Callan Park: $14m pumped into opening Lilyfield park waterfront

Planning minister Rob Stokes has announced $14 million ‘facelift’ for a park the community has spent months fighting for over a raft of recent controversies.

The State Government has committed $14 million to revitalise a controversial inner west park where residents say they are starved of green space.

Parts of Lilyfield’s Callan Park will be under construction in the coming weeks after Planning Minister Rob Stokes revealed the investment would go to opening up the waterfront area of the park to the public.

Some of the funds are also going to restoring heritage buildings at the park.

“For too long Callan Park has been neglected. This $14 million facelift is exactly what this treasured park needs and deserves,” Mr Stokes said.

One of the heritage listed sites at Callan Park. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Supplied Editorial The section of Callan Park set to be opened up to the public.

“The community have been loud and clear – they want to see the waterfront opened up and revitalised and I’m pleased to announce these works as the first step in realising that vision.”

The park has been the battleground for community action in recent months who have garnered support from Balmain MP Jamie Parker and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.

Residents have long lamented the lack of off-leash dog walking space at Callan Park and have been lobbying Inner West Council, who share management of the park, to open it up to pooches.

Darcy Byrne outside the Inner West Council Refugee Welcome Centre in Callan Park. Picture: John Appleyard

One of several buildings due for a makeover. Picture: John Appleyard

The inner west is among the lowest of the city’s LGAs for public parks but also has the highest dog per household in Sydney.

So dire was the situation, according to a bet in Balmain earlier this year, that he resorted to prescribing anti-depressants for dogs in the nearby area.

The council also “accidentally” chopped down 11 protected trees in a bungle at the park in January and only revealed in June that it would not fine itself over the lopping.

Pictures of 11 trees being cut down illegally at Callan Park on February 26 by Inner West Council workers. An investigation has found the council breached its own development consent laws but refused to fine itself.

Greater Sydney Parklands, who recently took control over the park, is discussing the green spaces future with residents who have raised concerns it could be divided up for development, among other concerns.

“The consultation confirmed the community and those who use the park are united in their desire to see the Callan Park waterfront transformed and become more accessible,” Greater Sydney Parklands chief executive Suellen Fitzgerald said.

“Revitalising Callan Park is a great example of what our new citywide, holistic approach to parks management can achieve at a local level.”

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