Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

NSW Government commits to new green space projects and expanded Great West Walk

NSW Government commits to new green space projects and expanded Great West Walk
June 4, 2021

The NSW Government has announced a $250 million funding package to create a legacy of green and accessible public spaces.

Announcing that the funding will supported 60 successful council proposals for more than 100 projects as part of the NSW Government’s inaugural Public Spaces Legacy Program, NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet advised “this pandemic has reminded us of the immense value we all place on our public spaces - our parks, streets, plazas, cycleways, foreshores, bushland and walking trails.

“This program and the funding behind it will not only lead to better public spaces, but the work to construct them will boost local economies through the creation of more jobs.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the funding being delivered to councils was reliant on them meeting agreed targets to speed up local development applications.

Minister Stokes advised “this program is the first of its kind in NSW and demonstrates state and local government working together to create a legacy of beautiful public spaces that communities, for decades, can be proud of.

“In exchange for legacy funding, councils participating in the program need to speed up their assessment times. They have until 30th June to keep hitting their targets but, so far, the program has seen a 20% improvement.”

This innovative program will see legacy projects delivered across NSW including:

• Albury: More than two hectares of public space adjacent to the Murray River will be upgraded with a boardwalk and the construction of a shared zone market area to provide for up to 60 market stalls;
• Bankstown: Paul Keating Park precinct will be rejuvenated with an inclusive playspace in the heart of the CBD, plus more tree coverage and seating;
• Georges River: A car park will be converted into permanent green, public space, including smart furniture, more trees and shade. 
• St Leonards, Lane Cove: the new St Leonards Plaza will create a green space in the heart of the CBD to benefit local residents and workers with an accessible, active and vibrant public space;
• Double Bay: A road will be closed to create a public plaza in Knox Street, including seating and gathering areas, landscaping, lighting and public art elements.

Greener Great West Walk
The NSW Government has also announced that more than 26,000 new trees will be planted along the Great West Walk, a 65-kilometre urban trail linking Parramatta to the lower Blue Mountains through three Western Sydney council areas.

Commenting on this initiative, which involves the Penrith, Parramatta and Blacktown City Councils, Minister Stokes noted “one of Sydney’s finest green links will now be adorned with more trees, our greatest weapon in the battle against the urban heat in Western Sydney.

“We’re creating a city within a park and we’re doing that by linking our green spaces with living infrastructure like the Great West Walk.

“Penrith, Parramatta and Blacktown Councils have received close to $1 million for landscaping work which includes planting and maintaining around 11,000 trees in four locations along the Great West Walk, with more than 15,000 trees to be planted by our partners Greening Australia and Landcare.”

The investment will see 3,200 trees planted at Tregear Reserve in Tregear (Blacktown), 7,600 trees in Toongabbie Creek in Winston Hills (Parramatta), 100 trees at Ironbark Reserve in Cranebrook (Penrith) and 9,000 trees at multiple sites across the walk.

The Greening the Great West Walk initiative supports the ‘Greening our City Premier’s Priority’ program, which aims to increase the tree canopy and green cover across Greater Sydney by planting one million trees by 2022.

More than 500,000 trees have been planted so far.

For more information, visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Planning-reforms/NSW-Public-Spaces-Legacy-Program and www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/great-west-walk

Images: Concepts for the Albury Riverside Boardwalk (top) and the new St Leonards Plaza at Lane Cove (middle) and newly planted trees on the Great West Walk (below).

Related Articles

29th May 2021 - Wingecarribee Shire Council secures playground funding

25th May 2021 - 50-year vision looks to deliver greater protection for Sydney’s green spaces

17th May 2021 - Parks and Leisure Australia regional conference looks to create a climate for change

15th April 2021 - NSW Planning Minister to investigate alternatives to synthetic grass

16th March 2021 - NSW Government announces funding for parks and play

10th March 2021 - Penrith Council plants 340 new trees in Chameleon Reserve

18th January 2021 - NSW national parks receive major infrastructure investment

24th December 2020 - NSW Government returns 15,000 hectares of land returned to traditional owners to form new national park

29th October 2020 - Blacktown City becomes greener with tree planting program

26th October 2020 - City of Sydney pushes for Moore Park Golf Course to be halved in size to unlock more public parkland

11th September 2020 - Children across Australia participate in National Walk Safely to School Day

31st August 2020 - Public spaces key to cooling urban areas

5th August 2020 - Funding announced for new parks, walking trails and open spaces in NSW

16th July 2020 - NSW Government plans merger of Sydney’s parks agencies

25th June 2020 - Everyone Can Play Grant helps fund Penrith’s playspace upgrades

7th May 2020 - Latest AusPlay data shows further increase in adult participation in sport and physical activity

25th April 2020 - NSW Government to spend $20 million on public spaces in Sydney’s inner west

3rd November 2019 - Armidale residents donate water to save trees in drought affected park

13th June 2019 - Denise Ora appointed as new Executive Director of NSW’s Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands

11th June 2019 - NSW Government makes $19 million budget commitment to enhance green space

18th August 2018 - NSW Government advances design guidelines for more inclusive play spaces


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Felton Industries

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…

read more

Parks / Play / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

BODY BIKE APAC

BODY BIKE® International is a leading manufacturer of indoor bikes with a 20-year track record of creating the best indoor bikes. Stay connected with Body Bike Australia…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Ausfit

Ausfit began in 1992, providing software services to the health and fitness sector including ClubWise, a fully hosted web-based product which combines state of the art club management software,…

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

TJS Services

TJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide.  Our…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Venues

 
 

AlphaFit

AUSTRALIAN MADE. FIT FOR PURPOSE. Based on the Gold Coast, AlphaFit is a leading manufacturer and supplier of Australian gym equipment specifically for the commercial, strength and conditioning,…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

Enta Australasia

As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd.  Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing.  19th July 2018 - ENTA…

read more

Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

BioLab Australia Pty Ltd

BioGuard is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted supplier of premium, innovative and affordable commercial water treatment systems and chemicals. BioGuard offers a comprehensive range of…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business