Lancer Barracks to be used as a public square, green space

Australia’s oldest active defence base, located in Parramatta, could be transformed into a public square in the rapidly growing CBD. But not everybody’s happy with the proposal.

Australia’s oldest active defence base — the Lancer Barracks at Parramatta — could soon feature a public square and green space in the rapidly growing CBD.

The Western Sydney Business Chamber has unveiled plans to transform the

historic Lancer Barracks, opposite Parramatta train station, into a new open green space

and public square for the booming “Central City”.

The Lancer Barracks is Australia’s oldest active defence base, but it is

under-utilised with less than 10 full-time staff and an imposing security fence isolating the

site from the rest of the city and the public.

It is only open to the public for six hours on Sundays, for a fee, to visit the museum.

Artist impressions for a public square at Lancer Barracks at Parramatta. Picture: Arterra Interactive

Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger said less than 1 per cent of the Parramatta CBD had any form of accessible green space and the square would give the site a renewed use because its military role was diminishing.

“Transforming the historic Lancer Barracks into a new public square and green space for

Parramatta would greatly improve open space in the CBD and allow the community to

form a stronger connection with the site’s rich military history,” Mr Borger said.

“Lancer Barracks is a beautiful site but the need to keep it secure and locked has isolated

it from the public.’’

Artist impressions for a public square at Lancer Barracks at Parramatta.

He said opening the Lancer Barracks as a public square, alongside the new playing fields for the schools on the site of the old Arthur Phillip High School, would create up to 1.1 hectares of new green and public space for Parramatta’s limited public domain.

Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger at Parramatta Square. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

“We know that Defence is currently looking at the future of a number of its bases across

the country,’’ Mr Borger said.

“We encourage the Federal Government to work with the Parramatta community to give the Lancer Barracks a new lease on life and allow the surrounding communities to connect with its rich history.”

Artist impressions for a public square at Lancer Barracks at Parramatta.

The State Government has backed the chamber’s proposal but Defence has objected to plans.

“The Barracks are not considered surplus to current and known future Defence requirements,’’ a Defence spokeswoman said.

“Lancer Barracks is the oldest continuously occupied Defence establishment on mainland Australia and is on both the Commonwealth and NSW Heritage Lists.

“The Barracks provides working accommodation to a number of Australian Defence Force units including elements of 1/15 Royal NSW Lancers, elements of Sydney University Regiment, the Army Lancer museum and an Army Cadet unit.”

North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group spokeswoman Suzette Meade said the government should have given more attention to its garden proposal if it was serious about recreation space.

“If (Planning Minister) Rob Stokes is so concerned about Parramatta’s lack of green space why doesn’t he champion the submission NPRAG made to the public spaces competition to turn 26 hectare Cumberland Hospital estate into a much-needed Botanic Gardens?’’

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