There’s more than an international airport being built in the backyard of South West Sydney.
The airport is due to open in 2026, the same year a brand new city will start to take shape.
Its name, Bradfield is debatable, but that’s another story.
In any case, residents and visitors to Australia’s newest city will enjoy world-class open space, with final designs for Bradfield city centre’s Central Park released for exhibition in the past 24 hours.
The two hectare city centre landmark will be the main civic centre, gathering place, and welcoming point in the city for visitors as they arrive and acting as an integral arts and culture hub for Western Sydney.
Due to open alongside the Bradfield Metro station in 2026, Central Park will be a drawcard for visitors from near and far, offering an attractive and functional space for people to explore, play, rest, and connect to nature.
A national design excellence competition was held to determine the future park’s design, judged by an esteemed jury.
The final design showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Dharug people and celebrates Sky Country.
As the first design competition in NSW to integrate Designing with Country as a core requirement, Bradfield city centre’s Central Park will set a benchmark for future public open spaces.
“Well designed public spaces are the lifeblood of any successful city and community,’’ says minister for planning and public spaces Paul Scully.
“Central Park will be the first impression visitors have when they arrive in Bradfield city from the new Western Sydney International Airport, so it’s critical we get it right.
“We want this to be a world-class, open green space that will complement the urban Bradfield city, providing diversity of spaces for everyone.
Key features of Central Park include:
- An iconic Skyring installation celebrating Sky Country.
- Gathering Ground for community and cultural events, with a capacity of more than 5,000 people.
- Interwoven Heart featuring Dharug weaving and woven play to enhance exploration, play, education, shade and celebration of First Nations culture.
- Integrated public art encouraging curiosity and discovery of the landscape.
- Extensive greenery, with minimum 65 per cent tree canopy cover of native species.
Two hectares for the proposed Bradfield city park is far to small, surely the powers that be could do much bettter.