NSW Government to spend $20 million on public spaces in Sydney's inner west

The NSW Government has announced that it is to spend $20 million to create new public spaces and cycle paths in Sydney's inner west.

The funding, from the NSW Government’s Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program, will deliver 10 projects across the suburbs of Annandale, Leichhardt and Petersham with new cycleways, improved public spaces and a neighbourhood park.

Announcing the funding, NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the projects include three new cycle paths, two in Annandale and one in Leichhardt, as well as converting Petersham Street between Parramatta Road and Queen Street into a 300 metre² park.

Minister Stokes advised “the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the vital role our public spaces and the green links that connect them play in bolstering both our wellbeing and our local businesses

"We will continue to support councils to deliver attractive, usable public spaces for their communities to enjoy now and once this crisis is behind us."

The 10 projects include:

• A new cycleway along Dot Lane between Norton Street, Balmain Road and through to Hay Street in Leichhardt;
• A new shared pedestrian and cycle path along Johnstons Creek from Wigram Road to Chester Street in Annandale;
• A new dedicated cycle path at Pyrmont Bridge Road between Mallet Street and Parramatta Road in Annandale; 
• Converting Petersham Street between Parramatta Road and Queen Street into a 300 metre² park with new trees, benches and bike racks; and
• Improvements to six streets that cross Parramatta Road in Leichhardt and Petersham, including new trees, benches, lighting and cycleway markings.

For more information visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/pruaip

Image: Concept for the new Petersham Street park. Courtesy of NSW Department of Planning.