A new park will be created at Arncliffe, the town centre revamped and synthetic playing fields installed at two parks to help cater for 5000 new homes to be built in Arncliffe and Banksia.
The state government announced the projects would be funded by $10 million in community infrastructure funding, promised when the suburbs were designated priority precincts three years ago.
Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts said the draft plan for the Bayside West Precincts was close to being finalised and would be exhibited “in coming weeks”.
Mr Roberts said synthetic playing fields would be created at both Arncliffe Park and Gardiner Park, Banksia.
“Up to $4.5 million will be spent upgrading Arncliffe Park and $2.5 million has been allocated for Gardiner Park improvements,” he said.
Mr Roberts said $3 million had been set aside to develop a Public Domain Plan and Technical Manual that would deliver street works and guide any future development applications in Arncliffe Town Centre and along the Princes Highway.
“In addition, the Department of Planning and Environment is also finalising negotiations with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to create a new 7000 square metre park on the corner of Arncliffe Street and Burrows Street, Arncliffe, next to the train station,” he said.
“The Premier and I announced a new $290 million Open Spaces and Greener Sydney initiative last week and I’m thrilled to confirm that the Arncliffe community will have a new park in 2020.”
The new park will be opposite Scots Club on a site that has been used for a RMS works depot and is also an off ramp for the M5 East motorway.
Bayside Council mayor Bill Saravinovski said it was proposed that the ramp would be covered, and the park built over it.
“There will be a great need for extra open space with all the new apartments that are planned,” he said.
Cr Saravinovski said the government funding would ensure a synthetic field was installed at Arncliffe Park.
Last month, Bayside Council decided to call new tenders after receiving only one bid.
It is understood flooding challenges in the park could increase the cost beyond initial expectations.
Cr Saravinovski said giving Gardiner Park a synthetic surface would mean there would be three such fields in the area.
Work is under way to install a synthetic playing field in the Ador Avenue precinct at Rockdale.
Cr Saravinovski said ward councillors and Rockdale MP Steve Kamper had all played a part in securing the funding for the works, which would benefit present and future residents of Arncliffe and Banksia.
Mr Roberts said, during consultation on the Bayside West Precincts in late 2016 and early 2017, more than three-quarters of the survey respondents said they wanted more and improved open space.
Workshops were also held where residents could make suggestions.
“We’ve listened, and we’re delivering,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the draft plan for the precincts would include new homes, community facilities, shops, businesses, new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and new green space.
In 2017, then Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the new homes, mostly apartments, were expected to be built over 20 years, with potential for 4100 at Arncliffe and 1000 at Banksia.
