‘Sustainable legacy’: New $250,000 ‘urban farm’ planned for Western Sydney Parklands

Plans for a new farmers’ market in Australia’s largest urban park could offer western Sydney locals greater access to fresh, Aussie-grown staples – from farm to fork.

Western Sydney Parklands could receive a new ‘urban farm’ under proposed plans lodged to Fairfield City Council.

Plans for a new farmers’ market in Australia’s largest urban park could offer western Sydney locals greater access to fresh, Aussie-grown staples – from farm to fork.

The proposal for Lim’s Farm, if approved, will include several new greenhouses, upgrades to an existing market garden, and the construction of farmgate stalls at 176-192 Chandos Rd, Horsley Park.

The site is currently owned by the Western Sydney Parklands Trust and is located within the Western Sydney Parklands.

The Parklands are Australia’s largest urban park, spanning 5280 hectares from Quakers Hill to Leppington, passing though Blacktown, Fairfield, and Liverpool.

The 55,380sq m site at Chandos Rd would offer fresh produce staples including spring onions, parsley, coriander, mint, and curry leaves as well as salad favourites like lettuce, kale, cabbage and more.

Proposed site for a new 'urban farm' located at 184 – 192 Chandos RD, Horsley Park.

According to documents lodged by B Spatial Design, the new farm would establish an “economically viable business” capable of operating all-year round, and will seek to boost sales during the colder months, when productivity typically declines.

The project is estimated to cost $250,000 for initial set up with a further $15,000 for earth and civil works.

Chheav Sun running Sun's Fresh Farm at the Urban Farm Precinct in Horsley Park. Picture: Simon Bullard

According to planning documents, the proposal is also in-line with development goals under the Horsley Park Urban Farming Masterplan (2019) and Western Sydney Parklands Plan of Management (2030).

The project is expected to be part of the Parklands “sustainable legacy” servicing local communities for “generations to come”.

Under the 2030 management plan, 159 hectares of land in Horsley Park – about 10 per cent of the Parklands – have been identified for future use as urban farms.

Known as Precinct 9, Horsley Park is home to Sydney’s best known cluster of ‘urban farms’ including Lam’s Farm Fresh, Sun’s Fresh Farm, Fenech Family Farm and Sydney Flowers Express.