The aim of the merger is to more cohesively plan, maintain and enhance the city’s impressive number (685) of parks and equally impressive array of rivers and other waterways.

“Nature doesn’t recognise any difference between land and water...The new unit combines two philosophies that have a great deal in common,” says manager Anne Greenup.

Excellent work has been done by parks and waterways staff in the past and it is expected that things will be even better with everyone working more closely.