Project Update: Plans Now Open for Community Viewing and Feedback

Following Crown Land approval, we are pleased to share that the Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Master Plan and Draft Plan of Management are now available for public exhibition.

Please review these draft planning documents and share your feedback to help shape the future of these much-loved parks.

Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Master Plan

Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Plan of Management

What is a Master Plan?

A Master Plan is a long-term planning document that shows the vision for how Carss Bush Park and Todd Park will develop in the future. The Master Plan includes:

• Plans for walking paths and better connections throughout the parks
• Proposed playground upgrades
• Improvements to sports facilities and recreation areas
• Landscape design and environmental protection
• A staged plan for making improvements over time

What is a Plan of Management?

A Plan of Management sets how Council will manage, use, and maintain Community Land owned by Council or Crown and managed by Council. The Plan of Management includes:

• Land classifications under community land rules
• Goals and targets for managing the parks
• Guidelines for permitted activities and uses
• Rules for leases, licenses, and permits on the land
• Strategies for protecting environmental, cultural, and recreational values

Why Both Plans Matter

The new Master Plan and Plan of Management replace several older Plan of Management documents:

• Carss Bush Park & Todd Park Plan of Management 2004 - Kogarah Council,
• Carss Park Bowling Club Surrounding Parkland PoM Review 2008 – Landscape Australia Consultants,
• Carss Bush Park Landscape Master Plan 2011 - Knox & Partners Landscape Architects

The two plans work together: the Plan of Management explains how the spaces are used and managed, while the Master Plan shows the vision and future improvements that will make these parks even better for the community.

Native Title Work

Carss Bush Park and Todd Park are a combination of Council owned parcels known as ‘community land’ and State owned land called ‘Crown Reserve’.

The crown reserves addressed by the new plan of management are subject to native title requirements. Council has addressed these native title requirements as a concurrent process; and the future adoption of the Plan of Management will be valid having met the necessary sections of the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993.

This process will be finalised prior to the final adoption of the Plan of Management by the Minister for Lands and Property and Council.

Do these plans impact the Carss Park Pool project?

The Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Master Plan and Plan of Management is a separate project from the ongoing Carss Park Pool redevelopment. The NSW Office of Sport is leading this project and more information is available at the NSW Office of Sport website: Carss Park Pool | NSW Government

How did we get here?

Community feedback was captured in 2023 as part of the preliminary consultation to understand how the parks are used and what people wanted to see now and into the future.

This feedback is available in our Phase One Consultation report, which you can view here: Phase one Consultation Report.

This feedback guided our development of the plans, which also took into account factors such as environmental sustainability, legislative requirements, strategic priorities, heritage values, accessibility standards, and the long-term needs of the local government area.

This development took place across 2024, with Council approving the plans to be submitted to Crown Lands for review and approval in May 2025. Parts of Carss Bush Park are Crown Land, which means they are owned by the NSW State Government for public use, but under Council’s care, control and management.

Because of this, Council needed permission from Crown Lands before starting public exhibition. Crown Lands reviewed the draft Plans and approved for Council to commence the public exhibition on 16 October 2025.

Now we need to hear from you again as we move towards finalising these documents.

What changes are proposed?

The Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Master Plan and Draft Plan of Management work together to support future improvements and ongoing management of the parks. The Plan of Management proposes a number of actions we will use to measure and maintain the parks now and into the future. We have categorised these actions into the following key areas:

• Organised, informal, aquatic and water-based recreation
• Access
• Community and social activity
• Play fitness and exercise
• Built facilities for diverse community uses
• Heritage conversation and interpretation
• Natural habitats
• Tree canopy and heat island management
• Effectively and sustainably managed and maintained

You can read more about these actions in the Draft Plan of Management 10.0 Action Plan starting from page 85.

What is happening now?

The Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Master Plan and Draft Plan of Management are on public exhibition for 42 days, starting 5 November until 17 December.

Public exhibition is when we put draft documents, plans, policies, or proposals out for everyone to see and comment on for a set time. During this time, you can:

• look at all the documents
• understand what changes are taking place or being introduced
• write to us with your views

How to view the plans

The Master Plan and Plan of Management are publicly available on this page and can be viewed and downloaded using the links below:

• Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Master Plan
• Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Plan of Management

Hard copy versions are also available at:

• Georges River Civic Centre, corner of MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville
• Hurstville Library, corner Dora Street and, Queens Rd, Hurstville*
• Clive James Library and Service Centre, Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave St, Kogarah

* Please note Hurstville Library will temporarily close from 1 December 2025 to allow for essential fire system improvements, including a new sprinkler system. During the closure a pop-up library will be available at the Georges River Civic Centre. For more information on the closure, please view our Temporary Closure of Hurstville Library Public Notice.

A quick guide to understanding the Master Plan and Plan of Management

We encourage you to read through all of the Master Plan and Plan of Management. To understand how the Master Plan and Plan of Management work together, the following quick guide shows you how to learn more about each numbered point on the Master Plan.

Step 1 - Locate the numbered point on the Master Plan Step 2- Find the corresponding number on the Master Plan key for its name/definition

Step 3 - Find the same number in section 9 of the Plan of Management for more information

How can I provide feedback?

We have created a feedback form for you to provide your submission. You can complete the feedback form:

• online using the form on this page or by taking this link: Feedback on the Master Plan and Plan of Management | Your Say Georges River
• completing a hard copy form and returning it to us.

If you are completing a hard copy form, please quote Draft Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Master Plan and PoM, Submissions – SF25/7377 and return it to:

• email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
• post: PO Box 205, Hurstville BC NSW 1481
• in person at our Centres or Libraries

Join Us at a Community Pop-Up Event

Council will host a Community Drop-in session on:

• Saturday, 22 November 2025
• Location - Carss Bush Park, near the cafe and picnic shelter at the Carwar Avenue entrance
• Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

This is your opportunity to:

• View the plans, speak with Council staff, and project consultants
• Ask questions about the plans
• Understand what the proposed improvements mean for the parks
• Learn how to make a submission

We encourage families, park users, sports groups, and all community members to drop by.

Public Hearing

A public hearing on the proposed land categorisation changes will be held at Council offices:

• Tuesday, 25 November 2025
• Georges River Civic Centre, corner of MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville.
• Start Time: 6:00 pm
• Register Here

What Happens Next?

1. Public Exhibition Period: Community members view plans and make submissions (current stage)
2. Submissions Review and Plan Finalisation: Council staff will review all submissions and update the Plans based on feedback where appropriate
3. Council consideration: A report is prepared for Council consideration
4. Formal Adoption: Final Plan of Management requires approval from the Minister for Lands and Property and adoption by Council
5. Implementation: Once adopted, the Master Plan improvements will be delivered in stages as funding becomes available

Background

On 26 May 2025, Council considered a report and endorsed the Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Plan of Management and Master Plan for public exhibition. These plans include actions in relation to walking paths, playground upgrades, and better sports facilities. Before the Plans could be shared for formal consultation, Council needed permission from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (Crown Lands) (the "landowner") because parts of the park are Crown Land.

Crown land refers to land owned and managed by the State Government. It is often used for public purposes such as parks, national parks, and community facilities.

On 27 May, Council requested the Landowner to review the Carss Bush Park and Todd Park Draft Plan of Management and Master Plan and provide written consent in accordance with section 3.23(6) of the Crown Land Management Act 2016. Crown Lands reviewed the draft Plans and approved for Council to commence the public exhibition on 16 October 2025.

This new Plan of Management and Master Plan aims to consolidate and update multiple older Plans of Management into a single, comprehensive document, in line with the Local Government Act 1993 and Crown Land Management Act 2016. Community feedback is central to creating inclusive and future-focused plans for these important public spaces.

Over 200 community submissions were received during the preliminary consultation in late 2023, helping to shape the direction of these plans. This feedback is available in our Phase One Consultation report, which you can view here: Phase one Consultation Report.

Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
• TTY number: 133 677