On Friday 7 November 2025, City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, Martin Zaiter, joined NSW Government Ministers and Councillors to officially open Robin Thomas Reserve, Harris Street, Parramatta.
The sports field has scored goals and hit a six with upgrades including:
A quality field, better suited to meet the needs of our growing community, is ready to for the community to enjoy.
The $2.5M+ upgrade of Robin Thomas Reserve was proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with City of Parramatta Council. The Office of Sport supported the improvements through its Everyone Plays Here grant program which promotes sport and active recreation.
Transport for NSW is delivering a new sports pavilion building and associated landscape works in the northern part of Robin Thomas Reserve (corner of Harris and George Streets). Details on this project can be found at the Transport for NSW project page: Robin Thomas Reserve improvement works | NSW Government
In late-September, construction started on the public amenities building and landscape works at James Ruse Reserve.
Stage 2 works include: a permanent, accessible, public toilet with change-room facility; associated paths, ramps and stairs; landscaping; garden beds; and full site restoration including removal of the existing temporary toilet structure. It’s expected that work will be complete by early-February 2026, subject to weather and site conditions.
Arrangements during the construction phase
The work preparing Robin Thomas Reserve for play is almost complete, with the turf on the sports field established and in the final stages of conditioning.
The recent heavy rain has delayed the official opening a little, but if top-dressing, sunshine encouraging growth, and mowing go as planned, it’s expected it will be game-on from 2 October 2025.
Major upgrades to the sports field at Robin Thomas Reserve are now complete. Works included:
• Installation of a new sports field irrigation system
• Minor levelling of the sports field and laying of new turf
• Remediation of fibro-affected soils identified during excavation works.
Over the coming weeks, the following works will be completed:
• Replacement of the synthetic cricket wicket and soccer goal posts.
The sports field is now under maintenance and will remain closed until the new turf is adequately established. Given the growing conditions of winter months and heavy shading at some sections of the site, it is expected the sports field will be remain closed until late - September/ October 2025.
A decision on when the sports field can be open will be made in early-September 2025.
Stage 1 of construction works at James Ruse Reserve is now complete. Works included:
• Installation of a new water tank (for sports field irrigation) on the southern side of the Hassall Street carpark
• Remediation of fibro-affected soils identified during excavation works
• Installation of underground utilities for a proposed public toilet and change-room facility including sewer, water and electrical connections.
Over the coming months, the following works are planned:
• Construction of a permanent public toilet and change-room facility, including associated paths and landscaping works
• Removal of existing temporary toilet structure and full site restoration.
Council is finalising the detail design for a proposed public toilet and change- room facility at James Ruse Reserve. The proposed toilet and change-room facility includes:
• Public toilet cubicles including fully accessible cubicle with baby change-table
• Dedicated change-rooms (cubicles)
• Connections including paths, ramps and stairs to the new facility
• Landscape works including garden beds.
A concept plan for the proposed facility including associated works can be seen below and in the Resources Section.
The proposed toilet and change-room facility is located in the area identified in the endorsed Robin Thomas and James Ruse Reserves Master Plan.
It is expected that construction of the proposed toilet and change-room facility will commence in late-2025 and be completed by mid-2026.
If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, please contact the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au and provide them the City of Parramatta contact number, 1300 617 058.
If you have questions or want to learn more about this project, please contact us using the details below:
Phone: 1300 617 058
This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with City of Parramatta Council.