Better streets and spaces

New park for Green Square residents

One of Australia’s fastest growing precincts will soon be home to a new open space for locals to relax and enjoy.

Drying Green aerial with artwork Stream by Kerrie Poliness - Credit Arterra

Our new park, the Drying Green, will be a huge 6,200 square metres providing open space for locals and walking connections to the Green Square town centre.

Wool washing was one of the first industries in Green Square and the new park takes its name from the site’s industrial past.

Lakeside wool wash and drying green at Botany, 1899. Credit: Sydney Mail, 4 March 1899, courtesy State Library of NSW
Lakeside wool wash and drying green at Botany, 1899. Credit: Sydney Mail, 4 March 1899, courtesy State Library of NSW

After being washed, the fluffy white fleeces were spread out to dry naturally, covering acres of ground.

Sydney was the wool capital of the world for about 150 years. It had a global reputation as a hub for processing, storing, marketing, manufacturing and exporting wool.

Teams of horses carting wool bales trundled up and down Botany Road delivering the wool bales to local businesses.

Wool delivery, Sydney, c. 1885-1890. Credit: Arthur K Syer, State Library of NSW
Wool delivery, Sydney, c. 1885-1890. Credit: Arthur K Syer, State Library of NSW

At the Drying Green, residents will soon be able to kick a ball around, picnic with their family or relax on the grass lawns.

The new park will include a wetland water feature that collects and reuses stormwater. There’ll be a picnic and barbecue area, terraced seating, a solar-powered public artwork, an amenities building with a green roof and sloping, landscaped surfaces.

Artist impression of the Drying Green, Green Square
Artist impression of the Drying Green, Green Square

The Drying Green will provide walking links to the new library and plaza and other community facilities in the town centre.

Major work including piling and ground improvement has already been done to prepare the site. Landscaping and building work will be completed by early 2022.

Artist impression of Drying Green, Green Square
Artist impression of Drying Green, Green Square

Green Square will accommodate close to 61,000 people by 2030, living in 30,500 new homes, and provide around 21,000 permanent jobs.

That’s why we’ve committed more than $540 million to developing this important new area.

New community facilities include a creative centre, a childcare centre and a community shed. Construction on a state-of-the-art aquatic and recreation centre is also underway.

More than 40 parks will emerge in Green Square, providing plenty of open space for residents, workers and visitors.

Published 3 June 2020