A total of $3 million in matched grant funding will be available to help councils deliver projects to enhance access to regionally significant public open spaces and contribute to the Green Grid.
July 2024
What was approved
Approved for Blacktown City Council
Construction of approximately 330 metres of shared user pathway between the M7 cycleway and the Eastern Creek Quarter Shopping Centre along Church Street road reserve. This link has been identified as a strategic route in the M7 Shared User Pathway Active Transport Network Review and Action Plan - February 2024.
$446,217 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Blacktown 2148About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
21/10/2025What was approved
Approved for Camden Council
In 2021 Camden Council adopted a Masterplan for 41Ha of Open Space surrounding The Crest development in Gledswood Hills. The land had previously been identified for the provision of a 9-hole Golf Course that was to be delivered under a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) and retained in private ownership. However, the developers of the land requested an amendment to the VPA seeking to dedicate the Golf Course land to Council for public purposes. Council accepted this amendment and subsequently began a process to masterplan the site seeking input from the community at each key milestone. The resulting masterplan sets out a transformational vision for a destination recreation precinct combining district level playgrounds, district level bicycle facilities, a comprehensive and interconnected network of walking and shared paths, passive spaces for unstructured play as well as contemplation and relaxation, as well as the retention, protection, and the restoration of existing Cumberland Plain Woodland. This Vision, and the delivery of the masterplan, is a key component in realising Council’s interconnected open space network to meet the needs of the growing and diverse communities of Camden, and the Western Parkland City, in a cohesive and coordinated way. Council has since progressed the design of one of the recreation areas identified in the masterplan. This includes a learn to ride bicycle facility, car parking, nature play and an amenity building. This is targeted at an age range of between 2-8 years of age. Council will be commencing construction of this facility in the second half of 2024. The next phase in Camden Council’s delivery of a district level bicycle facility, and vision for the Foothills Bike Park, is the design and delivery of a mountain bike experience and skills trail. This facility will emphasise opportunities for graduated skill development that allow for participation across the experience spectrum. It will integrate with the learn to ride facility targeting young people who have graduated from the existing site experiences and will provide increasingly challenging and technical trails. The proposal includes the design and delivery of an extension to the existing shared path network and the delivery of a network of entry level dirt mountain bike trails, which will be complimented by the delivery of seating, picnic shelters and large passive spaces surrounded by re-vegetation planting seeking to restore the natural environment. The mountain bike experience will be for beginners and less-confident riders who want to improve their bike handling skills including balance, cornering, jumping and navigating small drops across a range of gradients, surfaces and obstacles. Camden Council is seeking funding for the design and implementation of Capital Works. The works proposed will focus on the delivery of walking tracks and recreational/bicycle trails. Specifically, Council is aiming to deliver an entry level mounta
$518,650 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Oran Park 2570About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
21/10/2025What was approved
Approved for Campbelltown City Council
Varroville Reserve is a 26Ha Council owned site and a key regional open space corridor within the Scenic Hills. The beautiful peaceful ridgeline site is the catalyst for the implementation of the Scenic Hills Green Grid Link, a project identified under Sydney's Green Grid - South West District. It is also one of three major destinations outlined in the Scenic Hills Strategic Framework (2023). Council is currently preparing a DRAFT Master Plan for the Varroville Reserve “Heart of the Scenic Hills’ project funded through the State Government's 22/23 Metropolitan Greenspace Grant Funding Program. The DRAFT Master Plan is due for completion June 2024 however initial master plan documentation clearly defines the design principles and intended design direction of the site, also guided by the four primary themes found within the Strategic Framework - Country, Environment, Community and, Liveability and Connectivity. The design principles, intended design direction and four primary themes have been used to determine the Stage 1 scope of works forming this grant funding application: - Community Consultation and Engagement Activities - Select removal of exotic vegetation - Native plant restoration of ecologically significant vegetation communities (Cumberland Plain Hills Woodland and Cumberland Plains Shale Woodland) - Heritage Interpretation, Wayfinding and Signage - 3-4m wide crushed sandstone pathway linking St Davids Road to St Andrews Road - Seating Pods along the crushed sandstone pathway alignment - associated site preliminaries, demolition/earthworks, plant care and establishment activities. The key deliverables include: - Community Communication Engagement and Delivery Plan - Review of Environmental Factors - Native Vegetation Restoration Plan/Methodology - DRAFT Concept Plan - Community Consultation Summary Reports - Documentation Package for Tender and Construction - Implementation of the abovementioned scope of works. Please note: A separate Council funded project will be underway and aligned to the delivery of these works and will include: - planning and investigation works - picnic and viewing areas - future service provision - vehicle entry works
$352,500 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Campbelltown 2560About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
29/05/2026What was approved
Approved for City of Parramatta Council
Project Context: Council’s project Mudung Nura proposes to deliver a Dharug-led cultural heritage plan for the Parramatta River corridor. The plan will identify regeneration opportunities and improvements of key open spaces along the corridor to support the previous work of the Parramatta River Vision and to provide a unique opportunity for collaboration between Dharug Traditional Custodians, State government agencies and local government. The development of Council’s Parramatta River Vision was originally funded by the Metropolitan Greenspace Program and demonstrates a direct alignment between the grant program objectives around the Sydney Green Grid and endorsed strategic directions by Council. The Parramatta River Vision sets out directions and key projects for the Parramatta River as the primary open space corridor in the Parramatta Ways network. To further the Parramatta River Vision, Council has brought together key stakeholders including State government agencies and private landholders to develop an Action Plan and advocacy platform. Through this work, Council officers together with key government stakeholders have identified the need for a First Nations led project bringing together existing work across agencies. In 2024, Council’s landmark new First Nations Strategy announced two key actions that will contribute to establishing clear, robust, and respectful partnership between Council and the Dharug Peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the land, waterways, and skies we call the City of Parramatta today. These actions are the creation of a new Dharug-led Design and Planning Panel and a place-specific Designing with Country Framework for the Parramatta LGA. For this project, the Panel will collaborate with Council on the cultural mapping process and advise on priorities for the regeneration and improvement of key open spaces along the River. Funding will support the development of an important shared resource between the key stakeholders, be an important pilot project delivered through Council’s Dharug-led Design & Planning Panel and inform the development of Council’s Designing with Country Framework. Project Description: The Dharug-led cultural heritage plan (the Plan) will guide the regeneration and improvement of key open spaces along the Parramatta River corridor as identified in the Parramatta River Vision. The Plan will build on existing cultural heritage studies being undertaken by individual agencies and relevant parties along the River and bring Dharug together with these primary stakeholders. The Plan’s emphasis on cross-agency collaboration and partnership with Dharug will guide and expand the impact of existing regeneration funding, programs, and research. By undertaking the cultural mapping of the River corridor, the Plan’s Country-centric approach will support and inform the planning, design, and delivery of key capital projects along the River foreshore such as Council’s City River Western Preci
$140,000 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Parramatta 2150About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
21/10/2025What was approved
Approved for Cumberland City Council
The vision for this project is to connect the local community to the rich ecologies and river experience along the Duck River Parklands. Seventh Street Parklet will repurpose an underutilised cul-de-sac to establish a new parklet with new seating, a viewing area and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) features. Currently there is limited activations in the northern section of the Duck River Parklands. The Parklet will deliver; - Park furniture to provide pause points to enjoy the unique landscape setting, - A new seating area to enjoy views along the length of the River towards the Grey Headed Flying Fox Colony, - Improved and safer regional transport connection for pedestrians and cyclist along the Duck River - WSUD features to capture storm water from Seventh Street thereby improving the quality of water entering the Duck River. This street has no storm water drainage system.
$329,713 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Merrylands 2160About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
21/10/2025What was approved
Approved for Cumberland City Council
The Mimosa St Parklet vision is to connect the local community to the rich ecologies and river experience along the Duck River Parklands, manage water entering the catchment and provide educational, playful, sensory and recreation opportunities for people to enjoy. The Parklet is an invitation to slow down and immerse in the lush riparian landscape offerings of the Duck River. This will be delivered through: - Native planting to improve biodiversity, shade and enhance the unique offerings of the Duck River Parklands. - WSUD treatment of water entering the catchment from Mimosa Street, - Nature play items to provide a connection to the restored natural elements of the site - New gym station for active recreation - Park furniture to provide pause points to enjoy the riparian area. - Improved pedestrian connection to the existing shared regional pathway along the Duck River.
$313,920 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Merrylands 2160About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
21/10/2025What was approved
Approved for Georges River Council
Council has commenced the development of the Peakhurst Park Spatial Framework to guide the future management of this regionally significant open space within the Southern District of the Sydney Green Grid. The spatial framework has identified an opportunity for new off-road biking facility and youth zone within the eastern area of the park. With sufficient funding, Council will engage a suitable designer to prepare a detailed design and tender documentation to enable for construction within 24 months following the design phase. Council’s Open Space, Recreation and Community Facilities Strategy has identified the need for more youth-orientated facilities, including provision for riding and rolling. The design will consider best practices and recommendations from the new DPHI’s Everyone Can Play and Adventurous Spaces Guidelines (draft). The design scope will consider: • Mountain Bike / BMX trail(s) utilising the existing hills and landscaped embankment. • A youth zone with provisions for multisport courts, ball games and parkour • Passive spaces and complementary landscaping
$110,000 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Hurstville 2220About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
21/10/2025What was approved
Approved for Hornsby Shire Council
The North Epping Fitness Trail will provide opportunities for the North Epping and Epping community to undertake exercise and recreation in a safe way outdoors. The fitness trail will facilitate recreation through walking, jogging and exercise equipment provision along a trail that connects from North Epping Oval to Lane Cove National Park. The trail will provide improved access and increased awareness through educational and wayfinding signage of the regional open space. Specifically, the trail will include a 2m wide concrete pedestrian path that will link to exercise equipment pods. The path will be 420m long around North Epping Oval and extend to surrounding streets to link through to the existing trails in the Lane Cove National Park. The total circuit will be close to 1km when fully completed.
$150,000 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Hornsby 2077About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
21/10/2025What was approved
Approved for Inner West Council
Mackey Park has been frequently impacted by flooding and erosion affecting the sporting field and recreational areas. A small raingarden was constructed over a decade ago in the South-Eastern end of the park. This raingarden has been effective in treating stormwater runoff from the field. However, it has fallen into disrepair and expansion is needed to accommodate the large volume of water flooding the sports field. To alleviate these issues, plans were made for a larger wetland incorporating the raingarden in the new Mackey Park Plan of Management. This idea has been expanded to incorporate Aboriginal knowledge of the area, recognise lost, iconic environments, and improve community connection with nature. As such, the project has been named ‘Gumbramorra Swamp Recreation’ after the traditional placename for the swamp that was formally throughout the entire Marrickville suburb. The current raingarden will be expanded from 900 m2 to a reconstructed wetland and bushland area of over 4,800 m2. Plants will be carefully selected to ensure they represent the lost Gumbramorra plant communities, and a raised boardwalk and platform is included in the project. This boardwalk will be named the “Reconciliation Walk”. This will support key objectives in the Inner West Reconciliation Action Plan such as enhancing Aboriginal cultural visibility and acknowledging the historical and current injustices facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Education surrounding the wetland and walk will focus on how the land was before colonisation, and the historical uses of the land by the Wangal and Gadigal peoples. It will be a place for reflection and meditation, as well as a space for community to come together and experience the habitats now lost to the surrounding area. This will foster a connection between residents, their local environment, and promote an understanding that this always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
$639,000 was approved by
Minister for planning and public spacesDate approved
July 2024Location of the project
NSWLocation of the recipient
Petersham 2049About the grant
Applications approved
9
Applications received
15
Metropolitan Greenspace Program 2023-2024
Program term
29/05/2026