In September 2015, Council determined Rushcutters Bay Park as the site for a youth recreation area. Shortly after we held the first public exhibition of the concept plans. In response to community feedback, Council resolved to not progress with this initial concept and instead to develop revised plans for an alternative location within the park.

In February 2018, Council approved a new location for the youth recreation area in Rushcutters Bay Park and in July/August 2018 new concept plans were put on public exhibition.

This revised plan provides convenient options for local kids to have fun and places for parents, carers and park users to meet, relax and enjoy the area. The amended concept plans include:

• a new location away from the harbour foreshore and below the embankment of New South Head Road to minimise noise and retain harbour views
• a basketball practice area and a series of skate and scooter elements designed for 8-14 year olds
• landscaping
• improved seating, shade shelter, bike racks, a water bubbler and waste bins.

The plans do not include floodlighting and no trees will be removed.

On 15 October 2018, Council endorsed the Youth Recreation Area at Rushcutters Bay Park concept plan as exhibited, allowing for amendments arising during the detailed design process.

On 25 January 2019, the Heritage Council of NSW advised Council that it will be assessing the heritage significance for the entire Rushcutters Bay Park. An Interim Heritage Order for Rushcutters Bay Park was gazetted.

In June 2020 Rushcutters Bay Park was listed as a heritage item on the State Heritage Register (SHR).

On 1 August 2022 at the Finance Community & Services Committee Meeting, Council considered a report and subsequent to this meeting, at the Council Meeting on 22 August 2022 Council resolved as follows:

THAT Council:

A. Notes the further progress of the Youth Recreation Area at Rushcutters Bay Park, which includes the preparation of a Conservation Management Strategy for the State Heritage Listed site and a Heritage Impact Statement for the project.

B. Note the minor changes of the design to the Youth Recreation Area recommended by GML Heritage that address heritage impact on the site.

C. Proceed to submit an application for approval under Section 60 of the Heritage Act 1977 (Heritage Act) to undertake the project.

D. Continue with the preparation of the Review of Environmental Factors under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 which would include an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Assessment, if Heritage approval is granted.

Read the meeting agenda and minutes.

Following advice from Heritage NSW, Council staff presented the proposal to the Heritage Council of NSW via a pre development application. The Heritage Council noted that a Section 60 (S60) application was intended to be submitted for the project to Heritage NSW and that a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) process be implemented including an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage assessment be undertaken.

Under the Heritage Act 1977, an organisation must apply for approval for works or activities that may impact heritage listed items, such as Rushcutters Bay Park, before undertaking the works. This is known as a Section 60 application.

In July 2025, Council submitted a Section 60 (S60) application to the Heritage Council of NSW to undertake the Youth Recreation Facility. The Review of Environmental Factors and the Aboriginal Heritage Values assessment was submitted as part of the S60 application.

The Heritage Council of NSW will advertise the S60 application seeking submissions on the heritage implications of the project on the site. The exhibition will commence on 23 July 2025 for 21 days. Submissions can be made until 5pm on 13 August 2025 via:

• NSW Heritage Management System: www.hms.heritage.nsw.gov.au/App/PublicSubmission
• Email to: heritagemailbox@environment.nsw.gov.au
• Post to: Heritage Council of NSW, Locked Bag 5020, Parramatta 2124.

Following the public exhibition period, the Heritage Council of NSW will advise Woollahra Council of the outcome.

Find out more about the background of this project under the Timeline section of this page and view the relevant documentation in the Important Links and Document Library section of this page.

The Rushcutters Bay Youth Recreation Area concept plan includes:

• a junior scooter and skate facility, which is designed to cater for the 8-14 age group
• mini basketball court
• shade shelter
• seats
• rubbish bin
• drinking fountain
• landscaping.

View concept images and a concept video below.

We exhibited the concept plans for the Rushcutters Bay Youth Recreation Facility for feedback from 25 July - 31 August 2018. We received a range of feedback including both for and against the project. We had 601 responses to our online survey. When asked if they were supportive of the new design and location of the Youth Recreation Area 57.9% said yes to both and another 9% agreed with either the design or the location and 32.9% did not support either.

We also received signed petitions both for and against the project with the petition in favour of the project receiving more signatures.

Read the details of what we heard from the community in this report.

As part of our application to Heritage NSW to undertake the project, Council prepared a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage assessment for the project.

Read the Review of Environmental Factors for the project here.

Read the Review of Environmental Factors Determination 10 June 2025 here.

Read the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage assessment here. here.

Council submitted an application to The Heritage Council of NSW for determination in July 2025.

Under the Heritage Act 1977, an organisation must apply for approval for works or activities that may impact heritage listed items, such as Rushcutters Bay Park, before undertaking the works. This is known as a Section 60 application.

The Heritage Council of NSW advised Woollahra Council that its Section 60 application for the Rushcutters Bay Park Youth Recreation Facility should include a Review of Environmental Factors and an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage assessment.

In July 2025, Council submitted a Section 60 application to undertake the Rushcutters Bay Park Youth Recreation Facility which included a Review of Environmental Factors and an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage assessment.

The Heritage Council of NSW advertised the Section 60 application seeking submissions on the heritage implications of the project on the site.

The public exhibition period ran from 23 July until 5pm on 20 August 2025. The Heritage Council of NSW will advise Woollahra Council of the outcome.

You can view Council's section 60 application supporting documents under "important links" and "document library" on this page.