Greater Sydney Parklands

Visitor use and activities policy

Western Sydney Parklands and Parramatta Park

Objective

To effectively manage the use of lands under the care and management of Greater Sydney Parklands (GSP) by park visitors.

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Introduction

GSP recognises the importance of open space for the community. We welcome, support and provide opportunities for visitors and the community to participate in a variety of activities within the park.

With increasing visitation across our parks, GSP is committed to manage:

  • equity of access – e.g. potential conflict with users, management of demand, domination and monopolisation of areas and use of public land
  • impact on facilities – e.g. large groups causing undue wear and tear to recreational facilities and spaces
  • public safety and liability concerns – e.g. shared paths and diversity of user groups
  • impacts upon nearby residents, stakeholders and the public e.g. noise or litter.

 

This policy responds to the need to balance the use and enjoyment of Western Sydney Parklands and Parramatta Park by visitors.

Aims

In implementing this policy, GSP aims to:

  •  ensure equity of access to the parklands
  • ensure the safety of participants
  • ensure visitor activities do not impact turf and facility condition and maintenance
  • minimise safety and public liability concerns
  • appropriately manage the park to prevent conflicts
  • minimise the impact on nearby residents, stakeholders and other park users.

Scope

This policy covers all lands within Western Sydney Parklands and Parramatta Park under the care and management of GSP for all visitor activities and functions.

This policy excludes leased or tenanted sections of Western Sydney Parklands and Parramatta Park and defined sporting venues.

Legislation and regulation

GSP is established under the NSW Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Act 2022. GSP is responsible for the long-term strategic planning and operational day-to-day management of Parramatta Park and Western Sydney Parklands.

The management of Parramatta Park is guided by legislation, most relevantly the Parramatta Park Trust Act 2001, and regulated by the Parramatta Park Trust Regulation 2019.


The management of Western Sydney Parklands is guided by legislation, most relevantly the Western Sydney Parklands Act 2006 and regulated by the Western Sydney Parklands Regulation 2019. 

Permissible activities not requiring approval

The following types of activities are permitted without approval:

  • Socialising and dining - picnicking, meeting friends and family, having a meal break, visiting one of the park’s food outlets or attending social/family functions.
  • Passive recreation – activities including bushwalking, bird watching, enjoying the environment, meditation, reading, relaxing, drawing, painting, studying or sightseeing.
  • Active recreation – visiting playgrounds, cycling, exercising, jogging, playing ball games, rollerblading, skateboarding, Tai Chi or other casual sports.
    These activities are permissible and do not require prior approval or a booking when:
  • the activity is undertaken by an individual or private group
  • the group size is less than 40 people
  • the sporting activity is of a social nature and not part of any organised competition or group
  • no one is being instructed (e.g. by a trainer or instructor).


Permissible activities requiring prior approval

The following types of activities are permitted with the prior written approval of GSP:

  • Commercial activities – any type of commercial operations including personal training, selling products or services, operating mobile food vans, ticketed concerts or any other type of commercial undertaking.
  • Fundraising activities – all types of fundraising activities including walkathons, fun runs, charity stalls and barbecues.
  • Community events – all community events that are advertised, open to the public, ticketed or any function that has more than 50 people attending.
  • Private functions – all wedding ceremonies, wedding photography or any function that has more than 40 people attending.
  • Filming and photography – all commercial, student, corporate, professional or other type of filming or photography activities.
  • Function with additional items – use of animals, petting zoos, amusements, onsite caterers, generators, amplified music, public announcement systems, musical performances, gender reveal parties, directional signs, banners or displays, marquees, stall or shade structures.

Activities that are not permissible

The following types of activities are not permitted, these include but are not limited to those defined in the Parramatta Park Regulation and Western Sydney Parklands Regulation.

  • Motor/dirt bikes – are not permitted in any area within the parklands other than public roadways and car parks.
  • Motorised equipment – fuel or battery-driven motorised bicycles, scooters, remote-control cars, planes, helicopters, drones or similar equipment.
  • Horse riding – horse riding of any kind.
  • Pegging – pegging of nets, stumps, structures or other items. 
  • Hunting – hunting or use of weapons of any kind.
  • Dogs off-leash – are only permitted at Warrigal Dog Run, the designated dog off-leash area at Bungarribee Park and Shale Hills Dog Park.
  •  Kite fighting 
  • Fishing – is not permitted in the ornamental ponds within the Parklands picnic areas.
  • Coal/charcoal barbecues – are only permitted in the designated coal/charcoal barbeque areas at Lizard Log and Bungarribee Park.
  • Marquees, stalls or shade structures larger than 3m x 3m - structures such as 6m x 3m marquees are not allowed.

Review

This policy will be reviewed every 2 years or as determined by GSP.

Responsibility

The Senior Manager, Visitor Services, is responsible for the overall management of this policy.

Further Information

For further information or enquiries about visitor use and activities, please contact GSP: