Regatta Park Shortlisted for LAA and AILA Awards

September 22, 2026 Awards Media

Regatta Park Shortlisted for LAA and AILA Awards

Video Credit: Glascott

Regatta Park, Penrith has been shortlisted for both the Landscape Australia Awards (LAA) Public Domain category and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Parks and Open Space category, recognising the park’s transformation of Western Sydney’s relationship with the Nepean River.

The project, delivered by Penrith City Council with master-planning by Clouston and detailed design by McGregor Coxall, realigned a major road that had bisected the foreshore for decades. The 66,000m2 parkland now provides continuous public access to the river, integrating ecological restoration, cultural heritage and community recreation.

Regatta Park has become Penrith’s most used public space, with pedestrian and cycling traffic through the precinct increasing 53% since opening. The park supports diverse uses including two cafés, a casual cricket oval, water play, outdoor gym and an inclusive playspace designed using Everyone Can Play principles. Three heritage buildings have been retained and adaptively reused, preserving the site’s layered histories.

The ecological strategy restored 400 metres of riparian corridor, with more than 400 trees planted and over 2,000m2 of invasive bamboo removed. Green infrastructure now intercepts runoff from 7,000m2 of hard surfaces and biologically treats over 5 million litres of stormwater annually before entering the river, a critical habitat for platypus.

Cultural engagement extended from Aboriginal heritage investigations through to collaboration with Darug custodians and local artist Blak Douglas, whose major public artwork weaves cultural storytelling into the arrival experience. The locally responsive planting palette and heritage interpretation reflect the park’s position on Darug and Gundungarra Country.

Shade provision was embedded as a functional requirement, with double rows of canopy trees creating shaded corridors and social gathering spaces designed to remain usable during Western Sydney’s extreme heat months.

The park’s success demonstrates landscape architecture’s capacity to reshape civic life while restoring cultural narratives and regenerating ecological systems within a renewed riverfront landscape.

New images capture the park maturing and in full use by the local community.

Image Credit: Martin Mischkulnig

Aerial view of a riverside town with a bridge, green parks, trees, and buildings under a partly cloudy sky. The river runs along the right side of the image, showcasing well-organized spaces that reflect effective Campus Asset Management throughout the community.

A riverside park with a modern white building, manicured lawns, and trees—meticulously maintained through Campus Asset Management—set against hills and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Aerial view of a park with a long white-roofed building, parking lot, circular grass field, winding roads, and a river bordered by trees at the top of the image—a prime example of effective campus asset management in action.

A modern open-air pavilion with a flat roof, surrounded by grass and trees, exemplifies thoughtful Campus Asset Management. People are seated on benches inside, and sunlight casts shadows across the structure.

Children play at a water and sand play area under a large shaded structure in a park, surrounded by trees and greenery—an inviting space thoughtfully maintained through Campus Asset Management.

Outdoor covered seating area at a cafe or restaurant, with colorful chairs and tables. People are sitting and standing, talking and eating. Thanks to thoughtful Campus Asset Management, the space is vibrant and well-maintained, with trees and greenery visible in the background beyond the open walls.

Five people, including two children, are gathered near large rocks by a riverside. Trees and water are in the background, and the area is surrounded by green grass. A signpost and informational display—part of thoughtful Campus Asset Management—are also visible.

Children and an adult stand near a large, modern playground structure with yellow and silver details, surrounded by tall trees in a park—a vibrant example of thoughtful Campus Asset Management supporting community spaces.

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About the author

Philip Coxall

Philip has more than thirty years international experience in landscape architecture, urban design and planning.

Philip has worked on a broad range of projects in Australia, England, and Asia. His expertise lies in leading and managing the design of large scale, complex projects from concept to the resolution of the finest details and then overseeing their construction and contract administration on site.

He has undertaken this role for many of our leading projects including Ballast Point Park and the Former BP Site located on Sydney Harbour. In 2009-2010 Philip’s work was recognised by the Sydney Morning Herald where he was identified as one of Sydney’s most influential professionals in improving the quality of life in Sydney.

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