Transforming the Cooks, our backyard river, into the best urban river in the world.
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The Case for Better Connectivity Along The River

As Sydney’s population continues to grow, the river will play an increasingly vital role as a backyard to hundreds of thousands of people. The parks and paths along the waterway are well-loved. The challenge is to make it easier and safer to get to these important ‘green and blue’ public spaces. 

Better Connections in Bayside

On 31 July, a pedestrian was struck by a car whilst waiting at the pedestrian island on Princess Highway at Wolli Creek. This is not the first time pedestrians have been injured or killed by vehicles in this area. For the past decade, Wolli Creek residents and Bayside Councillors have called for a safer way to connect residents in the high density Wolli Creek development, to the adjacent Cahill Park. In response, residents and Councillors have pleaded with the NSW government to do something about the lack of connectivity in the area. 

There have been several proposals for how to increase connectivity in this area over the years. In 2024, University of Sydney Transport Researcher, David Levinson proposed a ‘Outfall Trail,’ that would use Sydney Water infrastructure to create connected network. In 2025, council’s representative on the Alliance, Clr Peter Strong, raised a notice of motion to investigate an underpass along the river. Council’s report deemed ‘too costly and too difficult’ at the time.

There’s an opportunity to revive the proposal and have the conversation with the NSW Transport. At their August meeting, Bayside Council voted to write to the NSW Minister for Roads, the Minister for Transport and Transport for NSW, seeking a clear timeframe for the completion of the safety review and implementation of immediate pedestrian safety measures. Read the minutes here (pg 21).

Three Bridges in Canterbury Bankstown

Examples of improved connectivity can be found in Canterbury Bankstown Council’s LGA, where three bridges over the river are slated for upgrades.

Karool Avenue Bridge

The Karool Avenue footbridge runs from Karool Avenue, Earlwood to Sugar House Road, Hurlstone Park. It is an important local connection across the Cooks River, linking residents and visitors to surrounding neighbourhoods, schools, parks and community facilities. 

The design for the Karool Avenue Bridge in Hurlstone Park was open for community feedback until 12 September 2026. More info on that proposal here. 

Charles Street Bridge 

This critical river crossing is identified as part of the Sydney Metro Southwest Active Transport Link (Now known as the ‘MetroWay‘). Funding has just been announced for the Charles Street Street Bridge at Canterbury, connecting the shared path to Tasker Park and the new Aquatic Centre. $3.8 million has been awarded for this project the Get NSW Active Program. 

Brighton Avenue- Richardsons Crescent Bridge 

A proposal for a separated pedestrian and cycling bridge between Mackey Park and Gough Whitlam Park has been proposed and designed. The design is in Canterbury Bankstown Council’s draft 2027-28 capital works program, subject to confirmation of costs and funding being secured. Stay tuned for more info on this design!

When planning for better connectivity, it’s important to look beyond Council boundaries and see the catchment as larger green corridor (or GreenWay), stretching from Southwest suburbs of Yagoona and Greenacre, to Kyeemagh at Gamay Botany Bay. We encourage councils within the catchment to take this wider approach and consider how residents and visitors use public spaces.

The Blue Green Grid & the Catchment Masterplan

The Blue Green Grid idea has been around for many years. It is generally used to refer to an interconnected network of open public spaces, bushland and waterways.  In July, the NSW Government announced the establishment of a Blue Green Grid Committee to guide the strategic expansion of Sydney’s public open space and parklands network.

Several Alliance members, notably Inner West Council, even have a Blue Green Grid Strategy, which identify opportunities for interconnected public space, particularly along waterways in their LGA. Due to funding and governance constraints, planning for this network often stops at the LGA boundary. Recent proposals like the GreenWay and the MetroWay, both of which cross the Inner West and Canterbury Bankstown LGA’s, provide proof of concept that urban waterways can provide invaluable public space and access. As an Alliance, we will continue to advocate for connectivity to the waterways within the Cooks River Catchment.

Connectivity is a key focus of the forthcoming Cooks River Catchment Masterplan. The Cooks River Catchment Master Plan is not ‘just another plan’ for the river. It will bring together all of the plans and proposals across the catchment under a new, unified vision. We’re working with McGregor Coxall on a study of the entire catchment, to identify opportunities for increased connectivity and activation throughout the catchment. The Masterplan is anticipated in early 2027. For more information, visit ourbackyardriver.com.au. 

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