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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 11 July 2009 SYDNEY'S NEWEST PARK OPENS AT BALLAST POINT Premier Nathan Rees today opened Sydney’s newest park at Ballast Point on the Balmain peninsula. Mr Rees joined Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally, Member for Balmain Verity Firth and local families at an open day to celebrate the park’s opening today. “This represents additional green, open space close to the city,” Mr Rees said. “Ballast Point is a fantastic addition to the cityscape – opening more of our spectacular foreshore for public use. “The 2.6 hectare park is an $11 million investment by the NSW Government which preserves the site’s heritage.” The new park features: • Foreshore walks; • Cycle paths; • Green picnic spots; • Tank 101 – a structure to symbolise the site’s working harbour history; • Wetland areas to filter the site’s stormwater before it enters the Harbour; • Walls, decks and seating made from recycled materials; and • Native trees, shrubs and grasses grown from locally collected seed. “The remarkable restoration of the former industrial site into world class public open space is a huge win for the local community, the people of Sydney and this State,” Mr Rees said. “Over the past seven years, the project has also supported around 250 jobs, including designers, architects, landscapers and artists. “The park has captured the site’s significance from its Aboriginal history to its place as a working harbour. “Aboriginal history has been recognised in a dual name -- Walama. “Meaning ‘to return’, Walama highlights the area’s dramatic transformation from industrial use back to nature.” Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said that Ballast Point Park sets new standards for sustainable park design. “The park is a major step in restoring the headlands to their original form, including Balls Head, Blues Point and Barangaroo,” Ms Keneally said. “The Park also includes walls, decks and seating made from recycled materials, and native trees, shrubs and grasses grown from locally collected seed. “Sydneysiders and visitors will be able to enjoy this prime harbourside spot for centuries to come.” Member for Balmain, Verity Firth MP, welcomed the completion of the Park. “This is a fantastic win for the many residents of Balmain who campaigned for years for the site to be returned to the people,” Ms Firth said. “This will be a wonderful addition to our community, and to Sydney. “I’m particularly pleased that the NSW Government wasn’t prepared to give up on the site. “It’s fantastic that Ballast Point has opened up more of our foreshore for public use.”
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