A new urban forest, the upgrading of a significant indigenous site and a waterside boardwalk are part of a $4 million program for new and improved public space projects coming to Greater Sydney.
Minister for Planning and Public Space Rob Stokes today announced the latest recipients of the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Greenspace Program (MGP).
“These are 13 brilliant projects across 12 local government areas which will create and improve sustainable and accessible green spaces for the community to enjoy,” Mr Stokes said.
“This program recognises the value of our city’s parks and public spaces while giving councils the autonomy to create outdoor venues and attractions that suit the unique communities that use them every day.”
The successful councils are Blacktown City, City of Canada Bay, City of Canterbury Bankstown, Georges River, The Hills Shire, Hornsby Shire, Inner West, Lane Cove, Liverpool City, Northern Beaches, Strathfield and Woollahra.
Mr Stokes said the projects align with the Greater Sydney Green Grid initiative, a network of walking tracks throughout the city’s green spaces.
“Throughout COVID-19 lockdowns, we’ve seen just how important community greenspaces are to our mental health and well-being,” he said.
“The Metro Greenspace Program is the longest running open space grants program in NSW. It started in 1983 and more than $45 million in funding has delivered aprroximately 600 green spaces.”
Projects funded under the 2021 MGP include:
- A new 1.8 hectare parkland with an urban forest at Strathfield;
- Development of a masterplan to protect and recognise a significant indigenous site at Liverpool;
- Construction of a waterside boardwalk along the Canada Bay mangroves;
- Upgraded pedestrian and bush paths at Pennant Hills Park and Lane Cove National Park;
- New accessible pathways between Charlie Bali Reserve and Blacktown International Sports Park;
- Installation of wayfinding signage along the Lane Cove Loop;
- Final stage of the Gannons Park upgrade in Peaklhurst; and
- Upgrades to North Harbour Reserve, a key stopping point on the Manly to Spit Bridge Walk.
The successful councils are required to plant at least one tree for every $2,500 received and match the grant funding dollar-for-dollar.
The MGP is aligned with the Premier’s Priority – Greening our City – to have one million trees planted across Greater Sydney by mid-2022. So far, more than 600,000 have been planted.
A full list of successful MGP applicants is available at: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/metropolitan-greenspace-program.