Work Commencing on Open Space at Harold Park

At its September meeting, Council accepted the recommended tender for the construction of new open space at Harold Park. Work is due to commence in November this year and finish in November 2016.

As part of the original agreement for the development of Harold Park, Mirvac provided the City of Sydney Council with 3.8 hectares of open space, together with a significant amount of funding towards the construction of the park. The park space stretches from Wigram Rd (in front of the row of original cottages), then in front of the cliff to the tramsheds, including space in front of the tramsheds.

Some details of the concept design, which was on display for public comment in 2014, have been amended in the final design. Shelters have been reduced from two to one, and a shade structure added over play equipment. A proposed suspended walkway has been removed, but pathways and steps will connect the park to Maxwell Rd at the light rail end, and to the Rock Lane steps. A major addition to the design is a plan for stormwater harvesting, described in Council papers:

A significant amount of stormwater could be harvested from existing drainage infrastructure located in Harold Park to provide water for downstream parklands. Stormwater from the streets located in the Toxteth Estate could also be treated and harvested to supplement volumes of water collected and to boost environmental sustainability targets. The collected stormwater can be stored in two large tanks located in lawn areas at Harold Park’s new open space and used for irrigation at Harold Park, Federal Park North and Jubilee Oval.