The long-awaited moment for the Inner West community has come: the official opening of the GreenWay! A six-kilometre green trail connecting the Cooks River in Earlwood to the Parramatta River at Iron Cove.
More than just a new walking and cycling route, the GreenWay is a powerful example of what happens when communities advocate for people-first infrastructure. After almost two decades of petitions, planning meetings and grassroots momentum, the Inner West has gaining a shared civic spine that prioritises connection, access, wellbeing and local identity.
A corridor built for people
Running north–south through Dulwich Hill, Lewisham, Summer Hill and Haberfield, the GreenWay follows the Inner West Light Rail and Hawthorne Canal, linking neighbourhoods that were once fragmented by transport corridors and busy roads. The result is a safe, traffic-free route designed for walking, cycling, wandering, meeting and lingering, drawing users into key hubs along the way.
Whether you’re cruising the full stretch by bike in around 25 minutes or taking a slower 75-minute stroll on foot, the GreenWay is deliberately designed as a “choose-your-own-adventure”. Coffee stops, playgrounds, public artworks, wetlands and bird-watching moments are built into the experience — encouraging people not just to move through the Inner West, but to spend time in it.
Shared infrastructure that strengthens community
The GreenWay is also a major investment in shared community infrastructure. New bushcare sites, wetlands, playgrounds, tunnels and underpasses (including the Hercules Parklands and New Canterbury Road underpass) create a continuous, accessible journey from river to river.
Importantly, the trail connects directly with other major public assets — including the Cooks River Walk, the Bay Run and the upcoming Sydney Metro Southwest — transforming how locals and visitors move between neighbourhoods. Together, these projects help rebalance the Inner West away from car-dependence and towards healthier, more connected ways of getting around.
A living story of advocacy
The GreenWay stands as one of Sydney’s strongest examples of long-term community advocacy paying off. Local residents, community groups, councillors and advocates — including Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen — championed the vision well before it became a $58 million, three-tier government project.
Funded by contributions from the NSW Government, Inner West Council and the Commonwealth, the GreenWay shows what’s possible when local voices shape public investment. As Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has noted, it is the largest infrastructure project the council has ever delivered — and one that will transform daily life across the area.
The Flour Mill: a natural meeting point
Sitting at the heart of the GreenWay corridor, the Flour Mill is a natural pause point along the journey — a place to refuel, rest and reconnect. For more than a century, the Flour Mill has been part of the Inner West’s working and social fabric. Today, it continues that role as a hub for small businesses, community organisations and local gatherings.
The GreenWay shines a spotlight on this layered history, bringing new foot traffic past heritage buildings, local cafés, creative studios and community spaces. As people move along the trail, they’re invited not just to pass through, but to stop, explore and support the small businesses that give the Inner West its character.
A greener, more connected future
At its core, the GreenWay is about people — how we move, how we meet, and how we care for the places we share. It’s a reminder that infrastructure doesn’t just connect destinations; it connects stories, histories and communities.
As the GreenWay opens, we invite you to explore the trail, take your time, and drop into the Flour Mill along the way. Grab a coffee, meet a local business owner, and experience firsthand how thoughtful, community-led infrastructure can bring a neighbourhood to life.
The GreenWay isn’t just a path through the Inner West — it’s a celebration of it.