NewScape Design prepared the Western Sydney Parklands Design Manual to guide the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure across one of Australia’s largest urban parkland systems, stretching 27 kilometres through Western Sydney and serving a rapidly growing and diverse community.
Developed between 2017 and 2018, the manual establishes a consistent design framework across the Parklands while allowing individual precincts to express their own landscape, cultural and recreational character. The manual was shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement, bringing together visitor experience teams, maintenance staff and designers, alongside a detailed review of past projects delivered across the Parklands. This collaborative process captured practical lessons learned and formed the backbone for developing best-practice standards that balance identity, cost efficiency and long-term maintenance outcomes.
Presented as an innovative, graphically driven digital resource, the manual provides clear guidance on planning principles, infrastructure design and facility selection. Hyperlinked guideline pages connect directly to technical drawings and specifications, allowing designers, consultants and operational staff to easily apply consistent standards across projects. Expanded sections address roads, lighting, planting and landscape management, as well as event and commercial partner infrastructure.
Designed as a living document, the manual is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains relevant as the Parklands continue to evolve. Its digital platform enables rapid updates and revisions, ensuring the most current guidance is always accessible to project teams and operational staff.
In recognition of its impact and innovation in large-scale park management, the project received the Excellence Award for Land Management at the 2019 AILA NSW Landscape Architecture Awards, reinforcing the manual’s role in shaping consistent, high-quality visitor experiences across the Parklands while supporting community wellbeing and connection to nature.
