Bank Street Park
The NSW Government is prioritising delivery of Bank Street Park, a 1.1-hectare waterside park that surrounds the southern pylons of the ANZAC Bridge.
About the Park at Bank Street
The NSW Government is prioritising delivery of Bank Street Park, a 1.1-hectare waterside park that surrounds the southern pylons of the ANZAC Bridge.
The design concept has been guided by extensive community and stakeholder consultation, identified local infrastructure needs, community priorities, and the desire to provide a space that can be enjoyed by all.
Then design is underpinned by:
Community input
First Nations design
Art and culture
Sustainable design
What's in the park?
Waterside café
Outdoor multipurpose court
Playground
Outdoor fitness station
Community building with community space, public amenities and marina office
Water access for paddle craft and storage for dragon boats
Harbour foreshore walkways and new cycle paths
Public art, wayfinding and interpretive signage
Adaptive reuse of buildings along Bank Street and repurposing an existing building as a seating area and garden
Open lawns and First Nations inspired shelter structures
Community input into the design
Community consultation identified a desire for Bank Street Park to be a place of recreation that provides open space, play spaces and areas for respite, with a naturalistic form and character. In the first time in over a century, community will be reconnected with the water in this location.
Through consultation, the community identified a vision for Bank Street Park:
A welcoming and accessible park that caters to different users and activities
Quality amenities to support park users
Consideration of the needs of boating users and water sports
Connection to the water and enhanced views
A distinct identity for the park
Connection to Country and First Nations.
Community consultation occurred over three key phases:
Phase 1: Creating a design brief (Visioning phase)
Phase 2: Consultation on three design concepts (Verifying phase)
Phase 3: Public exhibition of the Environmental Impact Statement.
For more information on the consultation, visit What we’ve heard page.
Bank Street Park gallery – Early engagement – Community pop up
About the design
The design has integrated Designing with / of / for Country. This provides clear social and environmental benefits and a rich embedding of culture across the site. Three elements drive the narrative of place: Healing Country, Revealing Country and Caring for Country.
In recognition of the unique park location against the backdrop of the ANZAC Bridge, the integrated public art program seeks to honour the valuable contribution of First Nations servicemen and servicewomen in the Australian Defence Force. Some of the art and design opportunities include an embedded honour roll on the balustrade of the viewing deck , shade shelters inspired by shields and paving patterns referencing snail shells found in the Sydney Harbour region.
Explore the design
Sustainability in design
The park design supports the sustainability vision for Blackwattle Bay. Five principles are integrated into the design to create a resilient, vibrant, and sustainable haven for both people and wildlife. Examples below:
Net Zero Carbon: Reusing heritage building and materials.
Resilient and Adaptable: Building green roofs that reduce rainwater runoff, appropriate species selection and shade glazing on all facades.
Biodiverse and Regenerative: Protecting habitats of existing species, protecting existing significant trees and vegetation.
Integrated Mobility: Pedestrian and bicycle pathways, pedestrian linkages to existing and future public transport.
Healthy and Inclusive: Drinking water fountains, fitness facilities.
What's next for the park?
The project has followed a State Significant Development Application planning process. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure determined the application under delegation for the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in July 2024.
Oculus and Collins and Turner have been engaged to develop the concept into a detailed design.
The approved concept design has been further developed into a detailed design for construction. Infrastructure NSW is seeking a modification to elements of the approved concept design in response to these refinements, primarily to improve access to and connectivity within the park.
Design modification | Reason for change |
|---|---|
Internal reconfiguration to the repurposed buildings at 1-3 Bank Street. | Improved access to from loading dock to storage areas and reduce movement of equipment around public building. Relocation of amenities to the community building. |
Internal reconfiguration to the new community building floor plan and introduction of open central corridor. | Access to amenities improved, including co-location of all park amenities. |
Minor landscape changes, including park shelter locations, pathway locations. | Improve accessibility and circulation through the park.
|
Retain section of existing boardwalk -adjacent to ANZAC Bridge. | Reuse of existing infrastructure on site. |
Reconfiguration of the Dragon Boat Store building, without reducing the number of dragon boats being stored. | Provides increased boats storage, maintains clearance from the ANZAC Bridge pylons. |
Naturalising the foreshore sandstone steps adjacent to the boat ramp. | Increasing connection to the water, vegetation and birdlife at the water's edge. |
Maintain existing hardstand levels surrounding the ANZAC Bridge pylons. | Minimise the extent of earthworks required around the ANZAC Bridge pylons, including relocation of services. |
Revised boat ramp arrangement. | Reuse of existing footings. |
The Modification 1 documents can be found on the DPHI Major Projects Portal website HERE
Procurement of Construction Contractor
Infrastructure NSW is currently in the process of procuring a construction contractor to deliver the park. Following an Expression of Interest process, the following have been shortlisted and will be invited to submit a Request for Tender:
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Lipman
Stephen Edwards Constructions
BESIX Watpac
Construction is expected to start soon after a construction contractor has been awarded in 2025.
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