At 17.7 hectares, Cooper Park is the largest urban bushland in the area, and new draft plans have now set out how this Bellevue Hill landmark will be managed and improved.
A Historic Bushland Reserve
Cooper Park was gazetted as a public park in 1917 and has since become a defining green space in Bellevue Hill. It contains 12 hectares of bushland, walking tracks, sportsfields, picnic areas, and heritage structures such as the 1930s amphitheatre and the Moon Bridge. The park is already listed on the Woollahra Local Environmental Plan 2014, with Council also pursuing recognition on the State Heritage Register.
Features of the Draft Plan
The draft Plan of Management, prepared under the Local Government Act 1993, sets out five categories of land: Park, Sportsground, General Community Use, Natural Area – Bushland, and Natural Area – Watercourse. These categories ensure clear guidance for recreation, heritage, and conservation.
The Master Plan proposes a range of upgrades over the next 10 to 15 years:
- A reconfigured Bunna Place entry and carpark with traffic calming and additional parking bays.
- Expanded play areas and picnic grounds, with new lawn spaces and creek-edge improvements.
- Amphitheatre enhancements including terraces, seating, and a fitness station to support small events.
- Creek and pond rehabilitation through water sensitive urban design to improve water quality and habitat.
- Designated dog off-leash areas at selected sites and time-restricted access at Lower Cooper Park.
Community Consultation and Feedback
The draft plans follow two stages of consultation. Between November 2023 and February 2024, 155 submissions were received from the community. A further exhibition period took place from 23 April to 6 June 2025, supported by three community pop-up sessions and a statutory public hearing on 28 May 2025.
Feedback highlighted the community’s strong attachment to the park’s bushland setting, along with requests for better facilities and the need to balance competing uses such as sport, family recreation, and dog exercise.
Next Steps for Bellevue Hill
The Cooper Park draft Plan of Management and Master Plan, now updated with community input, was presented to Woollahra Council’s Environmental Planning Committee on Monday, 1 September 2025, at 6:30 p.m. If adopted, the plans will guide the long-term future of Cooper Park, ensuring it remains a central natural and heritage space for Bellevue Hill.
Published 3-Sep-2025
