Mcllwaine Park: Rhodes residents voice concerns over Canada Bay Council upgrades

Despite a Sydney council dedicating over $6 million to upgrade a treasured park, locals say they’ve been left in the dark over key details including asbestos-filled mounds which could block water views.

Rhodes residents are protesting Canada Bay's delayed upgrade of Mcllwaine Park.

For the people of Rhodes, the promised upgrade of a treasured park has been a long time coming — and it is still far from complete with residents saying they have been forgotten about and not consulted as the park undergoes a major redesign.

Canada Bay Council has described the $6.67 million upgrade of the Mcllwaine Park foreshore as a “game changer”, involving a renewal of the existing seawall, construction of a new beach area, new barbecue and picnic facilities, a concrete plaza, garden beds and the planting of 21 new trees.

But residents have voiced their disapproval with the project’s ongoing delays, a lack of community consultation and council’s neglect of the park’s upkeep.

Rhodes resident Fiona Burton said she was frustrated with ongoing delays.

“(By) the estimated completion date it will be more than two years that full access to the park and foreshore has been restricted,” she said.

Rhodes residents and Labor councillor Andrew Ferguson at a community meeting about Mcllwaine Park. Picture: Odessa Blain.

“(It is also) upsetting that the park upgrade is leading to our views of the water … being impacted quite negatively. Some of my neighbours I am sure are losing any view of the water.”

Ms Burton was referring to the mounds which the council is constructing along the foreshore, which — when completed — will be capped with topsoil and turfed.

Mcllwaine Park before upgrades commenced in 2021.

Current view of the construction of the mounds at the park’s foreshore. Picture: Odessa Blain.

It is understood asbestos was also detected in the landfill being used to construct the mounds, with a council spokeswoman confirming bonded asbestos was used when the parkland was created in the 1970s.

“Canada Bay Council takes our obligations and the safety of the community and staff very seriously,” she said.

“Council has engaged a licensed asbestos removal contractor to supervise construction, will conduct air monitoring during the works, and will conduct clearance inspections by accredited occupational hygienists to ensure the site has been remediated and that the area is safe for our community now and into the future.”

Other residents have also expressed their general disappointment with council’s upkeep of the park during the construction process.

Steve Levi, a resident of Rhodes East, said he was disappointed with the overall attitude towards residents.

“The people of Rhodes East feel like we’ve been forgotten about,” he said. “I’m disappointed with the lack of communication and consultation with residents while the park has been upgraded and unhappy council haven’t maintained the park while working on it.”

Fellow resident Steve Bruggeman voiced concerns over the area which has been blocked off by council for 18 months.

Steve Bruggeman.

Drummoyne Labor candidate and Canada Bay councillor Julia Little said she had listened to residents who were disappointed with the delays a lack of ongoing communication.

“I trust the meeting onsite today between residents and council officers will lead to better outcomes for the community,” Ms Little said.

In a statement, a council spokeswoman said there had been extensive community consultation about the project which would be a “game changer” for the local area.

“The project is a game changer for the growing Rhodes Peninsula — allowing enhanced access to the local foreshore and expanding on aquatic recreation opportunities. The naturalisation of the riverbank will also have ecological benefits for native flora and fauna,” she said.

The upgrades to Mcllwaine Park are anticipated to be complete later this year.