIVER growth in Epping, Cherrybrook and Castle The Sydney Metro Northwest is currently opportunity to become a tree-lined transit The Duck River tributary begins in WC.1.5 TOONGABBIE AND Hill. WC.1.9 WESTERN SYDNEY Sydney’s largest infrastructure project and boulevard providing access to regional Bankstown and flows north into Parramatta BLACKTOWN CREEKS PARKLANDS AND EASTERN CREEK provides the opportunity for urban renewal open space. River. It is marked by a history of Toongabbie and Blacktown Creeks form Western Sydney Parklands is one of in the district. With new centres, increased urbanisation and significant commercial the only East-West open space corridor Western Sydney’s most significant regional density and greater access to public and industrial areas. Its floodplains have between Blacktown and Parramatta. open space assets. Balancing recreation, transport the open space network and its been encroached upon by development As a bushland corridor it is narrow and biodiversity, infrastructure and business, regional connections provide a valuable which in turn often poses a flood risk degraded. This corridor could provide the network will continue to develop opportunity to support growth within the to adjacent properties. The floodplain an opportunity for increasing access to and support future growth in coming area. Existing regional open space should is occupied by large amounts of open regional open space and providing a years. As the number of new recreation be supported with improved connections space and provides a number of sporting high quality link between Blacktown and opportunities such as Wet’n’Wild and to new precincts and high quality civic facilities for the neighbouring communities Parramatta. Bungarribee increase, improved access space around key centres. The area in Granville, Auburn and Bankstown. This from surrounding suburbs and key centres nearby the rail line includes a complex cluster of projects aims to build on the will need to be developed. network of creeks including; Cattai Creek, existing open space assets along Duck Caddies Creek, Strangers Creek, Smalls River to establish the corridor as a regional Creek, Elizabeth Macarthur Creek. destination with improved diversity of open space along the river, with the potential for ecological enhancement.

36 WC.1.12 ROUSE HILL NORTH WEST GROWTH MARSDEN PARK CENTRE WC.1.11 SYDNEY METRO CASTLE WC.1.7 HILL NORTHWEST THE HILLS WC.1.9 DISTRICTS WESTERN West Central District Location Plan SYDNEY NORWEST PARKLANDS

WC.1.10 ROPES AND BLACKTOWN SOUTH WC.1.6 CREEKS WC.1.3 LAKE EPPING NORTHERN AND PARRAMATTA WESTERN WC.1.5 RAIL LINES TOONGABBIE MOUNT AND BLACKTOWN DRUITT CREEKS WC.1.13 WESTMEAD PARRAMATTA LIGHT RAIL

WC.1.4 WC.1.1 PROSPECT RESERVOIR PARRAMATTA PARRAMATTA CBD RIVER

WC.1.8 SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK PROSPECT CREEK AND RESERVOIR

SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1 WC.1.2 DUCK RIVER 0 1.5 3km

Figure WC.3: West Central District Project Clusters Plan

37 INCREASE ACCESS 1.4 TO OPEN SPACE

CONNECT PEOPLE WITH KEY REGIONAL OPEN SPACE AND PROMOTE THE DISTRICTS OPEN SPACE ASSETS BY CREATING BETTER CONNECTIONS WITH MAJOR CENTRES, NEW TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND AREAS OF URBAN RENEWAL.

There are significant health and well-being A series of key strategic opportunities benefits associated with readily accessible, have been identified and include: high quality open space. Well-designed Create additional open space associated parks, plazas and streetscapes create with Camellia, Westmead Hospital highly liveable environments. Development and Western Sydney With future growth in the West Central University at Rydalmere. District estimated at 550,000 additional Undertake local open space studies to people in areas such as Parramatta, Castle increase access to open space at a local Hill, Norwest, Rouse Hill and Marsden level and ensure equity of access across Park, high quality open space and an the district. interconnected network will provide the opportunity to promote greater liveability. Continue to recognise Sydney Olympic Park as a key international destination and The West Central District has a wealth local asset. of key regional open spaces, creek corridors and natural resources within its Promote the beauty and accessibility catchments that will provide significant of Parramatta Park as a major regional Parramatta River Foreshores recreational opportunities for key centres. destination. Key regional connections and open spaces Improve access to Western Sydney include those along the Parramatta River, Parklands by creating new green corridors Parramatta Park, Lake Parramatta, The from Blacktown and Mount Druitt. Nepean River, Western Sydney Parklands, Investigate open space acquisition in those Prospect Reservoir Nature Reserve and the areas where there are deficiencies. proposed Sydney Metro Northwest. Opportunities to improve access to key open spaces from new growth areas A series of key project opportunities have will provide benefits for the existing been identified and include: and future population. Improvements to 1. Develop greater permeability associated access should also be accompanied by with the edges of Western Sydney improvements to the quality of the open Parklands. space and the facilities available. This will ensure a better user experience and 2. Connect Westmead and Parramatta potentially increase the capacity of existing North urban renewal areas with the open space. Parramatta River foreshore and regional destinations such as Lake Parramatta and Parramatta Park.

Brick Pit Ring, Sydney Olympic Park Lake Parramatta

38 NORTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE

ROUSE HILL

MARSDEN PARK

NORWEST CASTLE West Central District Location Plan HILL

3. Improve pedestrian and cycle connections across the M4 and M2 motorways and rail lines to facilitate access to major regional parks and creek MOUNT DRUITT BLACKTOWN corridors. 1

4. Continue to recognise, develop and EPPING promote key assets - Rouse Hill Regional 5 Park, the proposed new parklands at Caddies Creek and Bella Vista Farm as a regional destination associated with the LEGEND Norwest Town Centre. Motorway 5. Improve the connection between Roads Parramatta Park and Lake Parramatta Train Station 2 PARRAMATTA to support the Parramatta North Urban Rail Line Transformation Strategy. Strategic Centre 3 6. Reconnect Parramatta station and CBD District Centre 7 with the river with the new waterfront Local Centre destination River Square project. Urban Renewal Corridor 6 7. Reinforce a linear park along the National Parks Parramatta River, linking Sydney Olympic Regional Open Space Park and the world heritage listed District Open Space Parramatta Park, creating a contiguous SYDNEY Local Open Space open space network focusing on key OLYMPIC PARK spaces along the Parramatta River Private Open Space Foreshore. Proposed Regional Link

SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1

0 1.5 3km

Figure WC.4: West Central District Access to Open Space Plan

39 PROMOTE HEALTHY 1.5 AND ACTIVE LIVING

CREATE A LIVEABLE GREEN NETWORK OF HIGH QUALITY ACTIVE TRANSPORT LINKS CONNECTING KEY DESTINATIONS, CULTURAL FACILITIES, RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AND HERITAGE ITEMS.

Werribee Cycleway Parramatta Park

Walking and cycling are becoming spaces and the Parramatta River. With a increasingly important recreation and number of key links already in place, the transport choices. Increased opportunities district already has some good recreation for physical activity contribute significantly resources to build on. However, these to greater health within the community, links connecting regional open space are reducing health costs and increasing not evenly distributed across the district. quality of life. Walking and cycling have The Parramatta River and the filigree of some of the highest participation levels creek networks that divide the suburban out of all recreation types. Opportunities landscape provide significant opportunities for increasing Sydney’s network of active for residents and visitors to engage in transport links should provide links recreation, walking and cycling. Increased between the places people live and work development around rail stations will and the places that people want to visit. provide the opportunity to improve active The West Central district has many visitor transport networks. attractions, cultural facilities and places of interest associated with open space. Key areas of urban renewal will afford the opportunity to improve cycleway and footpath networks linking key open

Ermington Cycleway

40 CREATE NEW HIGH 1.6 QUALITY PUBLIC REALM

SUSTAINABLE REGENERATION HAS THE PUBLIC REALM AT ITS HEART. ESTABLISH A VIBRANT, PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY PUBLIC REALM AT KEY CENTRES, TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES AND URBAN RENEWAL AREAS, WITH PLACES FOR GATHERING AND GOOD CONNECTIONS TO OPEN SPACE.

Macquarie University Courtyard Centenary Square, Parramatta Centenary Square, Parramatta

Build an open space network with high City of Parramatta has committed to a A series of key project opportunities have quality public realm at the centre. Squares, program of rapid growth and recognises been identified and include: plazas and active streets offer important that an improved public domain is vital 1. Create high quality public domain recreation and open space opportunities to supporting the City Centre’s planned and civic space at key locations for social interaction. The public realm renewal. The public domain, is the shared associated with areas of urban offers a starting point for the development social, cultural and democratic heart of the renewal such as Parramatta, North of a well-used and connected open space city. The public realm offers the starting Parramatta, Camellia, Castle Hill, network. Key civic spaces or destinations point for the development of a well-used Norwest and Rouse Hill. should be integrated with public transport and connected open space network. The opportunities and existing development. Sydney Metro Northwest also provides 2. Create new public space as a benefit a significant opportunity to address the of large scale infrastructure projects public domain in the new transit-oriented including the Sydney Metro Northwest developments proposed at each station. and the potential Parramatta Light Rail project. 3. Create high quality public domain as Parramatta River Parramatta Laneways part of the Parramatta North urban renewal precinct.

41 WEST CENTRAL HAWKESBURY RIVER THE HYDROLOGICAL GRID

The Parramatta River Catchment is a key Prospect Reservoir was the first earth fill hydrological feature in the West Central embankment dam in Australia. It remains District. It occupies the majority of the an integral part of Sydney’s drinking developed area in the southern half of the water supply and is required in times of district and has important flow on effects high demand for water. down the Parramatta River into the North CATTAI CREEK and Central Districts. The northern half The Upper Duck River Wetlands in of the district is part of the Hawkesbury inner western Sydney are of regional Nepean River Catchment. The major conservation significance, providing tributaries through this area include home to three Threatened Ecological HAWKESBURY RIVER Cattai Creek and Little Cattai Creek. The Communities (TECs) and several catchments of Cattai and Little Cattai threatened species, and are highly valued Creeks discharge into the Hawkesbury by the local community. River at Cattai, in the West District.

Parramatta River is a major focal point, however, other smaller tributaries and creeks in the district, such as Eastern Creek, Darling Mills Creek, Duck River and Upper Parramatta River will need improved water sensitive urban design treatment to protect and continue improvements to water quality. Riparian areas also require consistent protections to prevent riparian disturbance and ensure ecological function is maintained. The natural character, visual amenity and public access to foreshores and rivers should also be protected and improved SOUTH CREEK

along all important riparian corridors. EASTERN CREEK EASTERN

ROPES CREEK

LEGEND TOONGABBIE CREEK

District Boundary Concrete Canals Rivers and Creeks Water Bodies PARRAMATTA RIVER PROSPECT RESERVOIR SCALE 1:100,000 @ A1

0 1 2 3 4 5km

Figure WC.5: West Central District Hydrological Grid Plan

42 CATTAI CREEK

SOUTH CREEK

ROPES CREEK

DARLING MILLS CREEK

TOONGABBIE CREEK EASTERN CREEK EASTERN

PARRAMATTA RIVER PROSPECT RESERVOIR

LEGEND

District Boundary Concrete Canals DUCK RIVER Rivers and Creeks Water Bodies

SCALE 1:100,000 @ A1

0 1 2 3 4 5km

Figure WC.6: West Central District Hydrological Grid Detail Plan

43 WEST CENTRAL HAWKESBURY RIVER THE ECOLOGICAL GRID

MAROOTA The south of the West-Central District the Office of Environment and Heritage The use of BioBanking is supported as RIDGE is highly urbanised, with areas of and councils. Where necessary, data and it provides in-perpetuity funding and fragmented bushland, and is part of the mapping of areas of high environmental security to protect and enhance the CATTAI Cumberland Plain. To the north are rural value will be ground-truthed to improve biodiversity values of protected areas. NATIONAL PARK lands, Crown and Aboriginal reserves. accuracy. These areas can also contribute valuable The north is less urbanised, containing links to the Sydney Green Grid’s open large areas of native vegetation and The Office of Environment and Heritage space network. habitat for threatened species. has also developed a Biodiversity CATTAI CREEK Investment Opportunities Map (BIO Map) It is recommended that local communities While the district has the least protected for part of Greater Sydney. The BIO Map are engaged about the biological assets HAWKESBURY RIVER areas it does include part of the Western identifies priority areas for investment of their ‘local patch of bush’ to encourage Sydney Parklands, Prospect Nature in bushland protection and restoration, active involvement in the protection and Reserve and a future national park comprising core areas of bushland and enhancement of bushland and other at Shane’s Park. The protection of corridors, that are important at a state biodiversity. This will require engagement biodiversity in areas used for recreation and regional level for biodiversity. of local communities about the multiple and open spaces will be critical. benefits of their local bush, riparian Important biodiversity areas should areas and waterways and action to The primary values of the West-Central be connected and planning and improve the ecological literacy to deepen METROPOLITAN District include large areas of the TECs zoning provisions applied to protect the community perception of green RURAL AREA typical of Western Sydney (Cumberland important corridors. Corridors aim to infrastructure. Plain Woodland, Shale Gravel Transition provide ecological connectivity, to Forest and River-flat Eucalypt Forest), facilitate the movement and dispersal Volunteer and community groups are and large populations of threatened of native flora and fauna across the an important sector in the rehabilitation plants associated with the Castlereagh landscape. Connecting biodiverse areas of native vegetation in urban areas. In gravels. is particularly important in the face of recognition of the effort and funding climate change. Opportunities should dedicated to these areas, a level of Other values include large numbers of be investigated to enhance native protection should be provided through records of the Green and Golden Bell biodiversity in Green Grid corridors to the planning process by applying SOUTH CREEK Frog, Cumberland Plain Land Snail and help expand the urban forest to achieve appropriate provisions and mechanisms. several threatened bats. canopy cover targets.

Sydney Olympic Park is a biodiversity Protection and offsetting of impacts will hotspot with significant habitats for be supported by innovative approaches many native species of plants, birds, such as Biodiversity Certification and LEGEND CREEK EASTERN frogs, bats, reptiles and fish including the Biodiversity Banking (BioBanking), endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog. both of which were supported by the District Boundary ROPES CREEK Independent Biodiversity Legislation Concrete Canals Many areas of high biodiversity are Review Panel, whose recommendations Rivers and Creeks TOONGABBIE CREEK protected in national parks and nature were endorsed by the NSW Government Water Bodies reserves, as well as on privately in early 2015. BioMap Core Areas owned land managed for conservation BioMap Regional Corridors purposes. The protection of biodiversity The use of Biodiversity Certification in in the landscape provides a range of strategic locations is supported as it High Environmental Lands PARRAMATTA RIVER environmental, social and economic identifies areas of high conservation value Metropolitan Rural Area benefits. Detailed information on areas and these areas can be protected and PROSPECT of high environmental is available from included into the Sydney Green Grid RESERVOIR SCALE 1:100,000 @ A1 network. SYDNEY 0 1 2 3 4 5km OLYMPIC PARK Figure WC.7: West Central District Ecological Grid Plan

44 METROPOLITAN RURAL AREA

An important objective of the Sydney CATTAI CREEK Green Grid is to create a network of interlinked, biodiversity rich green spaces that comprise open space, accessible bushland and riparian areas.

EASTERN CREEK In addition to being part of the Sydney SOUTH CREEK Green Grid, vegetated riparian areas are SHANE’S PARK beneficial for improving water quality, providing habitat for a large diversity of flora and fauna, serving as migration routes and stopping points between habitats for a variety of wildlife, stabilising stream banks and reducing flood water WIANAMATTA velocity. REGIONAL PARK

It is very important that the Green Grid be described not only in terms of connecting communities, but also in terms of an opportunity to enhance biodiversity within the Grid and improve community access ROPES CREEK to bushland and other natural areas. TOONGABBIE CREEK DARLING MILLS NOTE: Ecological Grid values and text CREEK provided in consultation with the Office of

Environment and Heritage [OEH]. EASTERN CREEK EASTERN

LEGEND PARRAMATTA RIVER PROSPECT District Boundary RESERVOIR Concrete Canals Rivers and Creeks Water Bodies BioMap Core Areas SYDNEY BioMap Regional Corridors DUCK RIVEROLYMPIC PARK High Environmental Lands Metropolitan Rural Area

SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1

0 1.5 3km Figure WC.8: West Central District Ecological Grid Detail Plan

45 WEST CENTRAL HAWKESBURY RIVER THE RECREATIONAL GRID

MAROOTA RECREATION RIDGE Key features and findings regarding recreational open space planning for both CATTAI passive and active sports are currently NATIONAL PARK being analysed and will be described in collaboration with other consultancies.

CATTAI CREEK HERITAGE Retention of important heritage HAWKESBURY RIVER characteristics, places and landscapes should be a key priority from the early planning stages as these places contribute to the district’s identity and provide a sense of place, history and visual character. They also contribute to the economy through the attraction of visitors. Heritage is a non-renewable METROPOLITAN resource and the significance of heritage RURAL AREA to the community should be appreciated, valued, protected and conserved for the benefit of current and future generations.

Aboriginal cultural heritage is legally protected in NSW. Protecting Aboriginal heritage means far more than looking after sites in parks or artefacts in LEGEND museums. Aboriginal people need to SOUTH CREEK be consulted on the conservation of the District Boundary natural environment and the development Concrete Canals of areas. Rivers and Creeks Water Bodies Acknowledge heritage resources as a Bushland ‘value addition’ in urban development. CREEK EASTERN This will include identifying significant Civic heritage values and incorporating them Parklands ROPES CREEK into developments, including the adaptive Cemetery reuse of heritage resources. Golf Course Horse Racing The District Plan needs to recognise Sports and highlight the heritage significance of cultural landscapes that form the Green Cycleways Existing Grid including Parramatta Park and Cycleways Proposed PARRAMATTA RIVER Domain, North Parramatta Precinct, Bella Vista Farm, Prospect Reservoir and Duck PROSPECT River wetlands. RESERVOIR SCALE 1:100,000 @ A1 SYDNEY 0 1 2 3 4 5km OLYMPIC PARK

Figure WC.9: West Central District Recreational Grid Plan

46 METROPOLITAN RURAL AREA

Other culturally significant sites within the CATTAI CREEK district include: • Blacktown Native Institution for its historical, social and archaeological values. • Colebee/Nurragingy Land Grant – the first land grant given to Aboriginal people in Australia. SOUTH CREEK • Rooty Hill – colonial and post- contact values. • The Parramatta Sand Body. Archaeological investigation of the sand body has uncovered a substantial archaeological WIANAMATTA record that has contributed to REGIONAL PARK our understanding of pre-colonial Aboriginal occupation of the Parramatta area and more broadly, the Cumberland Plain. • Parramatta Park is considered both a European and Aboriginal ROPES CREEK archaeological resource of national significance. DARLING MILLS • Rouse Hill House and cultural CREEK plantings.

LEGEND EASTERN CREEK EASTERN District Boundary WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS Concrete Canals Rivers and Creeks Water Bodies Bushland PARRAMATTA RIVER Civic PROSPECT Parklands RESERVOIR Cemetery Golf Course Horse Racing Sports SYDNEY DUCK RIVEROLYMPIC PARK Cycleways Existing Cycleways Proposed

SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1

0 1.5 3km

Figure WC.10: West Central District Recreational Grid Detail Plan

47 WEST CENTRAL HAWKESBURY RIVER THE GREEN GRID EXISTING VALUES

MAROOTA The Green Grid Existing Values plans RIDGE represent a combination of the current values from the Hydrological, Ecological CATTAI and Recreational Grids. This shows the NATIONAL PARK weighting of valued open space lands across the district and the balance of Hydrological, Ecological and Recreational values across the district. CATTAI CREEK

HAWKESBURY RIVER

SOUTH CREEK

LEGEND

District Boundary

Concrete Canals EASTERN CREEK EASTERN Rivers and Creeks

Water Bodies ROPES CREEK BioMap Core Areas BioMap Regional Corridors High Environmental Lands Public Open Space Metropolitan Rural Area Cycleways Existing Cycleways Proposed PARRAMATTA RIVER PROSPECT RESERVOIR SCALE 1:100,000 @ A1 SYDNEY 0 1 2 3 4 5km OLYMPIC PARK

Figure WC.11: West Central Green Grid Existing Values Plan

48 METROPOLITAN RURAL AREA

CATTAI CREEK

SOUTH CREEK SHANE’S PARK

WIANAMATTA REGIONAL PARK

ROPES CREEK

DARLING MILLS

CREEK EASTERN CREEK EASTERN

WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS

LEGEND

District Boundary Concrete Canals Rivers and Creeks PARRAMATTA RIVER PROSPECT Water Bodies RESERVOIR BioMap Core Areas BioMap Regional Corridors High Environmental Lands Public Open Space SYDNEY Metropolitan Rural Area DUCK RIVEROLYMPIC PARK Cycleways Existing Cycleways Proposed

SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1

0 1.5 3km

Figure WC.12: West Central Green Grid Existing Values Detail Plan

49 WEST CENTRAL 45 GREEN GRID PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

40 Parramatta Park, Parramatta Blacktown Showground

41 A series of project opportunities have 41 46 been identified in consultation with the 37 28 Office of the Government Architect, 43 the Greater Sydney Commission, NSW Department of Planning and Environment as well as other interest groups and 10 28 government agencies. 10 The project opportunity list represents the projects identified by various interest groups and governments as potential priority projects.

The “Dominant Grid Layer” in the Project List refers to the infrastructure layer of the city that is most concerned with this project, and as a result may have funding allocated to it. Sydney Olympic Park

1 SCALE 1:100,000 @ A1

0 1 2 3 4 5km

Figure WC.13: West Central Green Grid Project Opportunities 4 16 50 WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT: THE GREEN GRID PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES 41

PROJECT OPPORTUNITY DOMINANT GRID LAYER 1. Parramatta River Foreshore HYDROLOGICAL 2. Parramatta Light Rail TRANSPORT 3. Great West Walk: Parramatta to Penrith TRANSPORT 28 4. Duck River Corridor HYDROLOGICAL 46 37 5. Sydney Metro Northwest TRANSPORT 41 6. Sydney Metro Northwest Potential Extension TRANSPORT 7. M7 Motorway Pedestrian and Cycle Link TRANSPORT 18 28 8. M2 Motorway Pedestrian and Cycle Link TRANSPORT 9. Western Sydney Parklands and NW Link RECREATIONAL 10. Cattai and Caddies Creek Corridors HYDROLOGICAL 11. Darling Mills Creek Corridor HYDROLOGICAL 12. Parramatta to Penrith Rail Corridor TRANSPORT 43 10 13. Little Duck Creek Corridor HYDROLOGICAL 14. Parramatta to Bankstown Rail Corridors TRANSPORT 15. Prospect Reservoir Water Pipeline UTILITIES 44 6 EASTERN CREEK 16. Prospect Creek Parklands RECREATIONAL 17. Sydney Metro Northwest to T1 Western Line TRANSPORT 10 18. Windsor Road Active Transport Corridor TRANSPORT 9 19. Duck Creek HYDROLOGICAL 20. Rookwood Cemetery UTILITIES 39 26 21. M4 Overpass and A’Beckett Creek HYDROLOGICAL SHANE’S PARK 22. Parramatta Road Urban Transformation TRANSPORT 23. Toongabbie and Blacktown Creeks HYDROLOGICAL 5 17 51 24. Lidcombe TAFE, Sydney Uni Precinct RECREATIONAL 36 25. Ropes Creek Corridor HYDROLOGICAL 38 26. Second Ponds Creek and The Ponds HYDROLOGICAL 7 27. Parramatta to Strathfield Rail Corridor UTILITIES ROPES CREEK 29 28. Blue Gum, Scaly Bark and Guppy Creek HYDROLOGICAL 11 29. Blacktown Creek and Rail Corridor HYDROLOGICAL DARLING 30. Prospect to Seven Hills Elec Easement UTILITIES 3 WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS MILLS CREEK 31. North Parramatta and Dundas Creeks HYDROLOGICAL 12 8 32. Carlingford Rail Line TRANSPORT 50 33. Upper Haslams Creek and Wyatt Park HYDROLOGICAL 23 30 34. Powells Creek and Mason Park HYDROLOGICAL 25 2 35. Clay Cliff Creek and Jubilee Park HYDROLOGICAL 2 23 36. Bells Creek, Marsden Park HYDROLOGICAL 49 37. Killarney Chain of Ponds and Ponds Ck HYDROLOGICAL 42 32 38. Breakfast Ck and Nth Blacktown CBD HYDROLOGICAL 48 31 39. Shane’s Park and Wianamatta Nature Res ECOLOGICAL 40. Marramarra National Park and Trails ECOLOGICAL 1 PARRAMATTA RIVER 41. Rural Area: Pitt Town to Dural RURAL PROSPECT 35 2 42. North Parramatta Urban Renewal DEVELOPMENT RESERVOIR 43. South Creek HYDROLOGICAL 21 44. First Ponds Creek HYDROLOGICAL 45. Hawkesbury River to Wisemans Ferry HYDROLOGICAL 19 46. Old Northern Road to Wisemans Ferry TRANSPORT DUCK RIVER 15 22 33 47. Little Cattai Creek HYDROLOGICAL 16 48. M4 Motorway Corridor TRANSPORT 13 14 34 49. Great Western Highway Corridor TRANSPORT 50. Lake Parramatta and Hunts Creek ECOLOGICAL 4 51. Marsden Park Elec Easement UTILITIES SCALE 1:60,000 @ A1 27 0 1.5 3km 2 20 Figure WC.14: West Central Green Grid Project Opportunities Detail 24

51 Prospect Reservoir Parklands

52 PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

WEST

NORTH WEST CENTRAL

CENTRAL

SOUTH

SOUTH WEST

53 METHODOLOGY FOR PRELIMINARY PRIORITISATION OF PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

The Green Grid projects have been Each project is given a total score based analysed against ten priority criteria. on the sum of the above values. Of Each project has been given a total score the projects that score 10 or higher (of which represents its level of priority in the a possible 12), Priority projects were Green Grid network. The ten criteria are: selected based on relevance to future development requirements and other • Existing ecological, hydrological and Greater Sydney Commission and NSW recreational value Planning priorities. For each district two • Regional potential to connect to or three projects are selected and are other Green Grid projects highlighted dark green in the project • Super District Scale potential to prioritisation matrix. High scoring connect across Local Government projects that are not deemed as Priority Area and District Boundaries Projects combined with projects that • Projects proximity to development score 8 or higher are defined as other • Projects with lands currently important projects and are highlighted controlled by the Office of Strategic light green in the project prioritisation Lands (OSL) matrix. From the “other important • Projects identified by Local Council’s project opportunities” list a shortlist were as priorities during the Greater selected for further investigation and Sydney Commission’s Technical consideration in the District Plans, based Working Group process. on their immediate relevance to other • Projects in regions with open space Greater Sydney Commission and NSW deficiency as identified in the Planning priorities. Government Architect’s Office Open Space Audit. • Projects that overlap or provide important connections to NSW Department of Planning Priority Precincts.

54 WEST CENTRAL PRELIMINARY PROJECT PRIORITISATION MATRIX TYRRELLSTUDIO

PRIORITY PROJECT CRITERIA POTENTIAL PROJECT VALUES OVERLAP & PROXIMITY VALUES PRIORITY COUNT ECOLOGICAL HYDROLOGICAL RECREATIONAL CONNECTIVITY SUPER DISTRICT PROXIMITY TO OSL LANDS GSC TWG OPEN SPACE PRECINCT PROJECT NAME VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE SCALE VALUE DEVELOPMENT OVERLAP FOCUS DEFICIENCY OVERLAP GREEN GRID PROJECT TYPE [CATEGORY WEIGHTING] [0-1] [0-1] [0-1] [0-2] [0-2] [0-1] [0-1] [0-1] [0-1] [0-1]

WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES 1. Parramatta River Foreshore 11 111221 111Waterway Corridor 2. Parramatta Light Rail 8 1221 1 1Transport Corridors 3. Great West Walk: Parramatta to Penrith 7 1221 1 Mixed Open Space Corridor 4. Duck River Open Space Corridor 12 1112211111Waterway Corridor 5. Sydney Metro Northwest 7 1221 1 Transport Corridors 6. Sydney Metro Northwest Potential Extension 8 1 122 11Transport Corridors 7. M7 Motorway Pedestrian and Cycle Link 8 1 1221 1 Transport Corridors 8. M2 Motorway Pedestrian and Cycle Link 6 1221 Transport Corridors 9. Western Sydney Parklands Extension and Connections 11 111221 111Parkland Corridors 10. Cattai and Caddies Creek Corridors 8 1112 11 1Waterway Corridor 11. Darling Mills Creek Corridor 71112 11 Waterway Corridor 12. Parramatta to Penrith Rail Corridor 4 12 1 Transport Corridors 13. Little Duck Creek Corridor 7 112 1 11Waterway Corridor 14. Parramatta to Bankstown Rail Corridors 8 1221 11Transport Corridors 15. Prospect Reservoir Water Pipeline Corridor 10 11221111 Utilities Easements 16. Prospect Creek Parklands 71112 1 1 Waterway Corridor 17. North West Rail Line Potential Southern Extension 7 11221 Transport Corridors 18. Windsor Road Active Transport Corridor Upgrade 5 12 1 1 Transport Corridors 19. Duck Creek 8 1112 1 11Waterway Corridor 20. Rookwood Cemetery 6 12 1 11 Utilities Easements 21. M4 Overpass and A’Beckett Creek Open Space Corridor 7 112 1 11Mixed Open Space Corridor 22. Parramatta Road Corridor 9 1221 111Transport Corridors 23. Toongabbie and Blacktown Creeks Corridor 8 1112 1 11Waterway Corridor 24. Lidcombe TAFE, Sydney Uni and Heritage Precinct 6 11 1 111Mixed Open Space Corridor 25. Ropes Creek Corridor 11 111221111 Waterway Corridor 26. Second Ponds Creek and The Ponds 7 112 1 11Waterway Corridor 27. Strathfield to Lidcombe Disused Rail Corridor 6 1221 Former Infrastructure 28. Blue Gum, Scaly Bark and Guppy Creek Corridors 3111 Waterway Corridor 29. Blacktown Creek and Rail Corridor Open Space 8 11221 1 Waterway Corridor 30. Prospect to Seven Hills Transmission Easement 7 1221 1 Utilities Easements 31. North Parramatta and Dundas Creeks 71112 1 1 Waterway Corridor 32. Carlingford Rail Line 4 12 1 Transport Corridors 33. Upper Haslams Creek and Wyatt Park, Auburn 5 112 1 Waterway Corridor 34. Powells Creek and Mason Park 71112 1 1 Waterway Corridor 35. Clay Cliff Creek and Jubilee Park 6 112 1 1 Waterway Corridor 36. Bells Creek, Marsden Park 6 112 1 1 Waterway Corridor 37. Killarney Chain of Ponds and First Ponds Creek 5 112 1 Waterway Corridor 38. Breakfast Creek and North Blacktown CBD Green Links 8 1112 11 1 Waterway Corridor 39. Shanes Park and Wianamatta Nature Reserve and Creeks 61112 1 Ecological Lands 40. Marramarra National Park and Trails 3111 Ecological Lands 41. Rural Lands incl. Pitt Town, Kenthurst and Dural 3 11 1 Rural Landscape Protection 42. North Parramatta Urban Renewal Open Space Corridor 6 12 1 11Urban Centre Street Links 43. South Creek 11 111221 111Waterway Corridor 44. First Ponds Creek 7 112 1 11Waterway Corridor 45. Hawkesbury River to Wisemans Ferry 6111 2 1 Waterway Corridor 46. Old Northern Road to Wisemans Ferry 3 12 Transport Corridors 47. Little Cattai Creek 5111 2 Waterway Corridor 48. M4 Motorway Corridor 7 1221 1 Transport Corridors 49. Great Western Highway Corridor 7 1221 1 Transport Corridors 50. Lake Parramatta and Hunts Creek 71112 1 1 Ecological Lands 51. Marsden Park Elec Easement 6 12 1 11Utilities Easements

NOTE: South Creek passes along the District Boundary between West Central and West District. Please refer to the West District for further information about the South Creek Priority Project.

55 Armoury Wharf, Sydney Olympic Park

56 WEST CENTRAL PRELIMINARY PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR FURTHER SCOPING

A selection of priority and important Green Grid projects opportunities have been selected for further scoping. The selected projects represent a mix of Priority and important Green Grid projects. The selected projects also represent a mix of project types including projects with hydrological, ecological, recreational, transport and utility infrastructure values. The projects selected for further scoping may not represent the highest priority projects but aim to further understand the potential issues around different project types.

1. PARRAMATTA RIVER 2. DUCK RIVER CORRIDOR 3. ROPES CREEK CORRIDOR FORESHORE

The Parramatta River is the primary river The Duck River tributary flows from Ropes Creek is an important creek corridor leading to Sydney Harbour and Bankstown north to the Parramatta corridor for the West and West Central the point of convergence for the many River. The floodplain is occupied by Districts, and runs for 20km from Cecil tributaries that make up the rest of the large amounts of open space and Hills and the Western Sydney Parklands catchment. Its east-west alignment, provides a number of sporting facilities north-west to Wianamatta Regional Park extensive foreshore parklands and for the neighbouring communities in and Shane’s Park. It is a major tributary wetlands make it an important regional Granville, Auburn and Bankstown. This to South Creek, and has important corridor. The project aims to create a projects aims to build on the existing threatened ecological communities contiguous open space network on both open space assets along Duck River along its length. This project aims to sides of the river, connecting key spaces to establish the corridor as a regional protect and enhance the ecologically along the River foreshore from Westmead destination with improved recreational valued lands, improve water quality and and Parramatta Park to Sydney Olympic open space, ecological enhancement stormwater runoff, and provide a diverse Park, Rhodes, Hen and Chicken Bay and and stormwater treatment. It will also and connected sequence of recreational 3. Iron Cove Bay. create a continuous walking and cycling open spaces, walking and cycling trails. link north-south connecting Parramatta, The project aims to create a green link Camellia and Olympic Park to Granville, that connects nearby suburbs including Auburn, Chullora, Regents Park, Sefton Cecil Hills, Erskine Park, Minchinbury, and Bankstown. Mount Druitt, Oxley Park, St. Marys and Ropes Crossing. 1.

2. Figure WC.15: West Central Preliminary Priority Projects Plan

57 PARRAMATTA RIVER FORESHORE WEST CENTRAL: PRIORITY PROJECT

Parramatta River Ermington Bay Nature Trail Sydney Olympic Park

The Parramatta River foreshore is a major of North Parramatta will be enhanced Development of the Ermington Green Grid project that has been under to provide access and recreational foreshores will continue to provide development by many stakeholders for opportunities that complement the unique recreational opportunities, whilst many years. Parramatta City Council and heritage and uses of this diverse precinct. recognising the industrial heritage of the the Sydney Olympic Park Authority have Parramatta Park conserved as a cultural river. improved the publicly accessible edges and historical icon, harmoniously co- to the foreshores around Parramatta Park existent with recreational and sporting The Rhodes, Camellia and Rydalmere and Parramatta CBD, Haslams Creek and facilities integrated with the surrounding industrial areas under consideration the Blaxland Riverside Park area. Some environment and the community. for redevelopment will provide an of the following descriptions of important opportunity for development to improve aspects of the Parramatta Foreshore have The city centre will celebrate the river as its address to the river and provide been developed from the “Parramatta a local and regionally significant asset significant river edge open space. River Foreshore Plan 2009-2016.“ within the metropolitan region. The river’s edge will be activated through strategic The Parramatta River foreshores shall be mixed use development, interpreting a unique and significant living corridor Parramatta’s unique history and creating of healthy and dynamic natural systems, further pedestrian connections from key rich history, and recreational opportunity. sites such as Civic Place, Horwood and Erby Place. The foreshore vision can be supplemented with more specific As the river based entrance to the City visions for individual precincts to Centre, the Harris Park foreshores assist implementation of actions and will celebrate the river as a local and guiding future decision making. Nine regionally significant asset and focus precincts have been identified from Lake on attractive and appealing foreshores Parramatta in the west to Ermington in that provide for habitat, access and the east. recreation.

Lake Parramatta will be conserved Future development of the foreshore will as a unique urban bushland remnant embrace the industrial past of the area, and the head of the river corridor, with with a renewed commitment to natural complementary access and recreation values, recreational potential and visual opportunities to connect into the greater quality. river corridor network. The foreshores

58 A.

C. D. J. F. E. G.

H. K. L.

M. POTENTIAL FOCUS AREAS LEGEND A. Lake Parramatta to North Parramatta

Existing Roads B. Westmead, Cumberland Hospital Existing Rail Lines and North Parramatta Urban Renewal Local Streets C. Lennox Street Bridge and Weir, Parramatta CBD Waterways D. Charles Street and Queens Wharf, Parramatta CBD Green Grid Projects E. Clay Cliff Creek and James Ruse Drive Existing Open Space F. Carlingford Rail Line, Subiaco Creek High Environmental Lands and Rydalmere Industrial Area Key Opportunity Sites G. Subiaco Creek and Camellia Waterfront

Potential Open Space H. Duck River and Camellia Wetlands, Camellia J. Ermington Boat Ramp to Archer Creek, Melrose Park K. Rhodes Point to Concord Road, Rhodes L. Kissing Point Park to Putney Park, Putney M. Mortlake Point to Concord Hospitals, Mortlake

Figure WC.16: Parramatta River Foreshore Potential Focus Areas

59 DUCK RIVER A. WEST CENTRAL: PRIORITY PROJECT B.

Duck River, Camellia Duck River The Duck River corridor is an important the catchment include runoff from urban POTENTIAL FOCUS AREAS north-south link, that has the potential areas, sewage overflow and pollution A. to provide an open space link from from the industrial area. Parramatta River and Silverwater Park D. Bankstown to Camellia, Sydney Olympic B. Parramatta Road Park and the Parramatta River. This The Duck River Biodiversity Corridor C. Clyde and Auburn Rail Stations project has the opportunity to provide originates within the Bankstown Local D. Wellington Road Nature Reserve a singular link between the Parramatta Government Area (LGA). The corridor River and the George River by connecting begins at two separate points. One is and Auburn Golf Course the Duck River and Salt Pan Creek high up in the Duck River Catchment, at E. Lower Prospect Pipeline projects. It follows the Duck River and Walshaw Park, Bass Hill, and the other F. Campbelltown Rail Line, Sefton connects a variety of open space types is at O’Neill Park, Yagoona. The two including Duck River Nature Reserve, arms of the corridor converge just north G. Duck River Canal and Auburn Golf Course, Auburn Botanic of Maluga Passive Park in Jim Ring Maluga Passive Park, Birrong E. Gardens and many sports fields from Reserve. The corridor then proceeds in Sefton to Auburn. a northerly direction through Jim Ring Reserve, under the Inner West Rail There are a number of major Line, past Jensen Reserve towards the infrastructure corridors that intersect Sydney Water Pipeline, and into the F. Duck River, including the Lower Prospect Local Government Area’s of Auburn and Pipeline, the Parramatta Rail Line, Parramatta. LEGEND M4 Motorway and Parramatta Road Existing Roads corridors. Clear and legible connections across these corridors will be critical to Existing Rail Lines creating a continuous and connected Local Streets open space corridor. Waterways Green Grid Projects The Duck River catchment is an area of G. Existing Open Space 5.8 square kilometres and includes the suburbs of Birrong, Sefton, Yagoona, High Environmental Lands Bass Hill and Regents Park. It drains Key Opportunity Sites north to the Parramatta River. Landuse within this catchment is dominated by Potential Open Space residential development, with significant parklands along the river and an industrial area at Sefton. Pressures on Figure WC.17: Duck River Potential Focus Areas

60 IMPORTANT CROSS CONNECTIONS The important cross connections for this project include existing and potential connections into surrounding neighbourhoods and to adjacent Green Grid project opportunities.

The connections include existing roads, infrastructure corridors, creek lines, open space corridors and potential future street structures where projects intersect with priority precincts. This diagram is intended to highlight the priority connections that should be investigated in any future project scoping.

LEGEND

Existing Roads Existing Rail Lines Local Streets Waterways Green Grid Projects Existing Open Space High Environmental Lands

Important Cross Connections

Figure WC.18: Duck River Potential Important Cross Connections

61 ROPES CREEK WEST CENTRAL: IMPORTANT PROJECT

ROPES CROSSING BOULEVARDE

B. WHALAN

ST MARYS C.

OXLEY PK PENRITH RAILWAY LINE

MT DRUITT

Plough and Harrow Reserve Ropes Creek GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY COLYTON D. Ropes Creek is an important north-south POTENTIAL FOCUS AREAS M4 MOTORWAY tributary of South Creek. Connecting E. from South Creek at Ropes Crossing to A. Ropes Creek Blvd and Forrester Road, St Marys Elizabeth Drive and the Western Sydney B. Debincat Ave and Whalan Reserve, Tregear Parklands, Ropes Creek will become a C. Penrith Rail Line and Durham St, Oxley Pk critical open space corridor as growth in D. Great Western Highway, Minchinbury ST CLAIR the South West Growth Centre develops. E. Western Motorway and Roper Road Private Holdings The northern sections of Ropes Creek F. Warragamba Pipeline and Lenore Dr, Erskine Pk provide some open space near St Marys, G. Elizabeth Drive and Rural Holdings, Cecil Pk F. Tregear and Mt Druitt. The southern H. sections are currently part of rural M7 Motorway and Western Sydney Parklands, Cecil Pk LENORE DRIVE residential lots. Consistent treatment of riparian lands and continuous open WARRAGAMBA PIPELINE space will be important elements in the structuring future development of the South West. SOUTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE LEGEND

Existing Roads H. M7 MOTORWAY Existing Rail Lines Local Streets Waterways G. Green Grid Projects Existing Open Space High Environmental Lands ELIABETH DRIVE

Key Opportunity Sites

Potential Open Space

Figure WC.19: Ropes Creek Potential Focus Areas

62 ROPES CROSSING BOULEVARDE

ROPES CREEK SCHOOL

ST MARYS

UWS

PENRITH RAILWAY LINE

MT DRUITT

GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY COLYTON SCHOOL IMPORTANT CROSS M4 MOTORWAY CONNECTIONS The important cross connections MICHINBURY ERSKINE PK EMPLOYMENT for this project include existing and ST CLAIR ONE potential connections into surrounding neighbourhoods and to adjacent Green Grid project opportunities.

The connections include existing roads, infrastructure corridors, creek lines, open space corridors and potential future ERSKINE PK TO PROSPECT RESERVOIR - street structures where projects intersect EMPLOYMENT with priority precincts. This diagram ONE is intended to highlight the priority WARRAGAMBA PIPELINE connections that should be investigated in any future project scoping.

SOUTH WEST GROWTH CENTRE M7 MOTORWAY LEGEND

Existing Roads Existing Rail Lines Local Streets Waterways Green Grid Projects Existing Open Space High Environmental Lands ELIABETH DRIVE

Important Cross Connections

Figure WC.20: Ropes Creek Potential Important Cross Connections

63 Lake Parramatta

64 WEST CENTRAL OTHER IMPORTANT GREEN GRID PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

Prospect Reservoir Water Cattai and Caddies Creek Parramatta Road Urban Blacktown Creek and Rail Breakfast Creek and North Toongabbie and Pipeline Corridor Corridors Transformation Corridor Open Space Blacktown Links Blacktown Creeks

The Prospect Reservoir Water Pipeline The Cattai Creek and Creek catchment Opportunities for uplift along the Blacktown Creek and the Blacktown Rail Breakfast Creek is an open space Corridor occupy a unique corridor from stretches from Glenwood, Bella Vista Parramatta Road corridor will also Corridor form the an east-west open corridor that links between Western Create a continuous Great Western Walk Prospect Reservoir Parklands to Duck and Norwest north through Kellyville and include improved north-south green link space corridor between Blacktown and Sydney Parklands and the suburbs of trail for walking and cycling from Sydney River and Rookwood Cemetery. The Rouse Hill. The creek corridors continue connectivity between centres, regional Parramatta. Blacktown, Lalor Park and Seven Hills. to the Blue Mountains. Toongabbie and Pipeline Corridor offers the potential for north for over 20km to Cattai where they open spaces, Parramatta River and the Girraween Creeks form an east-west a linear park through Greystanes and feed into the Hawkesbury River. Other Cooks River. open space corridor between Blacktown Merrylands and build upon the existing tributaries in this creek network include and Parramatta. As a bushland corridor projects along Prospect Creek and the Smalls Creek, Elizabeth Macarthur Creek it is narrow and degraded. It is an Lower Prospect Canal Reserve. and Strangers Creek. Together these important hydrological and recreational creek corridors are important elements asset for the region. The project also has the potential to in the hydrological and ecological improve the quality of open space for networks of the North West. This project recreation, active transport and urban aims to make use of the creek corridors greening, while maintaining security for for recreation, active transport, urban the pipeline. greening, improved water quality and stormwater treatment and ecological This project has the potential of protection. The project will also create continuing the east-west line of the east-west links that provide access Cooks River across the Sydney Basin. between the parallel creek corridors. Other important connections to Green Grid links include the Duck River, Western Sydney Parklands, Warragamba Pipeline, the Lower Prospect Canal and Prospect Creek.

65 BIBLIOGRAPHY IMAGE CREDITS

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(Green Corridors Program) Source: http://www.weekendnotes.com/ WS15 41 NSW Department of Planning (DoP) uk/20110118095356/http:/www.cabe.org. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ parramatta-river-walk/ Source: Centenary Square, Parramatta (December 2010), Recreation and Open uk/files/green-space-strategies.pdf protectedareas/npestabplan.htm Photo: Weekendnotes.com contributor http://www.jmddesign.com.au/ Space Planning Guidelines For Local “GMV – GotMyVote!” Photo: James Mather Delaney Design Ely, M. and Pitman, S. (2012), Green Infra- Government, DoP. structure, Life support for human habitats, WS7 38 WS16 41 NSW Department of Planning & The compelling evidence for incorporating Parramatta River Foreshore Parramatta River Infrastructure (DP&I) (March 2013), nature into urban environments, Green Source: http://www.alluvium.com.au/Blog/ Source: NSW Office of the Government Draft Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney to Infrastructure Project, Botanic Gardens of December-2014.aspx Architect’s Collection 2031 Adelaide, Photo: Alexa McAuley, Alluvium http://strategies.planning.nsw.gov. WS17 41 SA Department of Environment, Water and au/MetropolitanStrategyforSydney/ WS8 38 Parramatta Laneways Natural Resources. Aboutthestrategy.aspx Brick Pit Ring, Sydney Olympic Park Source: NSW Office of the Government Evans, C. and Freestone, R.1 (2009), Green Source: http://www.Sydney.com/destina- Architect’s Collection DP&I (December 2012), NSW Long Term Regional Design: Philosophies, policies tions/Sydney/sydney-west/sydney-olym- Transport Master Plan and products in the evolution of metro- pic-park/attractions/brickpit-ring-walk http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sites/ politan open space in Sydney 1948-2008, Photo: Destination NSW default/files/b2b/publications/nsw- University of Melbourne, Victoria, Universi- transport-masterplan-final.pdf ty of New South Wales (UNSW).

66 LIST OF FIGURES

WS18 50 WS26 58 WS34 63 FIGURE Parramatta Park Parramatta Park Plough and Harrow Reserve Figure WC.1: West Central District Open Space and Density Map Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ Source: http://www.fleetwoodurban.com. Figure WC.2: West Central District LGA Plan hindmarsh/5024372263/ hindmarsh/5024372263/ au/inspiration/global/plough-harrow-play- Photo: Flickr User “Peter Hindmarsh” Photo: Flickr User “Peter Hindmarsh” space Figure WC.3: West Central District Project Clusters Plan CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Photo: Simon Wood Figure WC.4: West Central District Access to Open Space Plan Figure WC.5: West Central District Hydrological Grid Plan WS19 50 WS27 58 WS35 64 Blacktown Showground Ermington Cycleway Lake Parramatta Figure WC.6: West Central District Hydrological Grid Detail Plan Source: http://www.blacktownaustralia. Source: http://www.thewesties.com.au/ Source: http://www.weekendnotes.com/ Figure WC.7: West Central District Ecological Grid Plan com.au/visitor-information/things-to-see- what-are-you-doing-for-your-local-environ- parramatta-river-walk/ Figure WC.8: West Central District Ecological Grid Detail Plan and-do/parks-reserves/ ment/ Photo: Weekendnotes.com contributor Figure WC.9: West Central District Recreational Grid Plan Photo: BlacktownAustralia.com Photo: City of Parramatta and Katrina “GMV – GotMyVote!” James http://www.katrina-james.com Figure WC.10: West Central District Recreational Grid Detail Plan WS20 50 WS36 65 Figure WC.11: West Central Green Grid Existing Values Plan Sydney Olympic Park WS28 58 Prospect Reservoir Figure WC.12: West Central Green Grid Existing Values Detail Plan Source: http://landscapeaustralia.com/arti- Sydney Olympic Park Source: http://ontrack.casa.gov.au/ cles/millennium-parklands-1/#img=2 Source: http://landscapeaustralia.com/arti- plan?routeId=6363 Figure WC.13: West Central Green Grid Project Opportunities Photo: Bob Peters cles/millennium-parklands-1/#img=2 Photo: Australian Government 2015 Figure WC.14: West Central Green Grid Project Opportunities Detail Photo: Bob Peters WS21 52 WS37 65 Figure WC.15: West Central Preliminary Priority Projects Plan Prospect Reservoir Parklands WS29 60 Cattai Creek Figure WC.16: Parramatta River Foreshore Potential Focus Areas Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gra- Duck River, Camellia Source: https://www.flickr.com/pho- Figure WC.17: Duck River Potential Focus Areas marye/691038026 Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/69216829@N05/6321974174/ Figure WC.18: Duck River Potential Important Cross Connections Photo: Flickr user: “gramarya” tos/johncowper/16642375557/in/al- Photo: Flickr User: “Mark The Builder” Figure WC.19: Ropes Creek Potential Focus Areas bum-72157650990098060/ WS22 56 WS38 65 Photo: Flickr user: “John Cowper” Figure WC.20: Ropes Creek Important Cross Connections Armoury Wharf Café Parramatta Road Urban Transformation Source: http://architectureau.com/articles/ WS30 60 Source: https://transportsydney.wordpress. urban-design/ Duck River Corridor com/tag/westconnex/page/2/ GIS DATASETS Photo: Brett Boardman Source: http://www.auburn.nsw.gov.au/ Image: Transport for NSW Explore/Recreation/Pages/PlansOfManage- WS23 57 WS39 65 NSW Department of Planning and Environment Cumberland Subregion BIO Map Biodiversity Corridors of Regional ment.aspx Parramatta River Foreshore, Ermington Blacktown Creek Photo: Auburn City Council Urban Renewal Priority Precincts and Priority Growth Areas (2017) Significance (2015) Cycleway Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com. Land Release Priority Precincts and Priority Growth Areas (2017) Biobanking Sites (2016) Source: http://www.thewesties.com.au/ WS31 61 au/newslocal/news/parramatta-riv- what-are-you-doing-for-your-local-environ- Duck River, Parramatta er-catchment-group-holding-a-black- District Boundaries (2016) NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Estate (2016) ment/ Source: http://arc.parracity.nsw.gov.au/ town-beach-party-to-raise-awareness- Sydney Open Space (2016) Lands of High Environmental Value (HEV) (2016) Photo: City of Parramatta and Katrina blog/2015/09/14/walking-the-duck-river- about-plans-to-fix-blacktown-creek/ Metropolitan Rural Area (2016) NSW Estuaries (2010) James http://www.katrina-james.com/ reserve/ news-story/9b1da90174098db5f9e79e16e- Photo: Geoff Barker, Parramatta City e76c4d4 Regional Recreation Trails Framework (2012) Strahler Stream Order (2016) WS24 57 Council Photo: Daily Telegraph District Plan Centres (2016) Duck River Corridor Source: http://www.auburn.nsw.gov.au/ WS32 62 WS40 65 NSW Transport Explore/Recreation/Pages/PlansOfManage- Plough and Harrow Reserve Breakfast Creek NSW Land and Property Information NSW Bicycle Geodatabase (2014) ment.aspx Source: http://www.westernsydney- Source: http://www.alphahoteleasterncreek. Greater Sydney Local Government Areas (2016) Photo: Auburn City Council parklands.com.au/assets/Uploads/Ban- com.au/blacktown/ Railway Corridors (2016) Geosciences Australia ner-PH-play-panorama.jpg Photo: Alpha Hotel Eastern Creek WS25 57 Metropolitan Motorways (2016) Metropolitan Hydro Areas (2011) Ropes Creek Corridor Photo: Western Sydney Parklands WS41 65 Roads (2016) Metropolitan Seas (2011) Source: http://www.ropescrossing.com.au/ Toongabbie and Blacktown Creeks WS33 62 living-in-ropes-crossing/transport Source: http://sydneyexcursions.blogspot. Sydney Water Supply Canals (2006) Ropes Creek Photo: Lend Lease Group com.au/2013_03_01_archive.html NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Source: http://aspect.net.au/?p=507 Photo: Our Walks, sydneyexcursions.blog- Photo: Simon Wood Ramsar Wetlands of NSW (2012) Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils spot.com.au Cumberland Subregion BIO Map Core Areas (2015) Connected Corridors for Biodiversity (2016)

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