First sod turned in major overhaul of Miranda’s Seymour Shaw Park

One of the Sutherland Shire’s most used and best loved outdoor recreational areas is about to undergo a major regeneration, with work on the first stage of the Seymour Shaw Park upgrade officially commencing with a sod-turn ceremony conducted onsite recently.

Works on stage one of the project will deliver a range of new and improved facilities to the expansive parklands, with the addition of a ‘Youth Active Sports Precinct’, with a skate park featuring two skate bowls and ‘plaza’ skating course, sculptural features that double as parkour and climbing elements, a new children’s playground with synthetic softfall, fencing and social shaded areas are among the new features that will be added to the park.

The project has been made possible through a $4.75 million investment from the NSW Government through their $250m NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program, and $370,000 contribution from Sutherland Shire Council for stage one of the project.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce said he was delighted to officially signal the commencement of works on stage one of the project today, saying the new and improved facilities set to be delivered over the life of the project would better cater for the outdoor recreational needs of people of all ages and abilities.

“Whether local residents are out playing for fun or forging a path to greatness, Council is committed to ensuring they have access to the high quality facilities they need to train and compete, or simply to get out and enjoy an active lifestyle,” Mayor Pesce said.

“Through this major upgrade to Seymour Shaw Park, we are not only providing local residents with a better and more diverse range of facilities to enjoy, but we are also delivering on our long-term vision to improve existing sports facilities that so many local residents rely upon.

“I’m immensely proud of the way such a diverse range of sports groups and other key stakeholders have provided their input into the planning for this project, ensuring that we can deliver a finished result which our whole community can enjoy for years to come.”

Member for Miranda, Eleni Petinos said that Seymour Shaw Park has long been a cherished outdoor recreational space for local residents, with the upgrade set to provide a more diverse range of ways for people to enjoy the much-loved park.

“An active lifestyle is at the heart of who we are in the Shire, which is why I am pleased the NSW Government has invested millions of dollars to create additional offerings for our community, especially our youth,” Ms Petinos said.

“Seymour Shaw Park has always been a major hub for footballers, netballers, cricketers and tennis players from across the Shire, and the new facilities set to be introduced through stage one of the masterplan upgrade, will attract even more people to this beautiful open space.”

“Whether it’s getting involved in team sport or training, accessing skating facilities or making the most of our open spaces, this upgrade will ensure there is even more for local residents to enjoy.”

“Additionally, the NSW Government is delivering nearly $3 million for stage two of the Seymour Shaw Park masterplan for new sports fields and amenities which will transform this important recreational space for our community to enjoy for years to come”.

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes, Anthony Roberts said the NSW Government was proud to throw their support behind the project to help revitalise one of the Sutherland Shire’s key outdoor spaces.

“The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is an investment in high quality public open space. Together, we’re delivering vital infrastructure for communities to love the place they live. The NSW Government is pleased to be contributing $4.75 million to the Seymour Shaw Park project.”

Key features set to be delivered as part of stage one of the project include:

  • Two deep skate bowls
  • Plaza skating facilities
  • A parkour course
  • An outdoor playground
  • Climbing facilities
  • Extensive seating and covered areas for shade

Stage two of the project will involve major re-levelling of the soccer, netball and cricket fields, toilet upgrades, a new multi-purpose building in place of the existing netball control room, bleacher seating, improved car parking and the relocation of the existing cricket nets.

Sutherland Shire Football Association CEO Jeff Stewart welcomed the commencement of work on the project, saying that such significant investment provided a rare opportunity to reshape the sporting and recreational precinct to better cater for the future needs of local sportspeople.

“Seymour Shaw Park has nurtured generations of keen local footballers and is one of the great community sporting and recreational areas we have here in the Sutherland Shire,” Mr Stewart said.

“The first stage of this project will deliver better and more diverse facilities for local people to enjoy outdoor fun and fitness, with more improvements set to come to football (soccer), netball and cricket facilities as part of the planned second stage.

“It has been an incredibly positive process to be able to advocate for the interests of the Sutherland Shire football community through the community consultation process undertaken by Council in planning for this project, and we will be delighted to see the results of this collaboration take shape.”