Callan Park Master Plan wins top industry award

The Callan Park Master Plan’s balance of community, historical and health interests has helped it
win a prestigious award from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

The Planning Excellence Award acknowledges the work of Leichhardt Council and design firm, McGregor Coxall, in achieving an inclusive design that preserves open space and heritage, provides recreation space, and develops health, community and education facilities.

In making the award, the Institute said “The Callan Park Master Plan has captured the support of the community by facilitating a consultation process that allowed the community to take ownership of the project and be truly involved.

“MacGregor Coxall and its team have prepared a coherent document that makes sense of a hugely complex site and myriad issues. Its success lies in its distillation of a large body of information into a clearly enunciated vision for the future of this important public site.”

Mayor of Leichhardt Councillor Rochelle Porteous congratulated McGregor Coxall for their win.

“As consultants they were very committed to the Plan, and we thank them for the work they did to
bring it to its current stage,” she said.

“Consultation, drafting and Council approval of the final draft of the Callan Park Master Plan took 18 months. It included a comprehensive community engagement process in which over 2000 people took part through a series of workshops, drop in events and a dedicated interactive website.”

The Plan was presented to the State Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard, in November and discussions are continuing with the State Government about implementing the plan.

The 61-hectare site in Rozelle will become an important state facility for world-leading mental health services and a regionally significant public asset for Sydney’s inner west.

“Keeping the park in public hands is a tribute to the people of Leichhardt,” said Cr Porteous.

“This beautiful Park belongs to the people because it has been saved – on many occasions – by the people.”

Leichhardt Council took on the financial responsibility for developing the Master Plan when the previous State Government declined.

“However, Council still believes that the significance of the site warrants the State Government sharing this responsibility contributing half of the planning costs,” said Cr Porteous.

This Master Plan offers a secure, positive future for Callan Park.