Inner West Busway along Victoria Road
Background
Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) used part of King George Park, Rozelle from mid-2009 to facilitate the construction of the Inner West Busway. This area of the park was used to provide office facilities and staff car parking and was the main construction compound for the bridge.
Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) has completed the restoration of the construction site office in King George Park. A new playground and improved pedestrian and cyclist connections between the new bridge and the Bay Run along the Rozelle foreshore were designed in consultation with the community and council.
The playground, officially opened on Saturday 7 May 2011, provides the community of Rozelle and its visitors with facilities that cater for all age groups.
To view Leichhardt Council's Restoration of King George Park July 2010 report, click here.
Working with the community
Community input played an important part in developing the plans to restore King George Park. Discussions generated by the community during workshops held in April and June 2010, included:
- Connection to the Bay Run, including retention of the temporary stairs.
- Play facilities that cater for all age groups.
- Limiting the speed of cyclists using the Bay Run in this area.
- Landscaping, plantings and future bush care work.
- Companion animals.
- The 'constellation' theme concept.
View the King George Park Restoration Landscape Master Plan.
Park redesign elements
This portion of King George Park that was previously used as office facilities/main construction compound now provides:
- Active and passive recreational spaces that cater for all ages.
- Regeneration of selected landscape areas with suitable plant species to increase biodiversity and to extend the foreshore flora and fauna corridor.
- Landscape screening of Victoria Road and the new bridge.
- A landscape design that allows filtered views to Iron Cove and an increased interaction with the water's edge.
- A 'constellation' theme – the sky, stars and moon theme is a cultural theme that emphasises alternate play elements including water and sound. Moon and star motifs have been incorporated into the playground design through paving patterns and the general form of the play areas.
- View the concept design for the 'constellation' playground.
- Fact sheet - restoring King George Park.
Restoration works
The restoration of King George Park was a major part of the project's urban design and landscape plan. The restoration work included:
- Removal of temporary construction equipment including offices, parking area, fences and hoardings.
- Provision of a shared-use path to connect the Bay Run and the new bridge.
- Provision of a new and improved children's playground.
- Reinstatement of the 'International Day of Mourning' Memorial and original sandstone abutment lookout.
- Parkland landscape improvements including grass, trees, plants, seats, signage and retaining walls.
