Month: July 2023

A stunning First Nations-led design for Harbour Park at Barangaroo has been revealed, showing how an empty concrete slab will be transformed into a regenerated natural retreat in the heart of the city.

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Harbour Park will be 1.85 hectares of open space and will become a place where people can explore, play, rest, discover and reconnect to nature, alongside Sydney’s iconic harbour.

First Nations-led and Sydney based design team AKIN’s vision for the park features nature play for all ages and abilities, an event lawn for hosting community and cultural events with up to 6000 people, public art installations, winding pathways to explore, extensive native planting and interactive water features.

The awe-inspiring design honours the long and deep First Nations history of the Gadigal, while leaving a legacy for the future. It showcases First Nations design methodologies to create a place that is rich in culture and deeply connected to Country.

Harbour Park will be a drawcard for tourists and Sydneysiders alike. The design complements the naturalistic headland of Barangaroo Reserve and the urban environment of Barangaroo South and is set to be a feature along the 14-kilometre continuous harbourside walk from Glebe to Woolloomooloo.

An open design competition was held to attract the best designers from Australia and around the world. A jury chaired by former Prime Minister, the Hon. Paul Keating and comprising leading figures from the local and international design community selected the winner out of 5 finalists.

The AKIN team is comprised of Yerrabingin, Architectus, Jacob Nash Studio, Studio Chris Fox and Flying Fish Blue, with Arup as engineering consultants.

Now the winning design has been selected, the team will consult with the community to refine and finalise the design and begin planning and procurement processes.

Key features of AKIN’s design for Harbour Park include:

• a timeless landscape with extensive planting, canopy cover, waterways and ponds
• nature play for all ages and abilities with shallow water pools, interactive water features, meandering pathways, toilets and a kiosk
• a series of significant public artworks that will be places of exploration, play, education, shade and celebration
• a large event lawn at the northern end of the site for community and cultural events and ceremonies, capable of hosting up to 6000 people.

Acting Premier of NSW Prue Car said:

“Announcing the winner of the design competition for Harbour Park is a massive milestone for the project, and we are excited to share the first designs of the park, from this local and First Nations-led design team.

“Harbour Park is on the traditional lands of the Gadigal, who have been the custodians of the land and waterways for millennia. The park continues the precinct’s commitment to honouring the role of First Nations people, the history of the site and its wider context.

“The new park will be an inclusive, family friendly place, with experiences for all ages and abilities. I am looking forward to seeing this incredible design come to life.”

NSW Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Government ran a competitive design competition to ensure a world-class direction for the future of this park, with competitors asked to prepare a design that encouraged passive and active recreation, as well as spaces that can be programmed for community and cultural events, and this design meets the bill.

“We are particularly excited by the focus on the design’s connection to the water, as it not only capitalises on the already stunning harbour views, it also includes interactive water features for play and cooling on a hot summer’s day.

“The community had a major influence on many of the park’s features and activities, and we will continue to bring the community on the journey as the design features are finalised and brought to fruition.”

Yerrabingin co-founder Christian Hampson, on behalf of AKIN’s family of designers and artists, said:

“We are incredibly honoured and humbled to be part of such a defining public project, weaving together the threads of landscape, art, and architecture.

“For us, this is much more than a park – it’s a place for us to celebrate an enduring culture and to move with Country, acknowledging and experiencing our collective past and present while dreaming of our future. This design is a new chapter connected to the most ancient of stories, carved in the Sydney sandstone: the story of Country and of us, its people.”

A project aimed at enhancing cultural awareness and competency by promoting available volunteer opportunities through targeted recruitment processes has been awarded a NSW Government grant through the inaugural Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Grants program.

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Run by the South Sudanese Community and Youth Association of NSW, the South Sudanese and CALD Communities Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Project will emphasise volunteer recognition, retention, and support through training and engagement, with a focus on building strong volunteer relationships.

The Minister with responsibility for Volunteering Jodie Harrison said this is just one of 23 projects that have each received up to $25,000 through the program, which has a goal of encouraging volunteers from diverse communities across the state.

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of every community,” Minister Harrison said. “NSW is the best place to live and work in the world, and this is thanks to the selfless efforts of almost five million volunteers who contribute more than 1.5 billion hours of their time each year.”

“Volunteers come from all walks of life and bring a range of skills and experience and this grants program aims to tap into the wonderfully diverse communities of NSW.

“The South Sudanese and CALD Communities Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Project is an important initiative to encourage more diverse people into volunteering in their communities and to recognise the valuable contributions that they make.”

South Sudanese Community and Youth Association of NSW President Arek Desak said, “We are grateful to the NSW Government for awarding our South Sudanese Community and Youth Association of NSW the $23,520 for our South Sudanese and CALD Communities Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Project through the Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Grant program.

“Overall, the project seeks to empower the South Sudanese and CALD communities to engage in volunteering and contribute to their local communities.

“To enhance cultural awareness and competency, we will work closely with the South Sudanese and CALD communities to identify and address cultural barriers to volunteering. This will include implementing volunteer recognition programs, developing volunteer training programs, and providing ongoing support and engagement opportunities.”

The Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Grants program is a pilot initiative under the NSW Volunteering Strategy 2020-30. For more information and details about each funded project, visit Volunteering Diversity and Inclusion Grants Program.

The NSW Government opened ‘The Green’ at Parramatta North, a revitalised 8,000 square metre sportsground for the local community.

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The Green, first established in 1879, has been brought back to life as part of the revitalisation of Parramatta North, an emerging Western Sydney destination. This space responds to Parramatta North’s history, including the stories from the Burramattagal people of the Dharug Nation, and of other Aboriginal people who have new and enduring connections to this place. 

In collaboration with our partners, the City of Parramatta Council and the Office of Sport, The Green has accessible amenities, a rejuvenated turf playing surface, new temporary changeroom facilities and sustainable LED lighting.

Boosting participation in grassroots sport, The Green at Parramatta North will be open to the general public and local sporting groups to enjoy.

The revitalisation of Parramatta North will deliver a diversity of education, research, commercial, cultural and residential outcomes and provide key social and community infrastructure.

More information on Parramatta Northlaunch.

Minister for Lands and Property and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The Green at Parramatta North is a wonderful outcome for the community, and a new open space for sports organisations to run their programs and activities.”

“Between Parramatta Powerhouse, Parramatta Aquatic Centre and now ‘The Green’. The community offerings for Parramatta just keep getting better and better.”

“I look forward to seeing our future Parramatta sports stars get their start at this fantastic new community sportsground.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“Our community has been waiting a long time for The Green, so it is wonderful to be opening this new open space for the people of Parramatta.

“This is a part of Parramatta with a compelling story and deep history, and The Green, a revitalised sportsground, will bring more people to this incredible precinct.” 

Lord Mayor of City of Parramatta Sameer Pandey said:

“The Green at North Parramatta is an excellent new community sportsground providing a space to nurture the talented athletes of today and for generations to come.

“This sportsground is a terrific addition for our thriving population and for grassroots sports which is so essential in encouraging health, wellness and a sense of community in our great city.”

The NSW Government today announced major funding to bolster support for national charity, Lifeline. The investment will assist with the expansion of its telephone, text service, and online support for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

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NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said the investment will see people across the state have access to enhanced support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ms Jackson said Lifeline will receive $8.2 million over five years to facilitate the expansion of text and webchat services for NSW residents.

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Lifeline provides people in crisis with help from trained volunteers who listen, provide immediate support, assist to clarify options and choices as well as information about local services.

“Mental health and emotional wellbeing remain a key priority for me and the NSW Government. Now more than ever people need access to lifesaving mental health support and we are committed to ensuring people have that support,” Ms Jackson said.

“In 2022, Lifeline received over 360,000 calls from NSW callers. We know the demand for this service is incredibly high.

“When people are in crisis it can be difficult to seek help. The expansion of Lifeline’s text and web chat service in NSW will help to ensure people have a range of options when they need it most.

“We know this is particularly important for young people as sometimes making a phone call can be a barrier. We’re using technology they’re familiar with to create easier entry points and better accessibility for vulnerable people,” Ms Jackson said.

Lifeline Australia Chief Executive Officer Colin Seery thanked the NSW Government for the additional investment.

“This funding injection will ensure that Lifeline can deliver more support to people in distress through our text and webchat services, which are used more by harder-to-reach and at-risk groups such as young people, people with disabilities and people experiencing domestic and family violence,” Mr Seery said.

“Demand for our digital services is increasing at a significant rate and this funding will help to ensure people can access the support they need, wherever they are, day or night.”

Suicide has a devastating impact on families, friend, communities and workplaces. Knowing where to go to find support in a crisis can be lifesaving. The additional funding will help Lifeline continue to support even more people with confidential, non-judgemental care.

Anyone experiencing a crisis can call the below helplines for support and advice: Lifeline 13 11 14launch | Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800launch | Beyond Blue 1300 224 636launch

To be connected with specialist mental health services, call the NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511launch.

Multicultural groups from across NSW will receive a share of a one-off $2 million grant to deliver activities or projects that will build the capability of their communities, to recognise and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence.

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The 19 successful groups were part of a competitive grant process funded under the National Partnership Agreement which opened earlier this year. These included Focus Connect for its Safer Multicultural Families initiative to build the capability of multicultural communities in recognising the responding to domestic violence; and Canterbury City Community Centre for its Healthy Relationships Program supporting newly arrived migrant communities and refugee and asylum seekers.

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said empowering local community groups across a diverse landscape was critical to addressing domestic and sexual abuse at it roots. “We know that domestic and family violence can affect anyone from any social, religious or cultural background,” Minister Rishworth said.

“Supporting local groups who are already doing grassroots work to reduce the prevalence of family and domestic violence and sexual abuse in their communities is an important step in solidifying our approach to end this abhorrent crime.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said the grants will foster collaboration and innovation to assist multicultural and faith-led organisations to support culturally appropriate responses to domestic, family and sexual violence.

“This investment will help build the capability of multicultural communities in recognising and responding to domestic, family and sexual violence,” Minister Harrison said.

“Domestic and family violence leaves deep scars that affect everybody involved, in particular for women and children.”

Separately, the NSW Government has signed up to deliver additional frontline family and domestic violence workers as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment for more on-the-ground support for victim-survivors.

Funding for the additional 148 workers will be provided under the National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-27.

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said it was important to provide multicultural groups with the tools they need to respond to domestic and family violence.

“These initiatives will be the bridge that connects individuals from multicultural communities with organisations that can provide help when they need it,” Minister Kamper said.

“We know from experience that a one-size-fits all approach does not work and that culturally appropriate tools and resources make a real difference in many communities.”

Focus Connect Interim CEO Lee-Ann Byrnes thanked the NSW Government for the grant. “Survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence require holistic support to help them recover and rebuild their lives,” Ms Byrnes said. 

“This funding allows a trained caseworker to work one-on-one with survivors to identify needs and goals and provide wrap around assistance so these can be met and achieved.”

Canterbury City Community Centre CEO Esta Paschalidis-Chilas said: “We have been working alongside the very diverse local community for over 50 years, so we know that the issues surrounding Domestic Family and Sexual Violence are not well understood nor are the right resources and supports always available.

“Our Healthy Relationship Program will be designed and implemented in partnership with the Australian Rohingya Women’s Development Organisation and the Paki Women’s Hub. The program allows us, our partners and collaborators, the opportunity to do the language and culturally specific work needed to uplift the understanding of these communities,” Ms Paschalidis-Chilas said.

Visit Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Multicultural Community Grant Programlaunch for more information on the multicultural DV grant and its recipients.