Nathan Hagarty MP, Member for Leppington and Liverpool City Councillor, and Charishma Kaliyanda MP, Member for Liverpool and Liverpool City Councillor have welcomed a decision to block a proposal for high rise apartments at Woodward Park.

On 16 August 2023, the Strategic Planning Panel of the Sydney Western City voted unanimously to block the proposed rezoning of Woodward Park, citing there is no strategic merit.

Earlier this year, Canterbury Leagues Club chose to bypass the local council and apply for NSW Planning Department approval for a multimillion-dollar hotel, residential and commercial development at the location.

This comes after Liverpool Council voted unanimously to not support the planning proposal and not refer it to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment for determination in March last year.

“Woodward Park is one of the few remaining large public open spaces in Liverpool.” Mr Hagarty said.

“It is a unique public space that is close to the Liverpool CBD and has served the community for centuries. Once it’s lost to high rise apartments it’s lost forever.

“I welcome the decision to reject the rezoning. The preservation of our open space for public amenity should be the priority.” Mr Hagarty said.

Ms Kaliyanda also supported the panel's decision. “People living in the Liverpool CBD deserve to access open and green spaces close to where they live.”

“COVID showed us just how much our community really needs such public spaces in close proximity. I’m glad to see that common sense prevailed to ensure that we do not put the benefit of a few over the community good” she said.

MEDIA CONTACT (Nathan Hagarty): NICHOLAS PETKOVIC 0418 273 258

MEDIA CONTACT (Charishma Kaliyanda): JOEL AITCHISON 9602 0040