Episode: #13 9/12/06
Presenter: Dean Boone

Burwood council is one of the smallest council areas in Sydney, but it is a council with BIG ideas and a grand vision for what is to become know as Wangal Park. It is a project that will turn 5.4 hectares of waste land into an urban oasis for all of Sydney to enjoy

Through water sensitive design principles, it is becoming a haven of greenery, bird life and activity for everyone in the local area and an opportunity to help create important ?lungs? of the city.

Rehabilitation of the site is strictly controlled by the EPA and layers of earth, stone and soil have been recycled to cap the waste on site. Then the site is shaped for maximum stormwater collection, recycling and reuse. The community has been heavily consulted to create harmonious parkland that everyone will love.

The design intent is to create a natural system that filters and manages the collected rainwater. The park will be irrigated from large dams, which also serve as ornamental lakes in the park and will become the main focus. Loads of trees, shrubs and groundcovers will create some great usable space.

Recycling of the water will also be done through plantings and the aim is to have native grasses and sedges filtering the water as it enters the system. All of this will be landscaped with trees, cycle ways and boardwalks plus some great areas for rest and play.

The environmental benefits of a project like this should not be underestimated. Burwood Council is creating sustainable parkland that manages its own water. In times of drought this couldn?t be more important and as a bonus it will become a stunning asset to the community.

The design will also take in some of the heritage character Burwood is famous for, with reuse of bricks from a former brick pit on the site into structures like walling and amenities. It demonstrates that with a little forward planning, allot can be achieved.

The Mayor, John Faker:

?We are very excited about this project as it is very unique in that it is delivering this great big parkland for families in the suburb and the surrounds. The aim of it is to make it family friendly and bring families down to the park.?

The motto for Burwood Council is Heritage Pride and Progress. The rare site has been a great opportunity to demonstrate how all of those values can come together in the one location. It is a great park and a great environmental project.

Burwood Council
www.burwood.nsw.gov.au
2 Conder Street
Burwood NSW 2134
Phone (02) 9911 9911
Email council@burwood.nsw.gov.au