Bayside Council's Barton Park in Banksia has been named a finalist in the prestigious Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award, to be announced on Saturday 29 November 2025.
The 2025 Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award forms part of the NSW/ACT Community Achievement Awards, recognising the outstanding work councils undertake in improving Crown land for public benefit.
Crown reserves are public land set aside on behalf of the community for a wide range of purposes, including environmental and heritage protection, recreation and sport, open space, community halls, special events and government services.
This nomination builds upon Council's work to promote sustainable best practice across our business community and highlights the real difference Council makes to our communities through effective management of Crown land reserves.
The Barton Park precinct upgrade was a $51,700 million transformation that turned a former landfill site in the heart of Bayside into a world-class, state-of-the art sporting and recreational facility for Bayside's growing population to enjoy.
The project features new natural turf sporting fields, a new state-of-the-art facility with a 450-seat spectator grandstand, two multi-use courts suitable for basketball, futsal and handball, four tennis courts, new amenities, improved road access and parking.
Council partnered closely with ecologists and environmental specialists to incorporate design features that protect local biodiversity, ensure the ongoing protection of the natural habitat and environmental preservation of the area that is home to the endangered Green and Golden Bell frog.
Barton Park is more than just a sports upgrade. It is a transformative project that has revitalised the area and set a new standard for sustainable urban development.
The project was supported by $18 million in NSW Government funding.
