Missing links – Cadigal Reserve & Parramatta Rd underpass

What are we doing in this area?

The upgrades to Cadigal Reserve in Summer Hill include:

  • A new path and upgraded natural areas
  • Upgraded landscaping and ecological restoration
  • Creation of new 3.5m wide shared path
  • Installation of new bat-friendly smart path lights
  • New nature play area
  • Installation of public art
  • Installation of rest stop
  • Wayfinding signage
  • Access ramp into Hawthorne Canal
  • New shared path bridge across Hawthorne Canal
  • Resurfacing of the existing path on the western side of Hawthorne Canal
  • New tunnel under Longport Street
  • Microbat protective tunnel design

When are we doing this?

Construction in the Cadigal Reserve area around Parramatta Road and Longport Street commenced in January 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in 2025.

Cadigal Reserve closure

In order to complete these upgrades, Cadigal Reserve including the dog park and the parking lot are closed during comstruction. Detours and traffic management are in place.

A new fenced off-leash dog park will be created on the western side of Lewisham West light rail station, easily accessible via the GreenWay path. Alternative off-leash dog parks can be found on council’s website: innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/active-inner-west

Construction access through Hawthorne Canal via Marion Street

Construction access to complete the upgrades, is through the Hawthorne Canal via the Marion Street ramp. A temporary ramp is in place within Cadigal Reserve during construction from January 2024 to 2025. The footbridge over Hawthorne Canal (near the Lords Road pedestrian tunnel in Leichhardt) has been temporarily removed from October 2024 during the works to allow for construction access height requirements and will be re-installed on completion of the works in 2025. 

Images

Artist impression - Cadigal Reserve nature play area:

Summer Hill Cadigal Reserve

Artist impression - Longport Street tunnel and bat screen, looking south from Cadigal Reserve towards Longport Street:

Longport St tunnel and bat screen

Artist impression - Cantilevered path under Parramatta Road and along Hawthorne Canal:

01_Cantilevered walkway under Parramatta Road and along Hawthorne Canal

The cantilevered shared path over the Hawthorne Canal is progressing well. The contactor has to work with the tides and water levels within the canal:

Cadigal cantilivered path 12 March 2025

Hawthorne canal cantilivered path 24 Feb 2025

Under the Battle Bridge, Parramatta Road:

Cadigal under Parra Rd 26 March 2025 

Connection from cantilevered path to Cadigal Reserve:

Cadigal raised path connection 26 March 2025

Start of the bat-friendly tunnel under Longport Street, connecting Cadigal Reserve with Lewisham West:

Cadigal tunnel 18 March 2025

Delivery of reinforced steel for the piles that will support the shared boardwalk:

Cadigal reo steel delivery

Footings for the raised path to and from the microbat-friendly tunnel under Longport Street are almost finished:

Cadigal - piling 3 July 2024

Cadigal - piling2 - 3 July 2024

Footbridge over Hawthorne Canal is being lifted to allow for construction site access through the canal from Marion Street, Leichhardt:

Lords Rd footbridge removal in process 1 Oct 2024

Lords Rd footbridge lifted detail 3 Oct 2024

Marion Street ramp construction access 3 Oct 2024

Cadigal Reserve construction fencing has been installed for safe construction; ecological and bush care areas are fenced off from the construction site with dust and site run-off mitigation measures in place:

Cadigal tree protection zone and dust and runoff control

Cadigal tree and runoff protection

Cadigal construction fencing up

Cadigal bushcare fencing

Cadigal bat screen and bushcare fencing

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Page last updated: 02 Apr 2025