A $16 million investment by Sydney Water has transformed Milson Park, a Western Sydney parkland, into an urban oasis as part of the first project delivered under Sydney Waters’ Waterway Health Improvement Program.
As the city continues to grow and temperatures rise, integrating water through the creation of wetlands and improved water quality has helped Westmead’s Milson Park become a favourite of locals. It offers respite from the concrete jungle and ensures the community has a place to cool down.
With the addition of urban cooling, Sydney Water’s main achievement was reducing the amount of litter entering the waterways by 13,400 kilograms a year through the implementation of Gross Pollutant Traps.
Sydney Water’s Executive General Manager Water and Environment Services, Paul Plowman, said this project is a benchmark for highlighting the vital role water needs to play in future design and development plans.
“The inclusion of water features in public spaces ensures everyone has a place to cool down and a unique space away from the hustle and bustle of the cities to play and connect,” Plowman said.
“The emergence of more urban blue space introduces another way to enhance community well-being and significantly impact wildlife and the environment.
“As part of the upgrades in Milson Park, we planted 42,000 trees, which will significantly contribute to creating habitats where local wildlife can thrive,” Mr Plowman said.
Ministerial approval for Milson Park
Minister for Water Rose Jackson said this announcement is great news for Western Sydney and is an excellent example of creating a functional space the community can enjoy.
“Water is our lifeblood, and this project is a testament to our commitment to creating public spaces that enhance our community.”
The innovative program saw Sydney Water partner with the City of Parramatta and Transport for NSW to achieve a new four-metre-wide shared bridge over Milson’s Creek and lighting through Milson Park as part of the upgrade.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said the path is already proving a success with the local community – within months of opening, cyclist numbers have doubled, and the number of pedestrians using the park has risen 44 per cent.
“It is fantastic to see so many people across Parramatta taking up walking and bike riding through the park and wetlands and making the most of this upgraded community space,” Minister Haylen said.
“Being active, whether it’s walking or riding, is great for our health and the health of our communities and also reduces traffic congestion and emissions.
“This is a great example of what our Get NSW Active program is all about—providing funding to councils to deliver grassroots community improvements to encourage more people to walk and cycle in their neighbourhoods,” Minister Haylen said.
The park, which is now open, also features new recreational opportunities and amenities such as picnic shelters, bench seating, a bird hide lookout, a nature play area, a fitness station, a water bubbler, and educational signage with information about the wetlands and waterway system.
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