The creation of one of Sydney's largest parks is one step closer with almost 5ha of rare native bushland near the CBD added to Wolli Creek Regional Park within the first year of the NSW Labor Government.
This new parkland will provide an important opportunity for additional greenspace, outdoor recreation and community spaces, in an area that is one of the most densely populated parts of NSW, Wolli Creek.
The NSW Labor Government understands the need to preserve the natural environment particularly in built up areas. It's why the Government committed $13 million in the last budget to complete and maintain the park.
It also comes on top of the government's commitment to convert half of Moore Park Golf Course into a public park, once the operating agreement expires in June 2026.
The Carr Labor Government started the process of creating the Wolli Creek Regional Park in 1998. Twenty years later, the Minns Labor Government is getting on with finishing the job.
For years, the local community including from Georges River, Bayside and Inner West councils and significantly from the Wolli Creek Preservation Society, have fought to complete this park.
Frequented by people from across Sydney, the 4.7ha of new parkland that has been added to the park include 16 parcels of additional land, increasing its total area to 45ha and making it possible to walk all the way from Bexley North to Earlwood, and Earlwood to Wolli Creek.
Of the 4.7ha, 2.1 was transferred to NPWS by the Office of Strategic Lands.
A further 2.6ha has been acquired from the City of Canterbury Bankstown and will protect "Nanny Goat Hill" which offers panoramic views across the Wolli Creek Valley.
This park also conserves iconic bushland along Wolli Creek which provides valuable open space and is also home to an array of birdlife, native mammals and a colony of Grey-headed flying-foxes, which are listed as vulnerable.
NPWS will continue to work with councils and the Office of Strategic Lands to complete the transfer and acquisition of the final 4.9ha.
Premier of NSW and Member for Kogarah Chris Minns said:
"Families across Sydney's south including my own, love our natural parklands. This expansion of the park will provide them with even more opportunities to enjoy nature right in our own backyards.
"For decades completing Wolli Creek Regional Park has been put in the too hard basket, but now the NSW Labor Government is protecting this important area of natural bushland."
"With more people continuing to move into this area, this won't just open up even more open space for them to enjoy, it will also protect this parkland for future generations.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:
"Expanding the Wolli Creek Regional Park ensures plants, animals and people can enjoy more of the area's unique natural landscape.
"This urban oasis provides rare and crucial habitat for more than 460 plant and animal species.
"Reserving additional land takes us a big step closer to completing the park and provides the highest level of long-term security for these diverse ecosystems."
Member for Summer Hill, Minister Jo Haylen said:
"This has been a long time coming. I'm proud that the NSW Labor Government is going to protect and expand Wolli Creek Regional Park, so we can all enjoy this beautiful and unique part of Sydney."
"Congratulations to everyone in the community who has worked so hard to make this happen. Community groups like the Wolli Creek Preservation Society have been pushing for this for decades."
"But this isn't just a great win for the people of the Georges River, Bayside and Inner West. It's a great win for everyone across our city who can now come and enjoy this beautiful park."
Member for Canterbury, Minister Sophie Cotsis said:
"More and more people have discovered great walking tracks across Sydney. Today is a fantastic result for those campaigning for more open space for many years.
"I really look forward to sharing this beautiful space with my family and others from the area. It's great to celebrate nature, local wildlife and take advantage of everything Sydney has to offer."
Member for Rockdale, Minister Steve Kamper said:
"First and foremost, I want to thank the outstanding community campaigners that have been advocating for this park for years. This is a fantastic community result.
"Parks and open space are a precious commodity throughout Sydney. As we continue to grow, the NSW Labor Government is delivering the important green space our local communities require to ensure we have the right mix in and around the Wolli Creek area."
