Riverwood

A precinct that prioritises views to Salt Pan Creek Reserve and features:

• narrow streets with lower scale apartments (to a maximum height of 4 storeys)
• rooftop gardens and communal spaces on lower levels
• apartment buildings on the edge of Salt Pan Creek Reserve that are strongly connected to open space
• local pocket parks.

An urban precinct that extends the Riverwood town centre to within 800 m of Riverwood train station and features:

• 3 taller buildings (up to 12 storeys), including retail and commercial spaces
• additional apartment buildings of 3 to 6 storeys
• a landscaped community ‘greenway’ along Truman Avenue, featuring play areas, seats and gathering areas
• new parks and community facilities.

We will deliver 5 ha of open space as part of the renewal, including 6 new parks.

Our vision is that all residents in the renewed estate will be within 200 m of open space and won’t have to cross more than one road to get there.

Some key features of the parks:

• Roosevelt Park: A 1-ha park at the heart of the estate that could also serve the wider Riverwood community. The large central lawn could include an informal sports field, kiosks, gym equipment, and several play and seated areas.
• community garden park: A new community lawn next to the existing community garden that includes more seating areas.
• community park: A local park that could provide a community garden (similar to Karne Street Reserve), picnic lawn and shaded areas for social gatherings.
• civic plaza: A space with sports courts and informal seating, providing opportunities for weekend markets and art installations.
• community greenway: A pedestrian promenade (0.5 ha) designed with children and play in mind that runs along Truman Avenue to connect Riverwood Public School to Roosevelt Park and Salt Pan Creek. The linear park space could also provide small lawn areas, planted pods and seated gathering pods for supervising parents to meet and chat.
• Salt Pan view: An open space leading into Salt Pan Creek Reserve that would also open views within the estate and look out to Salt Pan Creek.

Changes to existing local roads could better connect residents to parks, shops and public transport. The proposed street network will encourage walking and cycling, and provide better links to Riverwood Public School.

Changes to local roads could include:

• transforming Roosevelt Avenue into a tree-lined boulevard that is 30 m wide, with more space for cars, and generous footpaths for pedestrians and cyclists
• widening Kentucky Street, Union Street and Truman Avenue to improve traffic flow
• upgrading the intersections on Belmore Road at Roosevelt Avenue and Washington Avenue to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow
• building new local roads to improve connectivity within Riverwood Estate
• laying new cycle and pedestrian pathways that better connect with existing pathways
• changing the bus route so all residents are within 200 m of a bus stop
• building underground car parks within buildings, and providing car parking on all streets, except for laneways.

Riverwood’s most important feature is its people. The Riverwood Estate renewal could be designed to support an integrated community that is safer, more attractive and connected to its past.

In delivering the project, we will aim to:

• ensure locally connected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard
• provide opportunities for collaboration and co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• celebrate Aboriginal culture and language by naming locations and streets in local language, in collaboration with the community and a community-endorsed language expert.

The development could include up to 4,800 m2 of floor space for local shops, cafes and services. These will be well lit to promote safety.

The draft master plan also includes space for a new 60-place childcare centre, which will be built by a private developer and operated by a childcare provider.