It’s been a long time coming but work is finally starting on Wentworth Point’s Peninsula Park, after planning approval was granted.
Wentworth Point locals have been calling out for much-needed open space ever since the 3.9-hectare Peninsula Park was first promised by the former Liberal State Government in 2014.
A decade later and the high-density suburb is finally set to get its green lungs, with the NSW Government announcing that a modification to the existing development application had been approved.
It means work will now begin on delivering four hectares of open space.
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said Peninsula Park is the “final piece of the puzzle” that will turn the area into the vibrant community hub it deserves to become.
“The key to successful medium and high-density development is open space and proper infrastructure.
“The NSW Government is delivering on my commitment to provide the residents of Wentworth Point with the park they were promised 10 years ago.
“When work progresses on the Peninsula Park later this year, it will unlock a previously inaccessible area for the local community that will be enjoyed for many years to
come.”
However, part of the park will also be shared with Wentworth Point High School, subject to additional City of Parramatta Council approvals.
Peninsula Park will consist of just over 3.2-hectares of open space, while the playing fields will make up just over 0.8-hectares, which will be used by the school within school hours and accessible to the public out of school hours.
Parramatta Labor Councillor Paul Noack, who has long championed the delivery of the full 3.9-hectare Peninsula Park for the people of Wentworth Point, slammed the reduction in a post shared to Facebook.
“I am extremely disappointed at the Governments recent announcement regarding Peninsula Park,” he said.
“This is a breach of the 2014 Peninsula Park Agreement and cannot be accepted.
“I call on Chris Minns to intervene to deliver the full 3.9-hectare Peninsula Park.”
Work on the park and the shared open space for the school will begin in September 2024 with the park expected to open to residents in mid-2026.
The NSW Government also announced that Expression of Interests (EOI) for Year 8 enrolments for the future Wentworth Point High School are now open.
Year 7 enrolments are open to begin next year, with the school on track to open for term one of 2025.
“The EOI will help determine the level of interest in opening Year 8 enrolments for 2025. Opening a Year 8 cohort is dependent on enough enrolment interest to ensure a full curriculum offering for students,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said.
Approval of the modification allows the Department of Education to lodge plans for Stage 2 of the future Wentworth Point High School, which will eventually support 1,500 students. Melissa Johnston has been appointed as the school’s Principal.
To incorporate the new high school and shared open space, and provide for much-needed housing, the NSW Government said it will reduce the size and footprint of the future mixed-use development.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.