{"id":10281,"date":"2021-02-16T00:18:55","date_gmt":"2021-02-16T00:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=10281"},"modified":"2021-02-16T00:18:55","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T00:18:55","slug":"16-5-million-for-more-green-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2021\/02\/16\/16-5-million-for-more-green-space\/","title":{"rendered":"16.5 MILLION FOR MORE GREEN SPACE"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than $16 million from the NSW Government\u2019s COVID-19 stimulus fund will help deliver more quality green public space on Crown land across Greater Sydney.
\nMinister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the new Greater Sydney Crown Land Open Space Activation Program would fund upgrades to Crown land and community facilities.
\n\u201cThe last 12 months has taught us the importance of green open space and creating public places where people can safely meet, congregate and relax,\u201d Mr Stokes said.
\n\u201cIt makes good sense that by improving Crown land and public infrastructure we can make better use of the assets we already have to create more open space for the community to enjoy.
\n\u201cThese projects will also support local jobs and economies with work for tradespeople and materials suppliers.\u201d
\nIn addition to the funding, Crown land will be reviewed to identify sites for future activation.
\nLocal councils will be invited to participate in partnership opportunities for activation and ongoing management of shortlisted sites for activation, which will include new or improved public parkland reserves, foreshore precincts and civic spaces such as town squares.
\nThe program will also complement the\u00a0Sydney Green Grid<\/a>, which was bolstered by a $3 million metropolitan green space program launched in July to create more walking trails, bike paths and picnic spots that would build links between green spaces throughout Sydney.
\nAn additional $500,000 over the next two years will be used to protect sensitive nature reserves being impacted by unauthorised activities such as four-wheel driving, dirt bike riding and rubbish dumping.
\nMr Stokes said the funding will contribute to the installation of fencing, bollards, cabling, gates and signage on reserves where these activities have caused environmental damage.
\n\u201cThis funding will help local councils trying to manage hotspots where these inappropriate activities occur. Fencing and gates will also help manage bushfire risk by keeping reserves free of accumulated rubbish,\u201d Mr Stokes said.
\nThe projects are among a range of stimulus projects being funded on Crown land sites across Greater Sydney, with others including:<\/p>\n