A greener, better-connected community We recognise that building major infrastructure projects in urban environments can have significant impacts on communities. WestConnex is committed to minimising and mitigating against these impacts wherever possible. In addition to on the ground community consultation, WestConnex participates in a number of important community initiatives.
Public art The WestConnex Canal to Creek Public Art Program showcases 18 commissioned artworks, enhancing new and existing parklands between Beverly Hills and St Peters. Featuring artist-designed playgrounds, large-scale murals and immersive lighting installations, a writer’s walk and contemporary sculpture. The art trail is a cultural legacy for the community to enjoy. Canal to Creek to classroom Inspired by its public art program, we have developed an interactive education arts portal for high school students, which aligns with the NSW Visual Arts curriculum. The portal enables students to engage with 360 degree imagery of the Canal to Creek artwork, learn directly from acclaimed artists about how their works were created and access other interactive resources. WestConnex partnered with the Visual Arts Design Educators Association (VADEA) to deliver the initiative, which Co-President Nicole DeLosa said has ensured public art is accessible to students, no matter where they live. Visit the portal: canaltocreek.com “We believe that the WestConnex Public Art Portal is one of the most innovative and exciting educational experiences we’ve seen. The portal delivers a truly relevant and unique approach to interact with these commissioned artworks in a relevant and engaging way.”
Partnerships We invest in partnerships to support and strengthen communities. WestConnex’s partnership with Western Sydney road safety educator, the Blue Datto Foundation has enabled more than 25,000 students to participate in its award-winning road safety program, ‘Keeping Safe’, ensuring vital education remains accessible to young people who are some of the most at-risk on NSW roads. Open spaces WestConnex is providing more than 18 hectares of new and revitalised open space, and planting around 1 million new plants along the Project corridor. Almost 6,000 homes are now within a 10 minute walk of Ismay Reserve, a previously unused corridor in Sydney’s west which has been transformed into a popular new public recreation space. An artist-designed playground at Simpson Park in St Peters and a pocket park with active transport links in Haberfield have also provided new open spaces for local families and residents to enjoy.
Cycleways 23 kilometres of pedestrian and cycle paths will be delivered as part of WestConnex. In 2020, the Campbell Street Green Link was extended via a new toll-free bridge as part of the WestConnex M8, providing a new shared path connection between St Peters and the growing Mascot precinct. Grants Over the past five years, 318 WestConnex community grants have been awarded to local organisations across western Sydney. These grants have directly benefited more than 155,000 people and provide lasting outcomes for communities. These grants help deliver a range of legacy Projects, including STEM and sports equipment for schools, education programs, new facilities to assist people living with disabilities, sustainability initiatives and heritage restoration projects.
Nicole DeLosa Co-President VADEA
10 | WestConnext Community Overview
WestConnext Community Overview | 11
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