Community trustee boards

Greater Sydney Parklands oversees community trustee boards that let the community provide advice on future of Sydney’s iconic parks.

Community trustee boards banner

We have established community trustee boards as one way to engage with local communities on the future of our iconic parks. The boards operate for Callan Park, Centennial Parklands (incorporating Moore Park and Queens Park), Fernhill Estate, Parramatta Park (incorporating Wistaria Gardens) and Western Sydney Parklands. 

The community trustee boards play a key advisory role. They represent a broad range of community interests and local perspectives on park stewardship, activities and usage. They also advise on environmental, heritage and cultural issues. We consider the views of the community trustee boards in our decision-making and the boards have a direct impact on how our parks operate.

Community trustee board members

Community members can nominate for a community trustee board. Members are selected by a panel and appointed by the relevant minister.  

A community trustee board member holds office for no more than 5 years. Members have been appointed for 2 years in the first instance.

Callan Park community trustee board

  • Deborah Lennis (First Nations representative) 
  • Keith Irving (Chair) 
  • Cr Kerrie Fergusson (Inner West Council nominated representative)
  • Louisa Larkin 
  • Roslyn Burge (heritage representative) 
  • Stephen Conaty 
Community trustee board
Centennial Parklands community trustee board members stand in a circle at Mount Steel

Centennial Park and Moore Park community trustee board

  • Cr Aaron Magner (Randwick City Council nominated representative)
  • Alex Kibble (heritage representative) 
  • Alia Karaman (Chair) 
  • Alim Fazley 
  • Lord Mayor Cr Clover Moore (City of Sydney nominated representative) 
  • Professor Philip Thalis (alternate City of Sydney nominated representative)
  • Ross Nicholas 
  • Cr Toni Zeltzer (Woollahra Municipal Council nominated representative)
  • Mayor Cr Will Nemesh (Waverley Council nominated representative) 

Fernhill Estate community trustee board

  • Nicholas Leech 
  • Peter Harvey 
  • Poonam Naik 
  • Robert Bennett (heritage representative) 
  • Shari Driver (Chair)
  • Mayor Cr Todd Carney (Penrith City Council nominated representative)
Fernhill Estate community trustee board members stand side by side outside of a manor house
Parramatta Park community trustee board members stand side by side at Paperbark playground

Parramatta Park community trustee board

  •  Cheryl Bates OAM (heritage representative)
  • Cr Dr Diane Colman (Cumberland City Council nominated representative)
  • James Lawler
  • Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter (City of Parramatta Council nominated representative)
  • Mustafa Agha 
  • Stewart Thompson (Chair) 
  • Thelmerie Rudd (First Nations representative)

Western Sydney Parklands community trustee board

  • Ana Lage (Liverpool City Council nominated representative)
  • Cr Bob Fitzgerald OAM (Blacktown City Council nominated representative)
  • Cheryl Dewhurst (Fairfield City Council nominated representative) 
  • Douglas Belton (heritage representative) 
  • Rebecca Anderson 
  • Sririsay Vukovic (Chair)
Western Sydney Parklands community trustee board members pose for a photograph in an indoor meeting room

Board meeting agendas and summary reports

Community trustee boards meet at least 4 times per year. 

To ensure transparency, all members of the community have access to meeting agendas and summary reports for community trustee board meetings. 

We will publish the meeting agenda for each community trustee board at least 7 days before the meeting. The summary report will be published at least 1 week after the meeting.

Community trustee board meetings

Community trustee board meetings are scheduled for the following dates in 2025.

 Meeting 1Meeting 2Meeting 3Meeting 4
Centennial Park and Moore ParkWednesday 14 MayWednesday 23 JulyWednesday 3 SeptemberTBA
Callan ParkMonday 12 MayMonday 28 JulyMonday 8 SeptemberTBA
Fernhill EstateTuesday 20 MayTuesday 29 JulyTuesday 23 SeptemberTBA
Western Sydney ParklandsWednesday 28 MayWednesday 2 JulyWednesday 17 SeptemberTBA
Parramatta ParkTuesday 27 MayTuesday 22 JulyTuesday 16 SeptemberTBA
Inaugural joint community trustee board meeting

Further information

Requirements for community trustee boards

Each community trustee board will: 

  • include a member nominated by each relevant local council 
  • be representative of community diversity, including in relation to gender, age and cultural background 
  • be reflective of the broad range of views and interests of the community and the people who use the relevant parkland 
  • include representation for local First Nations peoples 
  • include a representative who has experience or skills in heritage or heritage management. 

Community trustee board members will: 

  • have knowledge of their parkland and the activities carried out there 
  • be able to communicate effectively with local residents, local community groups and other people who use the park. 

To find out more about the approach for establishing and operating the community trustee boards, and what’s required of members, see the approved Consultation and Engagement Framework or the GSP engagement FAQ 

Seven things you need to know as a member of a community trustee board
  1. Community trustee board members are asked to provide informed advice on the relevant parklands. 
  2. Members will be appointed for an initial 2-year period and will be required to attend at least 4 meetings per year. 
  3. We want to hear about the experiences and perspectives of a diverse range of members of your community. 
  4. You’ll be expected to contribute in a way that values the contribution of others. 
  5. You’ll need to declare any conflicts of interest and act in accordance with the board’s terms of reference and code of conduct. 
  6. Members have a duty to protect confidential and private information. 
  7. If another community trustee board member is not acting ethically, you should notify the Chair and/or Greater Sydney Parklands. 

If you are passionate about Sydney's iconic parklands, a clear communicator and/or have demonstrated skills and experience running meetings, consider nominating for a community trustee board. Details will be made available here when the next round of nominations is open.

Frequently asked questions

View the Community trustee boards frequently asked questions.