Council does not take bookings for the shelters and picnic tables in any of our parks or reserves. This includes Carss Bush Park. These facilities can be used on a first come, first served basis. Carss Bush Park is busy on weekends and it is best to get in early.
Some parks and reserves are available for small wedding ceremonies and photographs. A maximum of 10 chairs and a celebrant's table are permitted. Structures such as arches and stages, carpet aisles, decorations, confetti, rice, alcohol, flames and fireworks or commercial activities are not permitted for these functions. Council Parks and Reserves are public land, as such, exclusive use of any area is not assured. To make a booking for a wedding please fill out our Casual Use of Parks form. All fees related to booking a park can be found in Council’s fees and charges.
Council will take bookings for school picnic days, mid-week only for more than 50 students. If you wish to book a park, you can do so through the Casual Use of Park form. All fees related to booking a park can be found in Council’s fees and charges.
Small tents or marquees are allowed. These should be hand carried into any park and should not be commercially hired or set up by a commercial operator. Tents or marquees should be sufficiently weighed down, such that they can not blow away in the event of strong winds. Use of stakes or pegs is strictly prohibited, due to the presence of underground services such as irrigation and electricity.
Portable barbecues are permitted as long as they are used within designated barbecue areas and must be carried into the park by hand. If there is no designated barbecue area within a park, barbecuing is not permitted.
When using a portable barbecue it must be a minimum of 50cm from ground level. Barbecues that sit on the ground are strictly prohibited.
Barbecuing during a total fire ban is not permitted. It is the responsibility of the owner/user of the barbecue to check the Fire Danger Rating with the NSW Rural Fire Service. They can be contacted on 1800 679 737 or online at NSW Rural Fire Services page.
All waste must be disposed of appropriately. The dumping of coals, oil, rubbish and other materials may result in penalties.
Council will take steps to recover costs should damage occur to the park or reserve as a result of bringing your own barbecue.
You can only use this type of barbecue in parks where Council has installed hot coal bins. These bins have been specifically designed for the safe disposal of hot coals from charcoal barbecue. Charcoal bins can be found in the following parks below. - Carss Bush Park - Dover Park East - Sans Souci Park
Activities that are not of a sporting nature, but require use of a park are likely to be an event, and all queries should be forwarded to Council’s Events team – this includes, but is not limited to: - Christmas carols - Markets - Dog shows - Concerts - Cultural celebrations - Gala days for sporting clubs Customers will be required to complete an Event Application form a minimum of 12 weeks prior to their event. This allows Council sufficient time to conduct risk assessments, collect insurance, apply for permits, notify surrounding residents and any other necessary actions required to successfully stage an event.
Dog owners have access to 9 off-leash dog parks in the Georges River area, where dogs can run, exercise and socialise leash-free with other dogs and visitors. Our off-leash parks include fenced and unfenced areas and are open all year round. If you use these parks, you are responsible for cleaning up after your pet. Designated areas are provided within the following parks: - Arrowsmith Park - Carss Bush Park - Lower Gannons Park - H.V. Evatt Park - Hogben Park - Kogarah Park - Moore Park - Moore Reserve - Riverwood Park Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when they are not in a designated leash free area. More information on animals and pets can be found on the animals and pets page.
Off-road bikes, such as mountain bikes and BMX bikes can be ridden on roads, fire trails and in some of our parks on existing established tracks. To find out if it is permitted in any park check the park signage at the entrance to the park or the plan of management for the park. We have a program to improve signage in our parks to assist all users which will indicate if bike riding is permissible. The following map shows the location of all fire trails in the Georges River Local Government Area. The following map shows the permissible locations for off-road biking and walking trails in Oatley Park.
Council has decided to investigate suitable sites for a preferred long-term, permanent home for BMX and/or mountain bike facilities in Georges River. It will be some time before permanent facilities could be constructed. However, Council is currently investigating short-term and interim measures to support the bike-riding community during the upcoming summer holiday period. These interim solutions will support bike riders during the current and future NSW Public Health Order restrictions and/or until the longer-term design and construction of an active recreation facility is completed. A further report will go to the October 2021 meeting of Council to discuss the option for the short term provision for mountain bike riding facilities. Until these interim and long-term studies and works are completed Council has adopted a policy position that involves only removing informally constructed bike tracks and jumps where tracks have potential to:
Council recently decided to investigate the feasibility for additional active recreation facilities including BMX and mountain bike facilities within Georges River. A further report will go to the October 2021 meeting of Council to discuss the option for short term provision for mountain bike riding facilities. The Plan of Management for the former Oatley Bowling Club site at River Road, Oatley also includes a pump track.
No, you cannot create new tracks or trails for any purpose. The creation of new tracks in bushland areas is prohibited. This activity is harmful to the environment and may result in the destruction of endangered and native flora and the natural landscape. It may also pose a public safety issue for other park users.
Any activity by the public which is designed to deliberately damage bikes and injure riders could constitute criminal activity. The dangerous practise of placing branches, logs, fishing line, trimmer cord and other obstacles across tracks is unacceptable. If you witness such action, you should immediately report it to the Police on 1800 333 000. If you find any obstacle and believe it may pose an immediate risk, and without putting yourself in danger, please try to move obstacle and let Council know. You can report this to Council using the Log It/Fix It option on Council’s website or you can download the Georges River Council app from the App Store or Google Play. The app lets you easily take a photo and upload the details on Request a Service.
Cyclists must always give-way to pedestrians and bike riders should be aware of the potential danger posed to all park users of deliberately building jumps. We are improving the signage in parks to help all users understand their obligations to each other.
Any threatening or criminal behaviour by the public should be reported immediately to NSW Police. The Police are equipped to respond appropriately and ensure the safety of park users in the event of any immediate threat to personal safety. Council rangers and officers are unable to respond to reports of threats of violence. You must not take photographs of children without the express written consent of their guardian or parent.
No, it is not illegal. It is a permissible activity in accordance with the Plan of Management (POM). Bikes just need to stay on roads and fire trails and not go into the bush. We are improving the signage in parks to help all users understand their obligations to each other.
Where a new bush track or jumps have been created you can report this to Council using the Log It/Fix It option on Council’s website or you can download the Georges River Council app from the App Store or Google Play. The app lets you easily take a photo and upload the details on Request a Service.
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