A lush new public park is being built on the banks of Sydney Harbour
Over the years, Berrys Bay has been integral to Sydney's maritime manufacturing industry – it's where boats, yachts and launches were built and serviced for more than a century. In the 1990s, the site retired from its maritime role, and when it was earmarked as a Western Harbour Tunnel construction site, dreams for the site becoming a community space were put on hold. In 2022, advances in technology (including the use of the two largest tunnel boring machines in the Southern Hemisphere) meant that this makeshift construction site was no longer required, and now it's been officially confirmed that the area will be opened up to the public.
The draft design of the park includes accessible foreshore pathways, family-friendly facilities like barbecues and play areas, as well as a new community pavilion. This joint effort by the state government, local North Sydney Council, and construction company Acciona aims to honour the area's maritime history as well as its Aboriginal heritage, with an opening date yet to be confirmed. The opening of the park will mark the first time in more than 100 years that the park has been accessible to the public, with Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison describing the vision to create 'an inviting space that serves our city now and into the future.'
The former Woodleys Shipyard site and its iconic Woodleys Shed sign will also be incorporated into the final design of the community space. In the coming months, work will begin on the deconstruction of Woodleys Shed and the demolition of derelict buildings on the site. Later on, North Sydney Council will ask the community for input on how best to bring this new public space to life. Once complete, locals will finally be able to enjoy a continuous water-side walk from Carradah Park to Balls Head Reserve, lush with native landscaping and public artwork along the harbour-front – not to mention those splendid vistas of Sydney Harbour.
And another one is being built at Blackwattle Bay.
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A lush new public park is being built on the banks of Sydney Harbour
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