NSW Sydney Park Trusts Can Now Run Businesses on Park Land; Selling or Leasing Park Land Just Got Easier

Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026

13 Oct 2026: This bill has passed its first house and is now before the second house for its own debate.

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

environmental planning financial services land acquisition land leases land management public land public parks

Introduced by: The Hon Paul Scully MP (ALP); The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust can now engage in commercial business activities and provide facilities on its estate
the GSPT must consult community trustee boards before submitting plans of management to the Environment Minister and before reallocating money within the Trust's special fund
leases and licences in the GSPT estate can be granted to public authorities, for utilities, or as long-term leases without needing an open tender process
certain land within the GSPT estate can now be disposed of (sold or transferred) under conditions set by legislation
similar governance updates apply to Callan Park, Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, Parramatta Park Trust, and Western Sydney Parklands

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Chris Rath LIB

“The Opposition supports the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026, a bill which will deliver sensible reforms while ensuring that Sydney’s parklands remain in public hands. The Greater Sydney Parklands Trust oversees some of the most significant and cherished green spaces in our State.”

Official source →

Cate Faehrmann GRN

“I speak to the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026. I acknowledge the work of one of my colleagues in the other place, the member for Balmain, Kobi Shetty, on this bill and her advocacy to protect the "Jewel of the Inner West": Callan Park.”

Official source →

Emily Suvaal ALP

“The Opposition has foreshadowed an amendment to make sure that part of the trust lands is used for an 18-hole golf course. The Minns Labor Government is transforming 20 hectares of public land at Moore Park South into a vibrant new park for the people of Sydney, and we are proud of that. For reasons that might be obvious to members, the Government will not support the Opposition amendment.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026

Mr PAUL SCULLY, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces — 2026-02-11

The bill delivers reforms in four key areas and completes the task started when the GSPT Act was introduced. Firstly, it strengthens and aligns the objectives across the various parklands legislation. Secondly, it strengthens financial sustainability so parklands can be properly maintained, improved and expanded for generations to come. Thirdly, it modernises and streamlines leasing, licensing and tender processes, which will improve consistency across all our parklands while maintaining transparency for the public’s interest. Finally, it strengthens governance frameworks, including further clarifying the role of community trustee boards.