Investigations into a new SES facility at Callan Park are commencing following the passage of the Minns Labor Government's Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026.
The Inner West Council and SES have been looking for a new Inner West site for the SES, and while Callan Park has ample empty buildings to offer, strict regulations and needless red tape have previously prevented it being an option.
The updated Act has changed that, enabling the Minns Labor Government, Inner West Council and NSW SES to work together to identify a suitable site at Callan Park with vehicle bays, training and administration facilities and volunteer amenities.
The recent reforms will also help improve services and facilities for park users and support long term financial sustainability of Greater Sydney Parklands, so our city's green spaces are protected and supported for generations to come.
The NSW SES plays a vital role in keeping our community safe during storms, floods and other emergencies. Currently, Inner West SES operations are currently split across two locations. A new facility at Callan Park would bring volunteers together under one roof, providing a secure, modern and permanent base to support their critical work for years to come.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"Communities turn to the SES in their darkest hours, so they need and deserve more high-quality facilities within the Inner West to support their operations.
"This could be achieved at Callan Park without losing green space. In fact, the demolition of unused, vandalised and condemned buildings will result in an increase in parkland available to the public even if the SES moves in.
"We've cut the red tape standing in the way of this and other commonsense solutions for wider community benefit along with other great activations that enable the parklands to live up to their full potential."
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"Across NSW the Minns Labor Government is supporting our emergency services to meet the challenges of the future in their work to help our communities when they are in need.
"Local residents can see the frontline response on the ground, but a great deal of work also goes into ensuring volunteers have the support and premises they need to activate in a crisis.
"This Bill opens up an opportunity for the Inner West Council to provide a suitable facility for the SES at Callan Park."
Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen:
"The Ashfield-Leichhardt SES Unit deserves a fit-for-purpose facility with the space and facilities required to support our community when they need it most.
"Giving these historic buildings at Callan Park a new purpose as an SES headquarters is exactly the kind of community-focused revitalisation we want to see, bringing new life to the precinct while supporting a service that gives so much back to the Inner West."
Labor Candidate for Balmain Philippa Scott said:
"It is just common sense to look at the empty and unused buildings in Callan Park for a new home base for the SES.
"Projects like this are a sign of a better future that is building for Callan Park enabled thanks to recent parklands reforms led by the Minns Labor Government."
Background
- The Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026 will improve services and facilities for park users and support long term financial sustainability of Greater Sydney Parklands, so our city's green spaces are protected and supported for generations to come.
- The Callan Park Plan of Management 2026-2036 outlines how the park's 61 hectares will be revitalised to better serve the growing Inner West community, while celebrating and protecting the site's historic significance as one of Sydney's earliest mental health facilities.
- The Inner West population expected to reach 415,000 by 2041 and Callan Park attracts more than 2.4 million visitors each year.
- Greater Sydney Parklands manages 38 of the 61 hectares of the park. NSW Health manages the remaining areas.
