Active Youth are Healthy Youth

In 2022, Council applied for funding under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program (formerly Westlnvest), in the category of Community Infrastructure - projects that improve access to quality sport, recreation and other community facilities that unite people and enable a diverse range of activities. The Project was identified by Council as being a priority for application and was ultimately successful in securing $1.5m of funding from the NSW Government under the program.

City of Parramatta's Community Infrastructure Strategy identifies a shortage of youth-focused play infrastructure across the LGA. Many parks and play spaces in Parramatta LGA lack a variety of facilities to meet the broader needs of diverse user groups - most play spaces within City of Parramatta are targeted at children 0-5 years of age (96%) or young people between the ages of 6-12 (66%). However, only 2% of the current play space network caters for young people aged 13+.

Council aims to support young people in the crucial development stage of self-identity, peer relationships, networks and value systems by providing accessible and attractive spaces to explore, socialise and relax. To achieve this, the Active Youth Are Healthy Youth project seeks to deliver a Design Brief for additional youth play facilities in the Dundas Ward (Dundas, Dundas Valley, Ermington, North Parramatta, Oatlands, Parramatta, Rydalmere and Telopea), which will be informed by a research based, strategic Youth Infrastructure Plan. The results of this project will help us figure out where and what type of youth facilities we will need in the future.

Area of interest - Dundas, Dundas Valley, Ermington, North Parramatta, Oatlands, Parramatta, Rydalmere and Telopea