NSW/ACT Awards Submissions 2025

Cessnock City Council

Carmichael Park has been elevated to a regionally significant facility with multiple infrastructure upgrades including lighting upgrades, a multipurpose court, hit up wall, cricket nets, and a new BMX pump track, the first of its kind in the LGA. Through these upgrades, Council has reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality co-located recreational facilities, which contribute to substantial positive social, health, environmental and economic outcomes for the community.

Penrith City Council

Penrith City Council transformed its disused waste facility site at Gipps Street into an exciting recreation precinct. The site presented a unique opportunity to address Penrith’s need for more sport and recreation facilities to support the growing population. It’s a dynamic facility that responds to community requests for a variety of recreation opportunities with sports fields, playspaces, youth zone, dog park, and more. The precinct welcomes thousands of visitors weekly, supports an active and vibrant city, and enhances Penrith’s reputation as the most liveable place in Western Sydney.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council

The Tacking Point Lighthouse Accessible Walkway project transformed an iconic heritage site in Port Macquarie into an inclusive, accessible destination. Guided by the Tacking Point Lighthouse Reserve Master Plan, the project introduced a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk using sustainable Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP). Community engagement, including input from the Aboriginal Advisory Group and disability advocates, shaped the design.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council

Friends Of Mrs York's Garden

In the heart of Port Macquarie, Mrs York’s Garden is more than just a garden - it's a thriving community hub. What started as a personal project to clear weeds and plant flowers has grown into a beloved community garden, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Mrs York's Garden. This transformation from a personal passion to a community treasure and a model for environmental stewardship has recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary of nurturing this space, creating a beautiful area for everyone to enjoy.

City of Parramatta

Arthur Phillip Park Playground in Northmead, NSW, is part of dynamic community space blending nature and play. The project is the realisation of a community-led master planning process which has stayed true to course from inception to completion. The inclusive playground promotes active and imaginative play for all ages groups and backgrounds. Thoughtfully integrated with the natural landscape, the playground exemplifies excellence in sustainable and inclusive design on a budget.

Northern Beaches Council

Lynne Czinner Park is a popular multi-purpose park in a natural setting providing a visual relief to the extensive surrounding development. The park is to be enjoyed by the surrounding community for a range of recreation, social, education and community activities.

Otium Planning Group

Tamworth Regional Council

The Tamworth Regional Aquatic Centre, incorporating the Northern Inland Centre of Sport and Health, will provide a regionally significant destination for sports, recreation, health, and leisure. This development aims to generate substantial health, social, wellbeing, and economic benefits for both the Tamworth community and the broader region. Through effective strategic planning, continuous stakeholder engagement, innovation, leveraging co-location opportunities, and comprehensive business case development, the project has successfully secured funding from all three levels of government.

Hornsby Shire Council

Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects

The Fagan Park Children’s Forest connects children with nature through play and environmental education. Transforming an underutilised area, it features over fifty new trees and interactive educational pods. Children engage in discovery-based learning, exploring sustainability, biodiversity, and the importance of trees. Aligned with Hornsby’s Urban Forest Strategy and Play Plan, the space fosters physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development while promoting eco-consciousness in future generations.

Northern Beaches Council

The Manly Dam Boardwalk project has set a benchmark for sustainable and inclusive recreational infrastructure. It has enhanced the visitor experience, promoted environmental stewardship, fostered inclusion, and demonstrated the value of community-driven projects in achieving lasting positive outcomes.

Collective Leisure

Pasifika Moving a co-designed, culturally responsive physical activity program for Pasifika mums in Western Sydney.

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

AECOM

George Kendall Riverside Park’s transformation showcases local and State Government alignment through the NSW Government’s Parks for People program. A former landfill site, reopened in October 2024 with 18 hectares of new parklands, improved connections, facilities, offering enhanced public open space for all to enjoy.

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

Place Laboratory

The Beaumont Hills adventurous space, is an early transit-oriented public open space, that has transformed state-owned land under the Northwest Metro viaduct, intentionally featuring youth focussed skate plaza, pump track, courts, and brightly painted public art to foster social equity, inclusivity, and intergenerational interaction through innovative design and community engagement. This innovative project was collaboratively delivered by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and Place Lab.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council

The Bain Park revitalisation project in Wauchope has transformed the community's premier CBD park with modern, inclusive facilities. Funded by the NSW Government and Port Macquarie Hastings Council, the project features a shaded playground, BMX pump track, and accessible BBQs. Extensive community engagement ensured the park meets diverse needs, fostering interaction and enjoyment. Innovative practices and local collaborations have created a vibrant, sustainable space, now a cherished asset for locals and tourists alike.

Wollondilly Shire Council

Council worked with Civille and G3 Architecture to develop the designs for the conversion of the locally heritage listed Old Menangle School into a new community hub and park and for the restoration of the former school building. The project involved Sue Rosen Associates to ensure the design conserved the heritage significance of the site. The project was constructed by Growth Civil Landscapes.

Golf Australia

Rippit Golf reimagines golf for the modern era, transforming small urban spaces into technology-driven entertainment hubs. Located in Newcastle, NSW, Rippit combines short-flight driving ranges, golf simulators, and mini golf into a vibrant, accessible venue that attracts almost 50% female participation. Built on repurposed tennis courts, it demonstrates land-efficient, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable innovation, setting a new standard for golf in the parks and leisure industry.

Campbelltown City Council

Campbelltown Billabong Parklands is a four-hectare iconic gateway to the Campbelltown CBD. The Billabong is a regionally-significant parkland and aquatic oasis where community can gather, relax, play and make memories.Inspired by the Dharawal National Park, the Billabong embraces local Aboriginal cultural heritage and brings access to water for local residents and visitors. The design reflects the natural environment of the nearby Georges River system, its tributaries, and O’Hares Creek with a series of interlinked and flexible spaces in a riverine-like parkland setting.

Campbelltown City Council

Campbelltown Billabong Parklands is a four-hectare iconic gateway to the Campbelltown CBD. The Billabong is a regionally-significant parkland and aquatic oasis where community can gather, relax, play and make memories. Inspired by the Dharawal National Park, the Billabong embraces local Aboriginal cultural heritage and brings access to water for local residents and visitors. The design reflects the natural environment of the nearby Georges River system, its tributaries, and O’Hares Creek with a series of interlinked and flexible spaces in a riverine-like parkland setting.

Lake Macquarie City Council

Convic

The Rathmines Park Youth Hub is a destination recreation space incorporating a 1000sqm skate park, pump track, basketball court, bouldering wall, car park, public amenities, passive recreation areas integrated within the broader regional park. The youth hub encourages active lifestyles and provides a dedicated and engaging environment for social interactions. It plays a crucial role in promoting well-being, social cohesion, outdoor recreation and exemplifies collaboration between local and state authorities to create a recreational space that benefits youth and the wider community.