Media Releases

While the NSW government’s 5 million tree plan for Sydney is a step in the right direction – it won’t achieve its 40% canopy target unless existing trees on private and public land are protected, Total Environment Centre said today.

The NSW Premier has announced a new green spaces policy today including new funding, with future programs in the wings.  The policy is being interpreted as a response to Sydney’s “liveability” crisis by TEC and dozens of community groups that have been campaigning for a halt to the decimation of thousands of trees and many parks in recent years.

There is no Sydney community less able to defend itself, or more in need of staying connected than Sydney’s Koala community right now, Total Environment Centre said today. Is there any space for Koalas in the Greater Sydney Commission’s new ‘Western City District Plan: Connecting Communities’ plan?

NICE MOVE TOWARDS GREENER SYDNEY – BUT IS IT ENOUGH? The Office of the NSW Government Architect today released its new Greener Places Draft Policy in a bid to address community concerns about significant losses of urban tree canopy and green spaces, by guaranteeing smarter planning, across Sydney.

The government will have to work hard work to overcome community cynicism about its plan for Western Sydney bushland in the face of major urban development, is the key message from TEC’s forum Last Chance for Western Sydney Bushland,  attended by over 150 residents and Local Councillors on Nov 16.  

As concern for the future character and natural beauty of Western Sydney mounts, residents and community groups will gain access to critical information tomorrow night, Thursday 16 November, at a forum to discuss the NSW Department of Planning’s Western Sydney Strategic Sustainability Plan.  

Social and environmental infrastructure must have the same legal support as development, Total Environment Centre said today, in reference to the draft Greater Sydney Region Plan.  

Ignoring the widespread concern of a range of stakeholders, the Berejiklian Government will introduce its disastrous tree clearing laws tomorrow, even before essential components, such as regulatory mapping, have been completed.

The Total Environment Centre has initiated a powerful new network of communities concerned about the growing assault on our green spaces, which kicked off with an SOS Green Spaces Forum on April 1. 

The need to urgently modernise energy market regulation in Australia has been identified by thirteen environmental groups and local government bodies in a submission to the Commonwealth’s Finkel review into energy security.