NSW Government retains on-grass parking for Moore Park event accessibility

While the grass at Sydney’s Moore Park East has been used as a game day carpark for a century, in 2022, the former NSW Government amended the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust Act to include deadlines for the final removal of all on-grass parking near Kippax Lake and at the south of Moore Park East opposite the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Hordern Pavilion.

Although work is underway to develop a new carpark that will offset the removal of parking near Kippax Lake, the expected carpark completion date is late 2025, two years after the current 31st December 2023 legislated deadline.

It means thousands of parking spots will disappear without alternative parking arrangements being in place to ensure no overall loss of parking in the precinct.

This significant shortage will disproportionately affect residents who, despite the public transport improvements in the area, will still need to drive to attend events at the SCG and Allianz Stadium.

This is particularly crucial for young families, the elderly, those with accessibility needs and those travelling from western Sydney and regional NSW who require parking options to get to Moore Park.

The NSW Government will bring legislative amendments that will extend the operation of Lower Kippax until the Venues NSW carpark is completed, and until a solution to offset the parking at Showground is established.

The financial impact of not having a viable parking solution is significant.

Venues NSW has estimated an $18 million dollar revenue loss, with the local visitor economy set to lose $30 million across 66 event days per year.

Transport for NSW has been directed to develop a transport plan for the Moore Park precinct.

The NSW Government remains committed to removing on-grass parking at Moore Park over time and continuing to transform the space into 22-hectares of high-quality, multi-purpose parkland for the community including community sport.

The existing closure of parking on the grass at Upper Kippax remains in place.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns notes "Moore Park has been used for parking for decades. But it doesn't make sense to shut off access to thousands of parking spaces before the new carpark is complete.

"This is about ensuring people who travel from Western Sydney or around the state for sports and entertainment at Moore Park have equal access to parking.

"These public facilities need to be accessible to all residents, not just those nearby or those who have easy access to public transport.”