The NSW Government has allocated $4.75 million in funding to Hunter’s Hill Council, as part of the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.
The funding will be used for the embellishment of Figtree Park, with an aim to increase public use of the space and improve connections to adjoining streets through improved traffic and pedestrian outcomes.
Plans for the revitalisation of Figtree Park have progressed with Council endorsing latest designs for the project at its March meeting.
Council resolved to proceed with the project based on a revised design that does not require the removal of any prescribed vegetation in the park.
The revision follows determinations of the Hunters Hill Local Planning Panel, which in September 2022 approved the demolition of a dwelling and associated outbuildings at 48 Gladesville Road, and refused a development application on 19 December 2022 and a review application on 17 March 2022, for the removal of trees to facilitate the upgrade of Figtree Park.
The revised design includes changes to some pathway locations to ensure the protection of trees and root zones, and a re-routing of some underground services.
The latest design retains an amenities building, a playground, and vastly improved drainage, amenity, and accessibility.
Council is expected to consider a recommendation at its April meeting for the awarding of a construction contract for the Figtree Park project.
The project is being funded through a $4.75million grant under the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program and is informed by an extensive multi-phase community consultation process.
This page will be updated as the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program project progresses.
Endorsed concept plans for Figtree Park reflect community feedback received as part of a multi-phase public consultation process.
The first phase of community consultation was run through July and August 2021.
Council received a progress report on the Figtree Park project, including outcomes of the first phase of public consultation, at its ordinary meeting of 18 October 2021 and acknowledged the second stage of consultation for the project.
A second phase of consultation, held during October and November 2021, sought public feedback on two proposed concept designs.
A Citizen’s Panel in November brought together a representative group of community members to provide recommendations to Council.
Read more:
Figtree Park Consultation Phase 2 report
Engagement Outcomes Report for the Figtree Park Citizen’s Panel.
Figtree Park Consultation Report
Appendix 1 – Community Engagement Responses and Recent Media
Video: Take a walk through Figtree Park.
In preparing the application for funding, a scope was developed for this high-quality project. The scope has been further refined through the consultation process. The scope included:
As part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 economic recovery program, all NSW Councils were invited to submit a proposal to the Public Spaces Legacy Program.
Hunter’s Hill Council submitted a proposal to upgrade Figtree Park. We have met the initial milestones for the project, and plan to deliver a high quality open space that is accessible to all of our community.
The funds for this project are from a non-competitive NSW Government grant, and will not draw on rate funding.
Details of the Public Spaces Legacy Program can be found on the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website program page.
The Figtree Park project includes over 7000m2 of green, public open space. The green space in the image below (excluding the croquet lawn). It’s almost 2 acres of open space, in the middle of Hunter’s Hill Council LGA, and surrounded by local businesses and services that are central to our community.
Image: Figtree Park, bordered by Ryde Road, Matthew Street and Gladesville Road.
For comparison Figtree Park is half the size of Trafalgar Square or 14 basketball courts.
The Public Spaces Legacy Program project is funding the upgrade of the open space only, however a summary of the usage of the buildings along Gladesville Road is below:
The scope includes a green corridor onto the business village area of Gladesville Road and accessible pathways throughout the park to enable everyone to enjoy the park. New access points are also proposed.
The scope has an accessible amenities block and inclusive playspace accessible for many types of users.
A Citizen’s Panel brings together a representative group of community members with different perspectives and values to address a public problem. The Panel is provided with relevant evidence and information to come to a decision, which is then provided to Council as recommendations.
Council engaged external consultants, Captivate Consulting, to coordinate the Citizens Panel for Figtree Park. This included the selection of the panel members and facilitation of a workshop session. Thus this process is run independent of Council.
Read more in the Engagement Outcomes Report for the Figtree Park Citizen’s Panel.
A small number of responses requested an off leash/dedicated dog area.
The recommended minimum size of a fenced dog park is one acre, which would result in that being the predominant use of the site, and therefore would not be suitable for this site.
A large off leash dog zone is also located 500m from Figtree Park, at Riverglade Reserve.
22 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill NSW 2110
PO Box 21, Hunters Hill NSW 2110
Tel: (02) 9879 9400
E: customerservice@huntershill.nsw.gov.au
ABN: 75 570 316 011
We acknowledge that The Wallumedegal people of the Eora Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this land.