Save Lyne Park foreshore: construction starts May 2023.

Lyne Park on Rose Bay's harbour foreshore is greatly valued for its spectacular views and recreational opportunities. 

It is unique to Sydney Harbour as it is the door to the much bigger playground of the pristine waters of Rose Bay freely available to residents and visitors who want to try and participate in water sports, passive or active.

Help us stop the Woollahra Council's proposed playground development from threatening public access to the family-friendly boat ramp leading to the water by signing the petition today.

Why are we concerned about the playground upgrade?

While the idea of upgrading Lyne Park's playground is widely embraced, it is the proximity to the eastern boat ramp that raises significant concerns. 

The reduction of open grass space around this ramp has been gradually reduced by playground expansions over the last 20 years and it is now a fraction of what it was or is normal in other parks, and it is now being reduced further.

It is time to say enough is enough and explore alternative solutions that connect the open spaces of the park for all residents to enjoy and increase its utility rather than locking water sports activities away into a cramped, inaccessible corner of the park. 

There are less utilised areas of Lyne Park that could be better maximised by connecting the open spaces, yet the Council is proceeding without adequately addressing user safety, set up space, congestion in the already limited space, or the preservation of the harbour foreshore's natural beauty.

At present, the grassy area near the eastern boat ramp provides a small but safe area for people to set up and launch their equipment, such as dinghies, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and windsurfers, without any interference from vehicles or motorboats. 

Where is the public boat ramp?

Unfortunately, not many people know that Lyne Park has two public boat ramps. On the west side, there is the Council publicised boat ramp with vehicle access and used mainly for launching power boats and on the east side there is one that is used for water sports, including windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, and swimming, as it has no vehicle access so is safe.

The Council appears to keep this facility concealed from the general public. With the absence of signage and no mention on its website, it's unclear how the wider public would become aware of it. In contrast, other councils, such as the Northern Beaches Council, actively promote their public ramps and free water sports facilities, making them accessible and known to all.

Set-up areas for water sports need to be soft or grassy, open grass is perfect.  However, the Council over the last 20 years has continually reduced the available grassy open area around this east side ramp with a fenced playground and zip line forcing many local water sports enthusiasts, residents, children, and those who know about it, to go elsewhere. 

The Council is now on track to further reduce this small area, which is already less than 2% of the park, so it can make a Regional Playground including the addition of another zip line.

The NSW government and the council seem to have conflicting interests, as the state funded improvements for the ramp's safety and accessibility in 2019, while the council's plan now restricts the public's ability to use it. 

The ideal upgrade should enhance and support this unique recreational space without compromising it. Any improvements to the eastern side of Lyne Park must prioritise enhancing the foreshore and promoting water-dependent activities, an intrinsic aspect of Australian culture. 

The Woollahra Council stands on the brink of a remarkable opportunity if they approach the Lyne Park playground upgrade with foresight and a broader vision. By supporting and enhancing this unique recreational space, the Council has the potential to transform Lyne Park into an unparalleled hub of community activity that caters to both water-based and land-based activities.

Focusing on the bigger picture, the Council can establish Rose Bay as a must-see destination for a range of watersport enthusiasts and create a welcoming space for casual gatherings and a safe environment for children to play. In doing so, the Council can maximise the park's contribution to the health and well-being of the community. 

We urge the Council to reconsider its decision and explore alternative solutions that benefit the whole community. For example, redesigning the playground back from, rather than along, the foreshore and having a corridor connecting the open spaces to the foreshore. 

With the ramp providing a safe and convenient multi-sport water facility, it's time for the Council to step up and 

• Encourage more people to participate in active or passive water sports.
• Connect the open spaces of the park to maximise its utility.
• Redesign the Regional Playground around these criteria as part of the recommended Master Plan for Lyne Park.

Instead, the Council’s proposed Lyne Park Playground Renewal Project reduces the public's possible access to this amenity, which most don’t even know about, leaving thousands of community members missing out on one of the jewels of Rose Bay and Sydney Harbour. 

How did we get here?

For the past 20 years, the Woollahra Council has been systematically reducing public access to the Rose Bay foreshore, prioritising the interests of a few over the needs of the community as a whole. In the 1990s trees were planted creating a physical barrier that cut off the open grassed area on the northeast corner from the rest of the park. 

The expansion and fencing of the playground have only compounded the problem, leaving little space for the wider community to enjoy access to the water. This disregard for their duties to comply with the Crown Lands Plan of Management for Lyne Park, designed to enhance and protect the foreshore, is unacceptable and must be challenged.

What has the community recently done to prevent this?

Our community-led group has been advocating for the protection and enhancement of Lyne Park foreshore, offering to contribute $50,000 to help fund a redesign. 

We provided feedback during the public consultation period, of which 75% of community feedback was negative, and yet, our voices have been ignored.

Now, we urgently need your help to save the Lyne Park foreshore from further destruction.

What is at stake?

The Lyne Park foreshore is a vital natural resource for the Australian community, economy, society, culture, and future generations. The proposed fenced-in development goes against the public interest in maintaining vital greenspace and safe access to the foreshore. 

Cutting off more access to Lyne Park foreshore and the ramp will limit the community’s ability to enjoy and utilise the natural resource of Sydney Harbour. The foreshore provides opportunities for a variety of recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, fishing, and sailing, which contribute to the physical and mental well-being of residents. 

The loss of access to the foreshore would also negatively impact the community's sense of place and spirit, and discourage tourism that impacts local businesses that rely on visitors who come to enjoy the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour from this unique vantage point.

The development will also limit Sydney’s ability to host sporting events that showcase our talented athletes on an international platform, negatively impacting New South Wales’ economy and undermining our reputation as a vibrant city that offers access to a diverse range of outdoor activities for all to enjoy.

Lyne Park’s east ramp is a cornerstone of the international water sports community and a vital pipeline for young athletes. It is the only location that can host major sailing dinghy regattas in New South Wales, and its importance to the local economy cannot be overstated.

The further loss of any access to Lyne Park would deal a significant blow to Australia's young athletes, who rely on the venue to develop their skills and showcase their talents to the world.

Why is now the time to act?

With construction scheduled to begin in May 2023, now is the time to act to preserve public access to the foreshore on public land. 

Join our community-led campaign to encourage Council to:

• Stop, pause, and think about the new development at Lyne Park before the planned construction in 2023.
• Reassess the development and conduct an independent review of the stakeholders that use the park.
• Restore a grass and tree-lined harbour foreshore vista so that it can be enjoyed for passive and active recreation that benefits the whole community.
• Encourage and better enable the public to use the water sports ramp to access the harbour by publicising it.

What are other people saying?

“The subject space is immediately west of the new extension to the launching facilities and, if re-purposed, would severely curtail the effective use of the ramp, especially given the existing constraints of the foreshore walking path.” 

Iain Murray AM, Olympian

“In various meetings and conversations I have had on this matter, alternative options were discussed that would not change the scale of the Playground Renewal”

 Allegra Spender - Federal MP for Wentworth 

We need your help!

Now is the time for our community to come together and take action to preserve our rights to access public amenities safely. It's time to unite our voices and demand that our elected officials listen to our concerns and take immediate action to protect the Lyne Park foreshore. 

Sign our petition today to urge the Council to reconsider this decision and work towards finding a mutually beneficial solution that preserves both the greenspace and playground for the benefit of our community. Together, we can make a difference and save the Lyne Park foreshore for future generations.

Our thoughts on the Council's proposed strategies in relation to Lyne Park: 

We encourage the community to view and leave feedback on the Council's recreational strategies that will guide how they manage open spaces in the years to come.

More information can be found here and our thoughts below: 

• The Recreation Strategy rightfully acknowledges the immense popularity and significance of recreational activities on the harbour and foreshore, particularly in comparison to playgrounds. Despite this recognition, however, the Strategy fails to recommend the promotion of these activities. This is a missed opportunity to highlight the growing popularity of unstructured water sports, which were observed to be increasingly popular amongst individuals participating in activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
• As such, it is essential to promote these water-based recreational activities as valuable and accessible public amenities for the community. Not only do these activities contribute to the physical and mental well-being of individuals, but they also encourage a sense of community and connection with our natural environment.
• The Recreation Strategy recognises the need for better signage and this should include non-vehicle ramps for non-motorised crafts. These ramps, especially the new public ramp adjacent to the Woollahra Sailing Club should have signage. By incorporating signage that supports these activities, we can enhance the vibrancy of our public spaces and create more opportunities for people to connect and engage with the world around them.
• In previous consultations, the Council received feedback indicating that the public was dissatisfied with the availability of low-cost or free physical activities to support a healthy lifestyle. To address this issue, the Council needs to publicise the available ramps and add clear signage, including on the website.
• The proposed Plans of Management for Crown Land Reserves no longer prioritise water sports that require water access. This is a misguided decision that fails to acknowledge the significant contribution these activities make to the community and local economy. It is important to remember that playgrounds, while valuable, do not require water access, and should not be prioritised over water sports.
• As we consider the use of our foreshore, it is essential that we recognise the significance of water access for traditional landowners, who have relied on fishing for generations. 
• The proposed expansion of the Lyne Park Playground onto the foreshore is concerning, as it will limit the open green spaces around the public ramp that many people use. This construction should be halted immediately to preserve the natural beauty and accessibility of this area.
• The Recreation Strategy recognises the importance of a Master Plan for Lyne Park and recommends it as a top priority. Before the construction of the playground, it is essential that this Master Plan is completed.
• The proposed expansion of the playground contradicts the existing Plan of Management, which aims to enhance the foreshore and promote sports that are dependent on water access. By completing the Master Plan before any further construction takes place, we can ensure that all developments align with the overarching vision for this public space.

To keep up to date with our activity or to learn more, join our Facebook group, follow us on Instagram or email us at SaveLyneParkForeshore@gmail.com.

We encourage the community to voice their thoughts and concerns by emailing the Council: records@woollahra.nsw.gov.au.