The Commonwealth Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population, Alan Tudge and NSW Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres MP announced that the Billabong Parklands was successful for $15M funding under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program with Council allocating the remaining $3.75M.
Plans for the billabong include a range of recreational water play facilities over a four-hectare site on the corner of Oxley Street and The Parkway, including a stream, swimming lagoon and a zero-depth play area.
“This is a ground-breaking project that will launch the city’s transformation into a significant metropolitan destination,” said Mayor George Brticevic.
“The concept design of the billabong has been inspired by our unique natural environment including the rock pools, waterfalls and rapids of the Dharawal National Park that will be set in our city centre for everyone to enjoy,” Cr Brticevic said.
“With the size of the Western Parkland City population set to grow to 1.5 million by 2036 there will be a greater requirement for quality amenities capable of catering to those people,” he said.
“It will create a new water attraction in western Sydney and reduce the effects of urban heat as well as bring job opportunities and increased trade to nearby businesses.”
The concept design includes a series of rock pools along a meandering waterway that leads to a large 1700sqm lagoon that will be up to 1.5m deep.
Young children would be able to play in a zero-depth water play area with a range of interactive elements, as streams flow around boulders and other natural obstacles.
Stories of local Aboriginal and European history will be featured throughout the facility.
Council will consider concepts and consult with the community to finalise the design of the billabong before it goes out to tender next year.
It is expected that the project will be constructed and ready to open in 2021.
