Challenge

The Henley Precinct is located along the Parramatta River with abundant natural bushland and has been a key site for a range of communal and recreational uses for local and neighbouring residents of Hunters Hill since 1920.

The current Henley Precinct feels like four distinct parks, with little relationship or connection between them. The site is steep and varies between unattractive and unplanned car parking spaces to gorgeous harbour beaches. Some community buildings exist on site that are well used but tired and needing significant upgrades. 

Response

Our response was developed through a series of lively engagement workshops with the Hunters Hill community. We also had the pleasure of collaborating with Gaimaragal Group (Susan Moylan Coombs) to make sure we could incorporate some indigenous thinking into our approach.

The proposed precinct plan proposes wild play structures, outdoor exercise, sheltered barbeques, new amenities and clubhouse with terraced spectator seating, new bushland and foreshore walks and a memorial wall to commemorate local people. To connect all these activities, we improved existing parking spaces and provision of accessible paths, stairs, wayfinding, interpretative signage and lighting.