Frequently Asked Questions

The track will be in the Abbotsbury Precinct of Western Sydney Parklands. It will connect Calmsley Hill City Farm with Plough and Harrow East via the Dairy. It will connect to the Parklands’ network of more than 60km of tracks and trails which span the entire 27km length of the Parklands between Quakers Hill in the north and Leppington in the south.

You can access the new track from Plough and Harrow, Calmsley Hill City Farm, Lizard Log and The Dairy.

The population of Greater Sydney is projected to grow to 8 million by 2056, with almost half of the new population to reside west of Parramatta. The Parklands will provide room to move for the growing communities and offer open space, recreation and community facilities.

The Western Sydney Parklands Plan of Management 2030 outlines the strategic goals and objectives to ensure this vision is achieved. This includes improving connectivity within the Parklands and to adjacent residential areas. In 2019-2020, Greater Sydney Parklands undertook a strategic master planning exercise for the Parklands tracks and trails network. We found that the new track would provide a key missing link in the Parklands’ broader track network by giving walkers and cyclists a direct connection between Plough and Harrow and Lizard Log.

The track will benefit recreational walkers and cyclists who want to enjoy the beautiful environment in this part of the parklands. A significant number of these users are anticipated to reside locally within the Western Parklands City surrounding the Parklands. The track will take advantage of the great natural views across Western Sydney Parklands.

During the detailed design phase a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) will be prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation. It will address all matters affecting or likely to affect the environment as a result of the new track; and how Greater Sydney Parklands will mitigate them. We are working with industry specialists to prepare the relevant technical reports as part of this process.

The track and associated landscaping is estimated to cost $3 - 3.5 million.

Yes. Both Plough and Harrow and Calmsley Hill City Farm are expected to remain open during construction.

The project was initiated in 2015 when a Landscape and Linking Plan for the Abbotsbury Precinct was prepared but the project was deferred due to budgetary constraints. In 2019-2020, Greater Sydney Parklands undertook a strategic master planning exercise for the tracks and trails network in the Parklands, which highlighted construction of the new track as a priority project. As we work to fully fund the project, planning has recommenced.

Yes. In 2015 Western Sydney Parklands Trust (now Greater Sydney Parklands) held meetings with stakeholders and pop-up information sessions in the Parklands to give community members and residents the opportunity to learn about the project and provide feedback.

In early 2021 after the recommencement of the project, Greater Sydney Parklands held additional community pop-up information sessions and an online session with nearby residents. There is support and interest from the community for the new track. Some residents who live close to the future track have raised concerns around potential anti-social behaviour, privacy and noise impacts to their properties. The design was updated in response to this feedback, with adjustments made to the track alignment, removal of track links to residential streets, more secure fencing surrounding the track and additional tree planting. The updated plans were well received by the concerned residents in individual follow-up online meetings.

No. Tracks and trails within Western Sydney Parklands are not lit after hours.

Yes. The track corridor will be fenced where it passes through Calmsley Hill City Farm. This is to separate the track to ensure safety of park visitors within the farm and to improve security.

No. The track will remain open to the public 24 hours a day, which is consistent with other tracks in the Parklands, including the existing tracks that connect to the new track.

Yes. The track will have a concrete surface, which is the preferred finish to accommodate walkers and cyclists. The Western Sydney Parklands Design Manual contains additional information about the design standards that apply to tracks and trails in the Parklands.

There are existing amenities near the end of the track at Plough and Harrow. Additional amenities are not proposed.

The verges of the track will be mown regularly and trees will be looked after until they are established. Calmsley Hill City Farm will continue to manage areas outside of the track corridor within the farm.

Greater Sydney Parklands prioritises the health and safety of people in our parks. A risk assessment will be completed as part of the detailed design phase to ensure the track meets relevant standards and regulations. Greater Sydney Parklands will monitor use of the track once it is open and we will proactively address any issues that arise.

The track will be located away from the Parklands boundary, which will provide a natural buffer to neighbouring residents. Extensive plantings of new trees and shrubs will create a parklands setting around the track and provide greater privacy for neighbouring residents.

The final alignment of the track will be confirmed during the detailed design phase. The landscape concept designs give an indication of the proposed alignment.

The western edge of the dam passes through the core of Calmsley Hill City Farm and its associated operations, which is an unsuitable location for a recreational track. The proposed track balances the security, privacy and operational needs of both the farm and the neighbouring residents.

Yes. The alignment of the track is designed to minimise disturbance to farm animals and ensure that their need for food, water and shelter is not impacted.

Native trees endemic to the area will not be removed to construct the track. Weed species will be removed where they occur and the dead and dying pine trees along the parklands boundary near the track will be removed.

The existing endemic trees along the track will stay and there will be extensive planting of native trees, shrubs and grasses along the track to enhance the parklands environment and create a buffer for neighbouring residents. Plant species will predominantly be selected from the Cumberland Plain Woodland vegetation community. Further details on these plants can be found in the Western Sydney Parklands Design Manual.