Callan Park Demolition Plan To Open 1.6 Hectares of Green Space

Nine derelict buildings at Callan Park are set to be torn down, unlocking 1.6 hectares of public green space. But as demolition plans move forward, a long-running battle over the park’s future use is flaring up again.

The NSW Government has committed $4.8 million to Sydney’s latest Inner West project, with demolition set for mid-2026 and finished by early 2027.

The plan aims to address safety concerns and revitalise the sprawling parklands, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Nine fire-damaged buildings set for demolition in Callan Park

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the fire-damaged structures had become easy targets for vandalism and an “eyesore”.

“Callan Park is a jewel in the crown of the inner west,” Scully said. “But these nine buildings have been left to deteriorate beyond repair, becoming a stain on the park’s reputation.”

The condemned sites include wards from the former Callan Park Hospital, an abandoned pharmacy, weighbridges, the old engineer’s store, and a garage near the heritage-listed Bonnyview Cottage.

While locals adamantly support bulldozing the park’s central decaying structures, tensions are rising over the park’s future use.

NSW committee pushes to amend Callan Park Act for commercial use

In June, a NSW parliamentary committee recommended amending the Callan Park Act, which currently restricts commercial activity at the site.

Only not-for-profit organisations can operate in the park.

Balmain Greens MP Kobi Shetty warned against relaxing the protections, calling it a “grave concern” that could open the door to private developers.

“Time after time our community has had to fend off attempts to sell Callan Park to developers and private interests,” she said. “Allowing commercialisation by undermining the Act for a café is a Trojan horse for so much more. It’s a very slippery slope.”

Protect public access, says Inner West community advocates

For years, local groups have pushed for Callan Park to become a hub for health and wellbeing organisations, and cultural spaces.

A 2024 community proposal for the Callan Park Plan of Management outlined a vision with domestic violence shelters, Indigenous organisations, bushcare groups, community gardens, and even TAFE programs helping restore heritage buildings.

The plan also suggested a heritage museum run by community volunteers and spaces for arts, fitness, and local markets.

Independent Balmain councillor John Stamolis recently described Callan Park as having a “long and rich history of public purpose, community and mental health use.”

“These plans would honour the many veterans who passed through, a testament to its importance for our community,” Stamolis said.

Friends of Callan Park’s long time president Hall Greenland urged the government to keep the Act intact and, in turn, maintain public access protections.

“Every blade of it is valuable and should be available for public access,” Greenland said. “If anyone fences it off or reserves it for private or commercial use, it’s a loss to the public and a loss we can’t afford.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne backed the demolition plans but stressed the need for local access to remain front and centre.

“The feedback we get consistently from local people is they want to see it used more, not closed off,” Byrne said.

Designs for a swim site with accessible pathways to the tidal baths are also in progress.

As demolition looms, locals remain determined to keep Callan Park a community space, resisting pressures from private interests.