Sturt Park and Acacia Park

A review of environmental factors (REF) is a document that is prepared to demonstrate due diligence and comply with the requirements of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (1979). Typically, it applies to construction activities which do not require consent under the act. Instead, the proponent (in this case, the City of Parramatta) must clearly demonstrate it has identified all environmental impacts of the proposal, along with mitigation measures to minimise those impacts. The REF needs to be appropriate to the nature and scale of the proposal, and often draws on specialist studies to reach a conclusion on the nature and extent of impacts and mitigations.

An independent planner was commissioned to prepare this REF. The planner integrated the advice and findings of all specialist designers and engineers who prepared the design for the upgrade and associated works. This was supplemented by reports commissioned for the project from heritage specialists, archaeologists and ecologists.

The City of Parramatta is committed to implementing the mitigations and safeguards identified in the REF.

Sturt Park and Acacia Park are important assets for our local community, but they are in need of an upgrade so that they are safer, better connected and state-of-the-art.

The Sturt and Acacia Parks Improvement Project will help to future proof and enhance these green spaces, ensuring they remain great, loveable parks well into the future. The improvements will strengthen our connection to the natural environment and ensure that the local community continues to have access to quality active and passive recreation spaces close to where they live.

Council received a $5 million grant from the NSW Government under the Precinct Support Scheme. This grant provides an opportunity to undertake major upgrades to parks within the Telopea Urban Renewal Precinct. The funding will be put towards improving Sturt and Acacia parks which are the two key open spaces in the local area.

The Sturt and Acacia Parks Improvement Project is a separate project and not dependent on the timeline or funding for the Telopea Urban Renewal Masterplan. The Telopea Urban Renewal Masterplan project identified the importance of upgrading these large, local green spaces.

For more information on the Telopea Urban Renewal Masterplan, please visit the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and NSW Department of Family and Community Services’ Communities Plus websites.

The Sturt and Acacia Parks Improvement Project is funded by a $5 million grant from the NSW Government under the Precinct Support Scheme and Council is committed to delivering as many improvements as possible within this budget. Our first round of community consultation on the draft concept designs highlighted the need for improved safety and including elements for many ages and abilities.

Council will continue to work closely with the community to understand the needs, aspirations and priorities for each park.

See the Project Timeline on this page for more information.

City of Parramatta acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the Darug people. For over 60,000 years, the area comprising present day Parramatta has been occupied by the Burramattagal people who played a significant role in the parks’ current locations including Ponds Creek. Council will be completing a heritage report for the parks during the design phase. The report’s findings will be reflected in designs that celebrate, respect and work around the heritage of the sites as appropriate and following Council and State guidelines.

Part of Sturt Park’s heritage value lies in the large Blue Gum Trees that formed the original bushland before Dundas Valley was cleared for farming and housing, and are now critically endangered within the Sydney basin. These significant trees will be protected in the future designs for the park. In line with Council’s ongoing commitment to restore urban bushland and waterways, Council aims to protect all significant remaining trees across the park and restore and rehabilitate the Ponds Creek.

Sturt and Acacia Parks will continue to be owned and maintained by Council.