🏆 Congratulations to Our 2025 NSW/ACT Awards of Excellence Winners & Commendations
Parks & Leisure Australia NSW/ACT proudly congratulates all the winners and commendation recipients from the 2025 Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, held at Doltone House Hyde Park. This year’s awards celebrated the people, projects and organisations leading the way in innovation, inclusion, sustainability, and community impact across our sector.
🥇 Award Winners
Best Use of Technology Award
Winner: Rippit Golf Newcastle – Golf Australia
Sponsored by Powerblocks
Transforming urban spaces into technology-driven golf hubs with a strong focus on inclusivity and sustainability.
Community Facility of the Year Award
Winner: Gipps Street Recreation Precinct – Penrith City Council
Sponsored by Christie
A major redevelopment of a former waste facility into a dynamic, multi-use community space.
Park of the Year Award
Winner: Old Menangle School Site – Wollondilly Shire Council
Sponsored by GLG GreenLife Group
A heritage-listed site reimagined as a community hub through careful planning and collaboration.
Research Award
Winner: The Risks of NOT Planting Trees – Blacktown City Council
Sponsored by ETP Turf
A multi-year project redefining risk frameworks for urban tree planting policy.
Community Based Initiative of the Year Award
Winner: Safer Blacktown: Her Way – Blacktown City Council
A collaborative initiative improving public space safety through community-led design.
Commendation: Artwalk Coastal Nights 2024 – Port Macquarie Hastings Council
Regional/Rural Industry Contribution Award
Winner: Carmichael Park – Cessnock City Council
Upgraded to a regionally significant facility with new recreational infrastructure, including the LGA’s first BMX pump track.
Environmental Stewardship Award
Winner: Walk on Wangal Nature Trail – City of Canada Bay
Commendation: Friends of Mrs York’s Garden – Port Macquarie Hastings Council*
A model for urban greening, integrating Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity restoration.
Playspace Award (<$500k)
Winner: Fagan Park Children’s Forest – Hornsby Shire Council & Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects
Nature-based play and environmental education through immersive, interactive design.
Commendation: Arthur Phillip Park Playground – City of Parramatta
Playspace Award (>$500k)
Winner: Rathmines Youth Hub – Lake Macquarie City Council & Convic
A youth-focused destination featuring a skate park, pump track, and more.
Commendation: Bain Park Revitalisation Project – Port Macquarie Hastings Council
Strategic and Master Planning Award
Winner: Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre – Tamworth Regional Council & Otium
A regionally significant development supported by all levels of government, focused on health, wellbeing and economic impact.
🎉 We congratulate all nominees and finalists for their outstanding contributions to our sector, and we look forward to cheering on our NSW/ACT winners as they represent the region at the National Awards in Hobart this November.
