Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan among Western Sydney parklands to be transformed

The NSW Government’s WestInvest program will deliver $203.7 million for the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Master Plan to create a new lakes picnic precinct, build biodome greenhouses and establish one of the world’s leading and most sustainable scientific gardens.

The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is among the Western Sydney public parklands to be transformed via the NSW Government’s WestInvest program.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the 416-hectare Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan would be turned into a world-class public space for locals and visitors to enjoy adding “the enormous investment in the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan will make it one of the world’s most important and sustainable gardens and a treasured public space for the people of South West Sydney.

“It will encourage active lifestyles, restore biodiversity and improve access to quality recreational areas for families to enjoy.

“The project seeks to build on the important botanical science research and plant collections that are driving effective conservation to ensure the survival of plants and all life that depends on them.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the $304.3 million investment in Western Sydney’s parklands will deliver some of the best parklands in the nation.

Premier Perrottet notes “these parks and public spaces will become Western Sydney’s answer to Centennial Park and Hyde Park in the east, a generational investment to leave a legacy of beautiful public spaces.

“This funding will unlock and protect critical green space for the growing Western Sydney population to enjoy now and into the future as well as visitors arrive out at the new Western Sydney Airport.

“Our long term economic plan means we can make these investments in our communities alongside the hospitals, schools, roads and rail projects to keep our state moving forward.”

Other projects include:

• $85.6 million to upgrade Salt Pan Creek Reserve within Canterbury-Bankstown to strengthen the Salt Pan Creek Open Space Corridor and provide amenities for the local community;

• $15 million to collaborate with key stakeholders to progress the development of the Penrith Lakes precinct as a key tourism, recreation and sporting destination.

The funding also includes $65 million to open up and transform Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa, announced last week.

NSW Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the funding for the Salt Pan Creek Reserve project will support the realisation of the Salt Pan Creek Reserve Masterplan which includes new and improved sporting grounds, play spaces, active and passive recreation facilities and the opportunity for solar power generation.

“Salt Pan Creek Reserve, in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA, is a large open space, with significant potential for future recreation areas for the community,” Minister Roberts said.

“The upgrade of Salt Pan Creek Reserve will strengthen the Salt Pan Creek Open Space Corridor, which is a South District Green Grid Priority Project linking Bankstown to the Georges River. This is a fantastic outcome for the communities of south-west Sydney.”