Commitments to open space portection needed in NSW election campaign

Wednesday, 14 March 2007 01:38

TEC director Mr Jeff Angel said “With Sydney’s population expected to grow by 1.1 million over the next 25 years and strong population growth in regional areas, increased population densities will make provision of parklands and recreational areas crucial to maintaining our quality of life. We are yet to see, however, any clear vision put forward for open space in the State Election”.

TEC has identified shortcomings in current open space strategies including the failure of the recent Metropolitan Strategy open space audit to distinguish between areas that are accessible and useable and those that are not and a lack of clear targets for open space provision in new urban release areas.

“Determining open space needs for a growing population and providing adequate funding for purchasing and maintaining parkland will be key responsibilities in the next term of government. It is vital that all sides of politics give clear commitments to protect and maintain public open space”.

TEC has also called all sides of politics to commit to a number of key open space initiatives including:

• A new audit of current open space to give a clear indication of publicly available and useable open space.

• Assessment of per capita open space needs for Sydney and establishment of clear open space targets in the Metro Strategy.

• Identification of native vegetation and remnant bushland requiring protection.

• Protection of public access to foreshore areas.

• Expansion of existing funds for open space acquisition. 

• Converting surplus publicly owned land with open space potential to parks.

• Guaranteed application of portions of developer levies to open space.

• Restoration of urban streams to improve open space and environmental values.