Proposed design for stabilising and landscaping the Sydney Park brick kilns and surrounds

Why we’re doing this

The Sydney Park brick kilns and chimneys are a symbol of the city’s industrial heritage and hold historical and cultural significance.

Over time the kilns have deteriorated. We need to stabilise the brick kilns and renew the landscaping in this area. This work will retain the site’s industrial character and create a special place in the landscape for the community to enjoy.

What we’re doing

When we consulted the community about this project earlier this year, we heard about the importance of improving access and creating a more welcoming space. Feedback also suggested celebrating the brickmaking history of the area through the landscape design, materials and interpretive signs.

We engaged Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects and JMD Design to review community feedback, consider the site’s context and develop a concept design.

The concept design includes:

• stabilising the brick kilns and reinstating roof structures
• removing fencing around the brick kilns
• better access to the area and the park from the Princes Highway
• heritage interpretation throughout the site
• a raised lawn area and plaza spaces for small outdoor gatherings.

The heritage interpretation includes old railway tracks, the outline of the clay pit and footprints of demolished buildings to reveal the untold history of brickmaking on the site.

We will also use signs, bricks and other industrial materials in the landscape design to explore the history of the site.

An independent arborist has recommended some trees will need to be replaced due to poor health or impacts on heritage structures. The City of Sydney takes any tree removal seriously, and we will carry out further assessments before consulting the community on any planned replacements.