Berrys Bay - interactive portal | Transport for NSW

Final master plan overview

The vision for Berrys Bay master plan is the evolution of a working waterfront into foreshore parklands and public spaces. It will complete the missing link in foreshore access on the Peninsula and reconnect the community and visitors to the Bay’s histories, foreshore lands, and waters.

Transport for NSW (Transport) has prepared the final landscape master plan for Berrys Bay. The Berrys Bay master plan has been shaped by the community and provides a vision to transform the former industrial land of Berrys Bay into usable public open space. The NSW Government is committed to improving public open space and plans to deliver a new foreshore park at Berrys Bay, much earlier than planned, for the benefit of the local community.

What’s happening

In December 2022, Transport awarded the second and final stage of the Western Harbour Tunnel project to Acciona Construction Australia, who will be using Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) to construct a section of the tunnels under Sydney Harbour, which brings significant benefits for the local community.

The use of this methodology means that the temporary construction site at Berrys Bay is no longer required for the project, allowing the delivery of a new foreshore park much earlier than planned for the benefit of the local community.

About the master plan

The master plan provides a visual representation for the area and includes a high-level conceptual layout with proposed functional uses. This will be used along with the site analysis and design principles to guide the detailed design of Berrys Bay.

The new open space at Berrys Bay seeks to complement the adjoining public spaces and emphasise community access to the Harbour’s foreshore. The master plan provides a framework for the future adaptive reuse of heritage buildings that will create a truly unique and community-oriented waterfront precinct.

Community engagement

Transport has worked closely with community and stakeholder groups throughout the development of the master plan. Between 30 September and 23 October 2022, Transport sought feedback from the public about the draft master plan and vision developed for Berrys Bay.

Participants placed high value on open space for passive and informal recreation. The community supported the vision to see Berrys Bay made into an accessible public space that provides broader community benefit and recreation opportunities.

The preferred features of the draft master plan from the survey respondents, in order of preference, were:

Picnic areas with seatings, BBQs and shade
Tidal steps to provide connection to water
Continuous and accessible foreshore path
Open space for informal recreation

Transport prepared a Submissions Report to document the community submissions and survey responses.

Submissions report

Changes to the master plan

Taking into consideration the feedback received during consultation on the draft master plan, the following key design changes were adopted:

Incorporation of more natural, sustainable and locally responsive ground finishes including crushed sandstone
Additional trees, vegetation and seating to increase habitat and create shaded and pleasant places for recreation
Removal of the circular path with a more organic shaped pathway to increase the area of usable open space
Indication of potential location for kayak and small watercraft storage
Reconfiguration of the jetty in front of Woodley’s Shed to increase berthing opportunities whilst ensuring generous pedestrian movement
Further retention of slipways to facilitate increased berths for kayak and small watercraft.

Click below to view a diagram showing the master plan changes from community and Community Stakeholder Working Group consultation feedback

Master plan changes diagram

Berrys Bay consists of three distinct areas:

The former BP Site has distinctive landscape features as a result of its former industrial use. Reclaimed foreshore, sandstone cuttings, large areas of mostly flat open space and heritage items create a unique character for this precinct.

Views across the Bay to the Harbour Bridge and Balls Head dominate the foreshore. The site is proposed to become an expanse of recreational space that reveals the story of the site’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage. A generous foreshore path is proposed to connect the parkland with the water’s edge and the adjoining Carradah Park, to create seamless and accessible connections.

Adjoining the path and the foreshore, areas for seating have been located to capture the expansive harbour and peninsula views. Tiered sandstone steps are proposed along the existing seawall to provide cool, informal seating and a connection to the water. Behind the existing bund wall, a new adventure youth playground is proposed to provide a place of activity and social interaction.

Community places

Open space for informal recreation
Lighting along path for safe use at night
Areas for gathering and potential events
The ‘Bund’ Adventure Play Precinct to cater for all ages and abilities with an emphasis on youth recreational needs
Foreshore dwelling area in crushed sandstone with seating and shade trees to capture views of the harbour and the adjoining Balls Head Reserve
Tidal steps to provide seating and connection to water
Waterfront plaza beind the existing sea wall, trees and seating in crushed sandstone

Public and connected

Boardwalk and stair access to provide connection to Balls Head Road and Coal Loader
Continuous and accessible foreshore access to connect the three open space precincts. Path also required for maintenance access
Accessible parking (4 x DDA compliant spaces)

Layers of history

Heritage slipways retained for small boat berthing
Bund wall to be retained with break to facilitate access. Sandstone to be reused in playground
Existing industrial heritage relics to be retained as follies in the landscape and explained using interpretative signage
Interpretation of the original shoreline
Existing 'Beach Club' retained

Healing Country

Yarning circle to provide a harmonious and collaborative space to promote social interaction and story telling
Interpreting relevant Aboriginal stories in the playground

Environmental repair

Creating wet gardens to enhance habitat potential and to increase water quality of stormwater runoff

Next – Precinct 2

Back to categories

The Woodley's Boatyard precinct sits between the former BP Site and the Quarantine Boat Depot. The area is steep along its western boundary with a flat foreshore area which has been expanded through land reclamation during its former industrial use.

The Boatyard is set to become a premiere harbour side community space. Taking advantage of the existing level change and incredible harbour views, a feature amphitheatre that connects into an accessible walkway is proposed to provide seating and a memorable entry into the parklands from the end of Balls Head Road.

Centre stage, a plaza area is proposed to create a flexible space for gathering and socialising. Adjoining the retained Woodley's Shed building, a new jetty and boardwalk is proposed to provide continuous foreshore access to Council Beach and beyond. The retained heritage slipways will allow for small watercraft launching and acknowledge the site’s former use.

Community places

Public jetty provides access to foreshore for water-based activities
Waterfront plaza behind existing sea wall
Potential location for small boat storage facilities
Location of kayak rack storage

Public and connected

New entry ramp and steps in landscaped amphitheatre to provide DDA compliant access and an area for seating focussed on the spectacular view
Continuous and accessible foreshore access to connect the three open space precincts. Path also required for maintenance access
Accessible parking (4 x DDA compliant spaces)
Car parking area (approx. 12 spaces) to be used to facilitate use of the open space
Key entry and lookout located to capture Harbour views
Existing controlled vehicle access between Balls Head Road and water’s edge retained

Layers of history

Retain Woodley’s Boatyard and Administration Building
Interpretation of the original shoreline
Heritage slipways retained for small boat berthing

Healing Country

Gathering space for Welcome to Country events

Environmental repair

Additional planting to extend bushland vegetation. Refer to page 45 of master plan for proposed planting palette.

Next – Precinct 3

Back to categories

The Quarantine Boat Depot is bordered by Balls Head Reserve on its western and southern boundaries. Access to the reserve walking tracks can be found close to these boundaries. From the foreshore, views across the bay to the other site precincts are expansive with the north Sydney skyline visible beyond.

Due to being privately leased until recently, the grounds have been well kept, albeit a departure from the natural landscape. The existing cottages provide opportunity to be adaptively re-used in the future. The well-maintained former Quarantine station will be made available for public use and will provide additional open space along the foreshore and a connection into the adjoining Balls Head Reserve.

This area is proposed to be made more accessible by the integration of boardwalked paths and steps that will enhance existing connections to Council Beach and the southern end of the retained Woodley’s Shed.

Community places

Open space for informal recreation
Improved access to Council Beach subject to Council agreement

Public and connected

Connection to Balls Head Reserve
Raised walkway and steps to provide connection between Woodley’s Boat Yard and the Quarantine Boat Depot precincts

Layers of history

Retain Quarantine Boat Depot heritage structures

Environmental repair

Additional planting to extend bushland vegetation. Refer to page 45 of master plan for proposed planting palette.

Back to categories

What’s happening

About the master plan

Community engagement

Changes to the master plan

Former BP site

Community places

Public and connected

Layers of history

Healing Country

Environmental repair

Woodley's Boatyard

Community places

Public and connected

Layers of history

Healing Country

Environmental repair

Quarantine Boat Depot

Community places

Public and connected

Layers of history

Environmental repair

Survey

Survey

What’s happening

About the master plan

Community engagement

Changes to the master plan

Former BP site

Woodley’s Boatyard

Quarantine Boat Depot

Community places

Public and connected

Layers of history

Healing Country

Environmental repair

Community places

Public and connected

Layers of history

Healing Country

Environmental repair

Community places

Public and connected

Layers of history

Environmental repair

Survey

Artist impression - Former BP site

Artist impression - Balls Head Road

Artist's impression of the view from Woodley's Boatyard

Sandgrunds park

Balmoral stairs

Barangaroo Headland Park

Contact the project team

Missing information

Error during submission

Submission received