New community trustee boards to shape the future of Sydney’s parks

41 locals will play a greater role in the future of Sydney’s public parks as the inaugural members of Greater Sydney Parklands’ new community trustee boards.

The new boards are made up of local parkgoers, council-nominated community representatives, First Nations people and heritage and environmental experts.

Five community trustee boards have been established at Centennial Park and Moore Park, Callan Park, Parramatta Park, Western Sydney Parklands and Fernhill Estate and will meet for the first time in early 2023.

Advising that the new boards are designed to give communities a stronger voice in the planning and management of their local parks, NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport, Rob Stokes stated “we promised when creating Greater Sydney Parklands that the new agency would strengthen community voices across the parklands and establishing these community boards is an important step in achieving this goal.

“It’s an opportunity for people with diverse backgrounds and interests to work together for the greater good of their local park, sharing their local knowledge and professional expertise to make our parks even better and ensure they meet local community needs.”

The boards will meet quarterly and provide advice, input and recommendations to the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Board on park stewardship, community needs, activities and usage, environmental and heritage issues.

The new members, who will be appointed for two years, were selected by a panel and appointed by Minister Stokes following a nomination period in September and October 2022.

Community members will be able to contact their community trustee board representatives about their local park in early 2023.

Click here for more information.

Image: Callan Park.