Liverpool’s own Darling Harbour: Western Sydney by the sea

There Georges River is right on the Liverpool CBD’s doorstep, it just needs investment to unlock it, say community leaders trying to fast-track bold precinct plan.

Renders of the proposed redevelopment of the Georges River in Liverpool. Picture: Supplied

The rivers of Western Sydney must get the same investment as the beaches and harbour of the east — with local community leaders pushing to fast track a proposal to give Liverpool its own Darling Harbour.

Speaking at the Committee of Sydney’s Future Cities Liverpool event, local leaders called for the untouched side of Georges Rivers to be transformed into a riverside outdoor precinct.

Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Chair Chris Brown said the west had the same “birthright” to waterways as people in other parts of the city.

“The people of Western Sydney should not have to look forward to an above ground pool for their water and their city birthright of access to water,” he said.

“(Like) Bondi, Balmoral, we want the rivers of the west to be equal to the beaches of the east.”

The plan would open up access to the river. Picture: Supplied

With farmland increasingly becoming residential development, latest figures from the Committee showed that 35 per cent of the Liverpool LGA had less than 10 per cent of tree canopy coverage.

Committee of Sydney deputy chief executive Ehssan Veiszadeh said the area had untapped potential for open spaces and a thriving leisure space.

The proposed redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

“It’s unbelievable that the Georges River hasn’t yet been unlocked for the community,” he said.

“It has all the ingredients: natural beauty, at the doorstop of Liverpool’s CBD and its train line. But it needs work for its potential to be realised as a place to walk, exercise, live, play and work.

“We’ve long been advocating for Liverpool to be transformed into one of the great global river cities – we’ve had a wonderful opportunity today to have some of the city’s decision makers come to Liverpool to see the potential for themselves.”

Labor Western Sydney spokesman Greg Warren said he would take the Council’s lead on the development of the precinct but said revamping the area would be a “great opportunity”.

Trees and pedestrian spaces form a big part of the plan. Picture: Supplied

“Rivers are a beautiful place to be … so I think embracing that and doing something really wonderful is a great opportunity for Liverpool,” he said.

“It’s one thing to construct a building but if you want to build a community that will only happen with adequate green space amenities, providing those communities with (the amenities to) have a good lifestyle.”

Leamac Property Group projects director Erika Pawley said Liverpool could become the “next great river city of the world”.

“A city where the Georges River is its beating heart, unifying both sides of the river with a community of residents, workers and visitors being among the most productive, healthy and happy people on the planet,” she said.

“It is essential that this part of the vision be delivered genuinely retail growing CBD and its residents who enjoy the festival and live on a river regardless of whether our community is living in a studio part of a multi generation family or executive housing.“