FAQs
What is happening to the existing dwellings on the land?
Council purchased residential dwellings at 155 and 157 Willarong Road for the purpose of creating a new town centre park. The dwellings were demolished in February 2025 and the area has been re-turfed while Council works with our community to plan for the future of this space.
What are development contributions?
Development contributions are payments made by developers to local councils to help fund the cost of new infrastructure and services that are needed to provide to support the new developments. This can include infrastructure like roads, footpaths, drainage systems, open space, and community facilities.
Why is a new park needed at this location?
Open spaces are highly valued by our community and are a key part of Sutherland Shire’s identity as a great place to live and work.
Council adopted the Open Space Strategy and Play Strategy in 2021. Both strategies aspire to provide quality open space within a 10-minute walk (800m) of most residences in the Shire and within a 5-minute walk (400m) of residences in high density areas.
Following analysis, we’ve identified that some areas of the Caringbah suburb are currently underserviced by open space. It’s important that we plan for open spaces to meet the needs of our community now and into the future.
Caringbah also lacks open space in proximity to its commercial centre. Building a new park at this location will improve access for more people to enjoy active lives connected to nature near where they live and work.
Council is committed to working in partnership with our community to create a vibrant, safe, and accessible open space here in Caringbah.
Will parking be impacted?
Council owns a time-restricted carpark at the northern end of the proposed park site adjacent to the Kingsway. As part of the planning phase for this project we are undertaking a parking study and consultation with local residents and businesses to understand how parking in this area is used and how it may change into the future.
Council will review all parking configuration options to ensure amenity for residents as well as adequate parking turnover for businesses.
Will trees need to be removed to make way for the park?
As part of preliminary planning investigations Council has commissioned an independent arborist report to assess the species and retention value of existing trees on the site. We will incorporate existing trees identified for retention into the design to ensure that we protect the amenity and environmental values of the site. Any trees identified for removal such as exotic species or those in poor health will be clearly identified in the concept design for the community to provide comment.
Will we get a chance to review the design?
Yes – following feedback from the community about how you would like to use this space in future, Council will prepare a draft concept design. When this is ready, we will make it available to the community and seek your feedback before the design is finalised.
Are you expecting that people will drive to visit this park?
No. Town Centre Parks are open spaces with their own special flavour. They provide access to green space for people living in compact forms of housing and their proximity to the town centre enhances the social, cultural and economic environment of the civic realm.
It is expected that most visitors will be people who live and work within walking distance, or people that are visiting the town centre and are looking for a place to relax and enjoy themselves while they go about their other business.
This type of park is a great space to meet a friend for coffee, sit and read the paper under a tree, let the kids run around for a quick energy burn, or enjoy your lunch break.
When will work start?
Subject to design and approvals, construction of the park is expected to commence in mid-late 2026.