Rozelle Parklands open to the public
Parklands Update - 26 March
Opening of the sporting fields, pedestrian and cycling paths from the Green Link Bridge
We are pleased to announce the next stage of the re-opening of the Parklands and shared pedestrian and cycling paths.
The two sports fields within the Parklands, as well as the pedestrian and cycling paths connecting the Rozelle Bay Light Rail stop to the Victoria Road underpass, will open to the community from Thursday 28 March 2024 at 5pm (see wayfinding map below).
The stairs on the city side of the Victoria Road bridge will also be open.
The areas have passed the required safety clearances to ensure they are safe to open to the community for their use. As we are still continuing to work, for the safety of the community and our workers you will see some temporary fencing in place around the Parklands.
We ask that you please refrain from entering the fenced off areas until we advise that it is safe to do so. The map below shows the location of the sports fields and shared paths reopened, as well as indicative positions of the temporary fencing.
Pedestrian and cyclist changes
While work continues, sections of the Parklands' pedestrian and cycling paths will remain closed. Sections will continue to open in stages throughout April and we will advise you of any changes to access as they occur.
Please observe signs and temporary fencing in place and for your safety do not enter closed areas.
As new sections re-open, signs will be placed at key intersections to inform the public of the changes and new routes to help you navigate the area.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to access the Rozelle Parklands via Gordon Street, Denison Street and the Green Link Bridge from the Rozelle Bay Light Rail stop. These entry points provide access to the Parklands' pedestrian and cycling paths, as well as the Victoria Road bypass to access the city via Anzac Bridge.
Parklands Update - 6 March
We remain committed to re-opening the Parklands and shared user paths in stages. The Victoria Road pedestrian and cycling underpass and paths connecting to Victoria Road opened to the public from Friday 8 March 2024 (see map below). Please note that the ramps on both sides of the Victoria Road bridge and the underpass will be open. At this stage the stairs will remain closed.
Traffic, pedestrian and cyclist changes
While work is being undertaken, sections of the Parklands' pedestrian and cycling paths will need to remain closed. Sections will continue to gradually open in stages throughout March, with the Parklands on track to be completely open in April 2024, pending weather conditions.
With each new section being re-opened, signs will be placed at key active transport intersections to inform the public of the changes and the new routes to navigate around the area.
Pedestrians and cyclists from the residential side of Lilyfield Road can now access the pedestrian and cycling paths via the Victoria Road ramp access at The Crescent and Victoria Road intersection. You will be able to enter the Rozelle Parklands via the ramp access on Victoria Road and travel under the Victoria Road bypass to access the city via Anzac Bridge.
Parklands Update - 22 January
Work will start at Rozelle Parklands on Tuesday, 23 January to safely remove and dispose of all asbestos-contaminated mulch from across the site.
Transport’s contractor, John Holland CPB Joint Venture (JHCPB), will this week establish key work site facilities, erect further fencing and signage and create special vehicle and machinery access to key locations.
Background
Rozelle Parklands has been fenced off and closed to the public after the discovery of recycled garden mulch used in landscaping was found to contain traces of bonded asbestos.
JHCPB is ready to remove mulch in all areas that have been identified by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), in addition to a number of other publicly accessible areas.
Plans to remediate other areas outside the Parklands which have returned positive results to targeted sampling, including garden beds adjacent to the road and paths around the junction of the Anzac Bridge, Victoria Road and City West Link are underway.
In total, Transport for NSW identified 17 positive samples of bonded asbestos.
What is next?
Work will begin at the eastern Victoria Road end of the park and progress westwards to allow for the staged re-opening of the site to the community.
Contaminated mulch will be removed from garden beds before being transported from the site in covered trucks to an authorised disposal facility.
Up to 30 workers will be on site over coming weeks to methodically work through the park to ensure full compliance with the EPA’s 29 February deadline to remove affected material at the Parklands site.
Once the site is cleared, new organic mulch will be spread with an EPA Accredited Site Auditor signing-off to ensure it meets all guidelines. The mulch removal will be conducted in a way to minimise damage to tens of thousands of already established plants, turfed areas, and the shared user paths. This adds additional time to the completion of the work on site, with a staged approach allowing the first sections of the park to open gradually towards the end of March.
Walking and cycling
Walking and bicycle paths through the park will be closed during the clean-up work.
The community are asked to revert to using pedestrian footpaths and bicycle lanes that were in place during the construction of the Rozelle Interchange Project, prior to the opening of the Parklands. Detour maps will be provided in construction notifications.
What about safety?
JHCPB is engaging with both the EPA and SafeWork NSW to ensure all safety protocols are followed during the work.
Our priority is safety and the efficient completion of the project, with necessary safeguards in place to protect the community.
Monitoring around the site for airborne particles will continue throughout the clean-up work. Ongoing tests have not identified anything outside of normal parameters at this time.
NSW Health advises the risk of illness for anyone who has come in contact with this material is low.
The EPA’s investigation into the source of contamination in the mulch remains ongoing.
When will Rozelle Parklands reopen?
Rozelle Parklands is scheduled to reopen in stages.
The mulch removal will be conducted in a way to minimise damage to tens of thousands of already established plants, turfed areas, and the shared user paths.
This adds additional time to the completion of the work on site, with a staged approach allowing the first sections of the park to open gradually towards the end of March.
We will keep you updated on the project’s progress, so you stay across the latest information.
Where do I go for more information?
If you have any questions regarding the safety action plan, please call 1800 660 248.
Transport remains committed to creating a safer environment and understands the inconvenience this project may cause. We appreciate your patience as we work to reopen Rozelle Parklands again for the community to enjoy.
Rozelle Parklands is now open to the public, with around 1500 local community members donning their hats and walking shoes to check out their new big backyard at the official unveiling on Sunday, 17 December.
The sprawling Parklands offer almost 10 hectares of new open green space for the community to embrace and enjoy. It boasts a variety of recreational areas and facilities, including two large grass sports fields, a network of shared pathways for bike riders and pedestrians, wetlands with a boardwalk, playgrounds, fitness equipment and a barbeque area.
On opening day, community members were treated to live entertainment, food trucks, games, family activities, information tents, and bike tours around the Parklands. Discovery Stations located at the Corroboree and Yarning circle, the fitness area, children’s play area and the wetlands proved popular with visitors keen to learn more about interacting with these important features.
Visitors arrived ready to explore with many riding their bikes, walking their dogs, or dressed for a decent stroll to take in everything on offer at their new local recreation hotspot.
“We are delighted to open Rozelle Parklands today for the community to enjoy,” Transport for NSW Acting Secretary Howard Collins said on Sunday.
“There are so many different elements to this new open green space, so whether people want to be active or relax with family and friends, there is something for everyone.
“It’s exciting that we can deliver almost 10 hectares of beautiful parklands before Christmas and as the school holidays start, and it was great that many from the local community could help celebrate the opening of Rozelle Parklands.”
Completion of the project caps a major transformation, with the parklands built on the site of the former disused Rozelle Railyards, which closed in 1980.
Over 3000 trees were planted in the parklands, creating a new green hub right on the doorstep of the Sydney CBD. There are also bush trails, landscaped gardens and recognition of the local Aboriginal heritage with a Corroboree circle and Yarning circle.
Rozelle Parklands includes approximately 14 kilometres of new and improved cycling and walking paths, providing connections to surrounding active transport routes and public transport. The key pathway links are to the Anzac Bridge, Victoria Road, Rozelle Bay Light Rail Station, Annandale, Glebe and future The Bays Metro Station and precinct.
Further work to enhance Rozelle Parklands will continue in 2024 with the delivery of lighting for the sports fields, multi-purpose courts for netball and basketball, and additional amenities like changing rooms for organised sports.
Inner West Council will lead the delivery of a revised masterplan for Rozelle Parklands in consultation with the community which will shape potential future improvements.
Visit the MySydney Rozelle Parklands page for more information on this exciting new green space.
