The final stage of work at Gannons Park is set to be completed with a $1.3 million stormwater upgrade that will improve water quality and save Georges River Council thousands of dollars a year in water costs.
The NSW Government is providing $650,000 for the construction of the project under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program (MGP), which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Georges River Council.
Oatley MP, Mark Coure, said the new infrastructure will include the installation of wetlands, ponds and other systems to save water waste and significantly increase biodiversity and habitat quality.
"This upgrade will allow us to harvest stormwater to irrigate sports fields and improve the quality of water that runs into the Georges River," Mr Coure said.
"Each year, we estimate this infrastructure will save about 30 million litres of water at a cost benefit of $50,000."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Rob Stokes, said the project was one of 13 selected under the current round of the program worth $4 million.
"This is the longest running open space grants program in NSW, having started in 1983, with more than $45 million provided for around 600 projects," Mr Stokes said.
"Over the last decade alone, this program has helped create some fantastic public spaces, such as the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail, the Great West Walk and Great Blue Mountains Trail, which are all loved and used every day."
Councils are required to plant at least one tree for every $2,500 received and match the grant funding.
The $3.7 million transformation of Gannons Park at Peakhurst has included the restoration of the Upper Boggywell Creek ecosystem and the reopening of the boardwalk.
Georges River Council mayor, Kevin Greene, said the council has undertaken significant environmental and recreational improvement works at Gannons Park based on the Gannons Park masterplan.
"This work has increased the accessibility of the park, created new habitat and improved the amenity of the area through the construction of water sensitive urban design features, path networks, landscaping, sporting field upgrades and the construction of a new sports amenity building," Councillor Greene said.
Georges River Councillor, Lou Konjarski, said that this improved infrastructure will enhance biodiversity across the entire Georges River area through improved water collection.
"This stormwater upgrade is a fantastic initiative that will allow us to better use our water for irrigation while increasing water quality for the Georges River," Mr Konjarski said.
The Metropolitan Greenspace Program is aligned with the Premier's Priority "Greening our City", requiring one million trees to be planted across Greater Sydney by mid-2022.
