What we've heard

Infrastructure NSW prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental, economic and social impacts of Bank Street Park. The report includes a number of technical impact assessments, summarised in the main report.

The EIS was lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in November 2023 and was on public exhibition between 14 December 2023 until 1 February 2024.

Community information sessions were held by Infrastructure NSW in January 2024 at the Bank Street site. The project team and landscape designers were available at these sessions to provide further information, answer questions and encourage community submissions.

Public exhibition resulted in 36 submissions - 10 from public authority or government agencies, one from City of Sydney Council, 2 from organisations, and 23 from community.

Heritage and Archaeology

What we heard

Some submissions acknowledged the heritage significance of the site, for both First Nations people as well as for the historic maritime relics associated with the existing buildings.

What we did

A Heritage Interpretation Strategy will be developed, to retain as much of the existing building fabric as possible. A Salvage Schedule will also be prepared during the detailed design stage, to identify early or original fabric at 1–3 Bank Street that should be salvaged for re-use.

The importance of First Nations’ culture and connection with Country has been at the forefront of the design approach for Bank Street Park. The First Nations’ led design response has sought to create a place which supports the continuation of culture, through the pillars of healing, revealing and caring for Country.

The site’s heritage significance has been investigated in consultation with the Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs), who (along with the broader community) will continue to be engaged through the next phases of development.

The proposed design has sought to retain native vegetation where possible, and reinstate indigenous species throughout the park.

Traffic and parking

What we heard

People shared concerns about a loss of parking on Bank Street, particularly in consideration to parking for the dragon boat clubs.  

What we did

We’ve confirmed that street parking on Bank Street will largely be retained. The new cycleway is not at the expense of car parking, which will be reinstated after the cycleway is constructed.  

 A survey of the street parking undertaken for the EIS shows that there is significant spare on-street parking on Bank Street and surrounding streets. This will be available to park users and visitors for nearby residential developments. 

  For dragon boat users, we are providing new storage and end of trip facilities which will make public transport a more viable option. We have been working closely with Dragon Boats NSW in the design of the park.  

Landscaping

What we heard

Feedback encouraged the use of local plant species in the park and the retention of existing native species where possible. There was also support for the proposed shade trees within the park. 

There was a suggestion that mangroves should be planted offshore. 

What we did

We confirmed our tree species prioritise native and indigenous plants to ensure the plants we use are suited to the site.  The proposed design has sought to retain native vegetation where possible, and reinstate indigenous species throughout the park. The planting schedule encourages shade to walkways where possible. 

 While offshore mangroves are beyond the scope of this project, it is proposed to explore the suitability of attaching marine habitat features such as seawall tiles or water retention pots to parts of existing seawalls.  We confirmed our tree species prioritise native and indigenous plants to ensure the plants we use are suited to the site.  The proposed design has sought to retain native vegetation where possible, and reinstate indigenous species throughout the park. The planting schedule encourages shade to walkways where possible.   

Public domain and design

What we heard

You asked whether the dragon boat storage can be used by the public, for example, for storing their kayaks and other small crafts. 

Permanent use of the community building was raised, including how the future building would be used and whether it would serve the community. 

What we did

The dragon boat storage shed will be dragon boat clubs, however we are considering private kayak storage alongside kayak rental facilities elsewhere in the park. This will be finalised after further consultation has been undertaken.

The multi-purpose building will include community space, a café, and marina office/storage, and has been designed to meet the community’s needs as well as to complement other nearby facilities.

Naming the park

What we heard

Some members of the community requested a renaming of the park to ‘Tjerruing Park.’ 

What we did

We support First Nations naming for Bank Street Park. We are working on a consistent place naming approach for all our projects, including Bank Street Park, and plan to consult stakeholders to identify and seek endorsement of an appropriate First Nations name for the park.  

Throughout the design process, the design team has met with First Nations knowledge holders to listen to their stories and incorporated their feedback into the design. This important engagement will continue until the design is finalised and a suitable name is selected for the park. 

Infrastructure NSW will continue to consult with the community and stakeholders prior to and during the construction phase.