Henson Park proposed redevelopment FAQs
At its Ordinary Council Meeting on 12 April 2022, Council resolved in part the following:
0422(1) Item 13 Henson Park Update Motion: (Drury/Scott)
“urgently establish an FAQ page on the Inner West Council website designed to answer key questions about the proposed redevelopment of the Park Grandstand and supporting amenities at Henson Park”
Henson Park Meeting Presentation - Tuesday 26 July 2022
Take a look at presentation here: Henson Park Meeting Presentation - 26 July 2022 (PDF 3.2MB)
Frequently asked questions
The following FAQs have been developed to provide answers to key community questions.
What development is planned at Henson Park?
On 20 July 2021, Council adopted a Plan of Management for Henson Park – The Plan of Management directs the future vision, planning, management and use of the Park as a whole. It includes the opportunity for leases and licenses. Importantly the Plan of Management includes an adopted Master Plan for the park which outlines required improvements of the parklands. This includes the refurbishment of the King George V grandstand and the addition of 2 changing rooms and support space at the rear of the grandstand.
What new facilities are planned to be built?
As per the Master Plan, the following works are currently being proposed to be built over the next two years:
- An upgrade to the existing grandstand to improve the participant experience
- Upgrade of the grandstand to current accessibility standards
- Two new changing rooms that are compliant with female facility guidelines
- Protection of the historic and heritage qualities of the grandstand, in particular the concrete structure, lettering and arched openings
- Reconfiguration of back of house areas and service areas
- A new multipurpose building including the kiosk, media and coaches’ facilities, new PA system, ventilation and lighting.
Why does Henson Park need to be upgraded?
Henson Park is an important recreational facility and one of only two elite sporting grounds in the Inner West Local Government area (the other being Leichhardt Oval). Henson Park is an iconic community sports ground, however its current facilities and surrounds are not compliant with current safety standards, nor are they inclusive for girls and women’s sport.
Inner West Council is committed to increasing access and opportunities for quality recreation experiences for diverse community members, including women and girls. The existing grandstand amenities at Henson are not accommodating to the increasing number of female sporting participants, people with a disability or the growing demands of the Inner West population. The upgrades outlined in the Henson Park Master plan will provide community facilities that will cater to all.
What are the community benefits from the proposed works?
The proposed works will include new and improved player amenities, including female friendly change rooms to enable greater participation of women’s sport at the ground. Accessibility and overall safety and compliance works will also be undertaken.
What were the cost of the recent upgrades to the Henson Park Sporting Ground?
The sporting ground at Henson Park has recently been upgraded to an elite standard for premier competition use following an investment by Council of $2.8m.
What impacts will the proposed development incur on Community Access?
Importantly, community access to the Henson Park will remain and be improved by the provision of better lighting, baby change facilities, dog waste bag dispensers, accessible toilets, and a facility which complies with current access and safety requirements. The historic qualities of the grandstand will also be maintained, ensuring Henson Park retains its unique community feel.
Will the Amy Street Pathway be closed or impacted by the Current Development Application for the Grandstand improvements?
The Amy Street footpath runs around the northern perimeter of Henson Park.
The pathway is not impacted by the Development Application (DA 2022 033). There are no impacts on the pathway from the grandstand and amenity improvements which are part of the DA, nor are there any plans to close this in the future. The only restrictions which will be in place is that the side gates which provide access to the sporting ground will be closed during ticketed AFL games. This however will not impede access for park users traversing between Amy Street and Centennial Street.
Amy Street Footpath
Has community engagement been undertaken?
In June 2019, community engagement was undertaken via the Inner West Council’s online platform and accompanied by two drop-in sessions at Henson Park. This was publicized on the Council’s website and communicated to the public by on-site signage, flyers to local residents, media and social media advertising, and emails to identified community groups
In October 2019, online engagement was undertaken between 21 October and 17 November, with 730 online hits and 192 comments provided. An extensive summary of the community engagement outcomes can be accessed via the following link: Community engagement outcomes summary
How many ticketed events can take place at Henson Park?
There will be no change to current community access arrangement, which allows the community to access Henson Park at any time of the day except when the venue is hosting a ticketed event. The community will be able to continue to enjoy the amenity of the park for the vast majority of the year. On days where the Jets or an AFLW team play, entry will be ticketed for the duration of the event, approximately 3 hours.
The 2021, the AFLW season was 10 rounds long, plus a 3-week final series, so it is estimated that approximately 8 AFLW games could be ticketed in the coming seasons. The Newtown Jets across various NSWRL competitions play up to 12 homes games and finals at Henson Park during the season.
Will Council cap the number of ticketed events at Henson Park?
Council has resolved to cap the number of ticketed events at Henson Park to a maximum of 20 game days per sporting code, per sporting season. This represents a total of only 120 match hours per year. This will allow for additional content to be planned for future years while still maintaining significant public access to the park for other recreational activities.
Are the proposed upgrades going to ban dog walking at Henson Park?
No – Dog walking will continue at Henson Park. In 2014, Council designated the area on the eastern side of Henson Park as available for leash-free dog exercise at any time of the day except when the venue is hosting a ticketed event. For rugby league and AFL games, dogs are permitted on a leash. For AFLW games, dogs are not permitted. Dog accessibility contributes to the unique community aspect of Henson Park and there will be no change to dog accessibility should any development occur.
When the venue is hosting a ticketed event, Marrickville Park, just 800m down the road also has a dog off-leash area.
There is already limited street parking in Marrickville. Will these upgrades impact on street parking availability?
The proposed upgrades will reduce the need for street parking, providing more options for local residents. Re-aligned onsite parking will accommodate 73 spaces, a nearly 50% increase on the approximately 50 cars that currently park on site. In addition, better use of parking on Marrickville High School land will reduce the impact on nearby residents.
Will the upgrades mean that there will be sporting teams using the park late at night?
Weekend games and mid-week training will not go later than currently occurs up to 10pm.
Henson is a fantastic community sporting ground. Why does it need corporate boxes?
There are no corporate boxes proposed in the Master Plan and the community feel of Henson Park will in fact be enhanced with refurbished and safer public amenities for the community to enjoy, including improved public toilets, lighting, walking surfaces, baby change facilities, dog waste bag dispenser, handrails and signage.
Henson Park is the home of the Newtown Jets. Why is the AFL involved?
Australian Football has a rich history at Henson Park, and the AFL are long term partners with the Jets when it comes to use of the ground. AFL has been played at the ground since the 1940s and are proud to be able to play at such a historic and valued sporting ground in the inner west community.
The AFL is very wealthy. Why don’t they build their own facility on their own land?
Henson Park has been the home of sport in the Inner West for 90 years, and the AFL has a long history at the ground. The AFL respect the history of the Newtown Jets RLFC and value the partnership between both organisations. Both codes are committed to honour that history while also providing an environment where men, women, boys and girls can enjoy playing football long into the future and contribute to the heritage of this iconic sportsground, just as previous generations have for almost a century.
AFL NSW ACT is a not for profit; State Sporting Organisation (SSO), their primary objective is to support volunteer community clubs and their programs which are rooted in community, and without it, there is no pathway to the professional level of the game. They uniquely invest in projects that add to the fabric of communities, and these upgrades will provide the Inner West with a first-class facility that can be used for sport across all levels, continuing to provide a shared space for all community activity, whether it be dog walking, fitness training, playing with children or simply enjoying the parkland.
What is the status of the current Development Application for the grandstand and pavilion improvements?
DA 2022 033 was lodged with Council on 14 February 2022. The development application is currently being assessed by an external planning consultant. The DA is required to be determined by the Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel.