Green Links Draft Masterplan

A “Green Link” is a linear open space corridor, typically used for recreation and/or active transport (e.g. walking, running, riding) and may sometimes include connectivity with other forms of green transport (e.g. public transport). As the term implies, it is typically a ‘green’ or vegetated corridor.

The term ‘Green Link’ or ‘Greenway’ is used around the world, and while different places all have a local flavour, generally the following elements are included:

• a central feature is an off-road shared path, continuous over several kilometres
• often feature ecological restoration and/or a biodiversity focus, but always feature vegetation
• sometimes follow the routes of other natural or built infrastructure (such as creeklines, rail corridors), or other forms of grey infrastructure (eg. utility services or passages available due to former roadways/transport corridors)
• some emphasise active and passive recreational use
• present an opportunity to escape from urban areas into nature
• strong (inter)connections to local and regional destinations
• they often invite engagement with local culture, and may feature local history, public art or other interpretive elements

Council delivers a wide range of sport and recreation services and natural areas through a network of regional, district, neighbourhood and local open spaces, parklands, sportsgrounds and facilities. While the network has served the community well for many years, Council recognises that within the context of a rapidly growing and changing area, the roles and functions of our parks and facilities need to be reviewed and updated to meet the community's needs. The Green Links draft Masterplan identifies how these three open space corridors will be upgraded and improved over the next 20 years.

This Masterplan has been prepared in response to the Greater Sydney Commission - Greater Sydney Region Plan – A Metropolis of Three Cities, Greater Sydney Commission - Our Greater Sydney 2056 – North District Plan and City of Ryde - Planning Ryde Local Strategic Planning Statement.

The Greater Sydney Commission - Greater Sydney Region Plan – A Metropolis of Three Cities provides the vision to connect communities and the landscape via a “Green Grid” of parks, open spaces, bushland and walking and cycling paths.  

The Greater Sydney Commission - North District Plan identifies the Eastwood to Macquarie Park Open Space Corridors as a “Priority Corridor” as follows:

“Eastwood to Macquarie Park Open Space Corridors will be extended and enhanced, including Shrimptons Creek, Terrys Creek and the Booth Road-North Road-Welby Street Green Link”.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment provided Council with a Metropolitan Greenspace Program grant to develop the Green Links Masterplan for implementation these three open space corridors.

Council has received in principal support from Sydney Water and Transport for NSW for inclusion of their lands in the Green Links Masterplan. Council will continue to work in consultation with these agencies. 

Overview of County Green Link.

The County Green Link provides a direct continuous link between Macquarie Park and Eastwood. This Green Link provides a multi-faceted open space corridor for green transport, recreation and blue and green ecology with links to parks, cultural/community and town centres, schools/university and other networks. It strengthens the connection and interconnection with current and future green transport options (eg. cycle, metro in Macquarie Park, rail in Eastwood and buses).

Most notably the County Green Link will realise a missing link in the active transport network which is of local and regional significance. The Masterplan will connect the existing short sections of shared user paths in Eastwood and Marsfield to form a continuous route from the Eastwood Station precinct to ELS Hall Park, with onwards connection to Macquarie Park via the Shrimptons Creek Green Link. The plans have considered safe road crossings for pedestrians/cyclists and includes a range of other general park, recreation and environmental improvements.

This Green Links includes Jim Walsh Park, open space land reservations owned by Transport for NSW/NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and links into ELS Hall Park.

The County Green Link demonstrates interconnectivity with the Terrys Creek and Shrimptons Creek Green Links and the surrounding context.

This Green Link is named after the County Road corridor, a future road reservation (which has not been realised). 

Click here to view County Green Link plans in detail(PDF, 8MB)

Overview of Shrimptons Creek Green Link.

The Shrimptons Creek Green Link provides a direct and continuous link between Macquarie Park, West Ryde and Meadowbank (with links onwards to Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park).

Currently the northern section along Shrimptons Creek has an existing shared user path (pedestrian and cycle) from Macquarie Park to Santa Rosa Park which terminates at Quarry Road. The Masterplan will extend the connection from Santa Rosa Park through to West Ryde and Meadowbank. The integration of the Sydney Water corridor and a range of other local improvements will achieve open space, recreation and active transport outcomes. The plans have considered safe road crossings for pedestrians/cyclists and include a range of other general park, recreation, community/cultural and environmental improvements.

This Green Link will realise a major missing link of local and regional strategic significance. It will strengthen active transport connectivity and link parks, cultural/community and town centres, education centres (current and future schools/universities) and a diverse range of public transport options (metro, rail, bus and ferry).

The Shrimptons Creek Green Link provides a direct connection between Macquarie Park and Parramatta, which is of regional importance and contributes towards realising the Greater Sydney Commission’s vision for a connected greater Sydney region for “three cities where most residents live within 30 minutes of their jobs, education and health facilities, services and great places”. The Shrimptons Creek Green Link provides important infrastructure which strategically connects and interconnects with a number of other current and future significant projects, such as Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct (in progress), Macquarie Park Education Precinct (future), Ryde Central (in progress), Ryde River Walk,  and a range of other masterplans/strategies such as Macquarie Park, West Ryde Town Centre, Midtown and ELS Hall Park, Greenwood Park and Booth Reserve.

This Green Links corridor includes Wilga Park, Elouera Reserve, Quandong Reserve, Booth Reserve, ELS Hall Park, Greenwood Park, Tindarra Reserve, Flinders Park, Santa Rosa Park, Beattie Park, Carara Reserve, Helene Park and open space land reservations owned by Sydney Water.

The Shrimptons Creek Green Link demonstrates interconnectivity with the Terrys Creek and County Green Links and the surrounding context.

This Green Link is named after Shrimptons Creek, which is first visible in Santa Rosa Park in Ryde flows in a northerly direction through Macquarie Park and into the Lane Cove River. 

Click here to view the Shrimptons Creek Green Link plans in detail(PDF, 20MB)

Overview of Terrys Creek Green Link.

The Terrys Creek Green Link provides connection between Eastwood and Macquarie Park (with links onwards to Epping and Turramurra). Terrys Creek is located between Eastwood and Epping and forms an important and well established ecological and recreation corridor linking to the Lane Cove National Park. Council has recently completed construction of pathways and a new boardwalk.

Terrys Creek forms an important regional biodiversity corridor, connecting to Lane Cove National Park. While recreational paths and boardwalks are provided through this area, the main focus is environmental; to protect and enhance the existing ecology. The existing bushland character of these parks is to be retained. The Terrys Creek Walk will include walking paths/track but is not intended to include a cycle path. The Terrys Creek Green Link focuses on access points (including improved amenity at these points) and connections to the surrounding networks. Council will progressively review the existing track network to strengthen the primary track. If/where required Council will rationalise any duplicate routes, unnecessary sections and close any informal tracks. The Masterplan seeks to formalise the short section of missing link in the Terrys Creek Walk (between Forrester Park and Forsyth Park) to provide continuous bush walking link from Eastwood to Lane Cove National Park. The plans include a range of other general park, recreation and environmental improvements.

The cycle route for the Terrys Creek Green Link is via Vimiera Road (on road between Eastwood Station to Epping Road), Vimiera Road (new off road shared user path from Epping Road) to Browns Waterhole (off road shared user path) and onwards to Turramurra. Plans also include future connection between the City of Ryde and Epping in the City of Parramatta local government area (as identified in City of Ryde – Planning Ryde Local Strategic Planning Statement) which will strengthen local and regional routes.

This Green Links includes Forrester Park, Forsyth Park, Pembroke Park, Lucknow Park, Somerset Park and links into Waterloo Park; and Berriwerri Reserve and Lane Cove National Park (both owned by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service).

The Terrys Creek Green Link demonstrates interconnectivity with Macquarie Park, County Green Link, Shrimptons Green Link and the surrounding context.

This Green Link is named after Terrys Creek, which flows from Eastwood in a north-easterly direction and enters the Lane Cove River at Browns Waterhole. 

Click here to view the Terrys Creek Green Link plans in detail(PDF, 24MB)

After the conclusion of this Stage 2 community consultation, Council will complete a number of steps and processes prior to the implementation of the Masterplan.