By Mike CrooksMonday 20 Feb 2023LifestyleReading Time: 2 minutes
A lagoon oasis is on the way to Campbelltown.
The construction of the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands is underway in the heart of the city centre.
The water and parkland space at Apex Park, Bradbury, aims to “revitalise” the heart of the south-western Sydney city and become a “landmark facility” for Sydney.
The multi-million-dollar parklands “will deliver a unique space that is reflective of the region’s natural identity and Aboriginal and European history where people can walk, picnic and enjoy recreational activities as well as being a space for community events,” Campbelltown Mayor George Greiss said.
Four-hectare hub
After COVID-related delays, and last year’s extensive rain periods in Sydney, “significant onsite works are now progressing and I look forward to seeing the parklands start to take shape,” Mr Greiss said.
The parklands will include recreational and interactive water play facilities, landscaped areas, and amenities over a four-hectare site.
A council spokesperson told Hope 103.2 that there will be three separate water areas – a lagoon, a splash and play area, and rock pools – all with streams in-between. All water areas will have a separate filtration system, the spokesperson said.
Nature and heritage
The design features of the landscape are based on the Illawarra region’s Dharawal National Park, and the Georges River.
The parklands will include:
- 1600 sq m lagoon (2m deep);
- Rock pools;
- “Zero depth” water play area for young children;
- Open spaces with native trees;
- Art that represents the Campbelltown community and Aboriginal culture.
“On a hot 40-degree day in south-western Sydney, [people] won’t have to… go down to Wollongong with the beaches that are packed,” Mayor Greiss told Nine News at the announcement of the project in 2020.
“Exciting project”
As newly released photos show, the lagoons and other elements of the parklands are now taking shape.
Landscaping is underway, with “hundreds of trees and native plants” taking root in the soil.
The $34 million project is funded by Council, the Australian Government and NSW Government under the Western Sydney Liveability Program. Additional funding has been provided by the NSW Government Public Spaces Legacy Fund.
“This exciting project will be a great new addition to our city and a place where families and friends can come together to enjoy,” Mayor Greiss said.
For more information visit here.
All images and artist impressions supplied