Good news for Sydney's green future

After years of advocacy, an important part of our vision for a greener Sydney is becoming reality.

It follows the release of the Sydney Plan earlier this year, where the Blue-Green Grid was recognised as an essential part of Sydney's future.

The NSW Government has announced a major step towards delivering the Blue-Green Grid, a connected network of parks, waterways and green corridors that my team and I have championed for many years.

This article explains what has been announced, why it matters for Sydney's future, and where we go from here.

On 8 July 2026, the NSW Government announced an important step towards creating a greener, healthier Sydney by establishing a Blue-Green Grid Committee to guide the strategic expansion of parks, waterways and green corridors across our city. You can read the NSW Government's media release.

The establishment of a Blue-Green Grid Committee marks growing recognition that parks, waterways and green corridors are essential infrastructure for a growing city. Alongside this, the Government announced the permanent protection of 28 hectares of public open space along the Duck River Corridor and proposed a long-term funding model expected to support more than 300 hectares of additional parkland across Greater Sydney. While the Duck River project has been a long-term government initiative, these commitments demonstrate growing investment in the broader Blue-Green Grid vision.

This is an important milestone for us.

It reflects years of advocacy by environmental organisations, councils, planners, researchers and communities who have argued that Sydney must grow in a way that protects nature and improves quality of life.

A vision for a greener Sydney

For many years, TEC has championed the Blue Green Grid: a connected network of parks, bushland, waterways and tree canopy stretching across Greater Sydney.

Our vision is simple: Nature should be planned into Sydney's future, not squeezed out by development.

As our city grows, green infrastructure is every bit as important as roads, schools and public transport.

A connected Blue-Green Grid will help:

• protect wildlife habitat (for example, koala corridors in the Sydney Basin)
• reduce urban heat
• improve physical and mental health
• connect communities with parks and waterways
• encourage walking and cycling
• build resilience to climate change
• ensure everyone has access to quality public open space.

The TEC team has long advocated for this approach through our Blue-Green Grid campaign, which sets out a practical vision for creating a connected network of parks, waterways and green corridors across Greater Sydney. We have persistently campaigned by:

• Meeting with ministers and senior staff directly
• Attending parliamentary hearings (resulting in strong recommendations)
• Discussions with councils (developing local Blue-Green Grid plans) 
• Urging decision makers to ensure new development proposals protect green space and wildlife
• Supporting local community efforts

Read the Blue-Green Grid campaign and plan:

Why the Blue-Green Grid matters for Sydney

Sydney continues to become denser.

Without careful planning, that growth can mean fewer trees, fragmented habitat and less access to quality green space.

The Committee for Sydney's July 2026 report Breathable Density highlights the importance of planning cities that integrate green infrastructure with higher-density development. The report demonstrates that parks, tree canopy and connected waterways reduce urban heat, improve health outcomes, support biodiversity and make neighbourhoods more liveable.

These are exactly the outcomes the Blue-Green Grid seeks to achieve.

What's next for Sydney's Blue-Green Grid

The Government's announcement is more than the creation of a new committee.

The report reinforces that connected green infrastructure is essential if Sydney is to accommodate growth while remaining healthy, resilient and liveable.

The Committee for Sydney's Breathable Density report, released in July 2026, reinforces the need to integrate green infrastructure with future housing growth. It concludes that connected parks, tree canopy and waterways are essential for reducing urban heat, improving health, supporting biodiversity and creating more liveable neighbourhoods.

Read the Committee for Sydney report, Breathable Density (July 2026)

Now the focus must shift from planning to delivery

The establishment of the Committee is an important beginning, but the Blue-Green Grid must now be translated into practical planning decisions across the entire Sydney Basin. The vision needs to be consistently applied so that parks, waterways, tree canopy and wildlife corridors are protected wherever development occurs.

Recent development proposals at locations such as Callan Park and the former Kogarah Golf Course demonstrate why continued vigilance is needed. The Blue-Green Grid will only succeed if its principles are embedded in planning decisions, not treated as aspirations.

Creating a connected Blue-Green Grid will require long-term investment, strong planning protections and ongoing collaboration across government, councils, communities and environmental organisations.

Our focus now is ensuring the Blue-Green Grid is consistently applied across Greater Sydney through stronger planning rules, protection of mature trees and waterways, connected wildlife corridors, meaningful community involvement in its implementation, and long-term investment in green infrastructure. 

We also believe the Committee will be stronger if it includes independent environmental and community representatives, ensuring decisions benefit from a broad range of expertise and on-the-ground experience.

We will continue advocating for:

• stronger protection of existing green spaces
• increased urban tree canopy
• healthier waterways
• connected wildlife corridors
• equitable access to parks and public open space
• long-term investment in green infrastructure

Thank you

Environmental progress is built over years, not weeks.

It takes evidence, collaboration, community support and persistent advocacy.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Total Environment Centre's work to create a greener Sydney.

This announcement is an important step forward. Together, we can help ensure the Blue-Green Grid becomes a lasting legacy for future generations.

Help us keep building a greener Sydney.

References

• NSW Government Ministerial Media Release (8 July 2026)
  
• TEC Blue-Green Grid Campaign
  
• Committee for Sydney – Breathable Density (July 2026)
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sydney's Blue-Green Grid?

The Blue-Green Grid is a long-term vision to create a connected network of parks, bushland, waterways and tree canopy across Greater Sydney. It aims to improve access to nature, reduce urban heat, support biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and create healthier, more liveable communities as the city grows.

What did the NSW Government announce?

On 8 July 2026, the NSW Government announced the establishment of a Blue-Green Grid Committee to guide the delivery of the Blue-Green Grid across Sydney. The announcement also includes the permanent protection of 28 hectares of public open space along the Duck River Corridor and a proposed long-term funding model expected to support more than 300 hectares of additional parkland across Greater Sydney.

Why the Blue-Green Grid matters for Sydney?

As Sydney grows, green infrastructure is just as important as housing, transport and other essential services. Connected parks, waterways and tree canopy help reduce urban heat, improve physical and mental health, support wildlife, reduce flood risk and make neighbourhoods more resilient and liveable.

What is Total Environment Centre's role?

For many years, Total Environment Centre has advocated for a connected Blue-Green Grid through policy development, planning submissions, community engagement and collaboration with councils, researchers and local environment groups. Earlier this year, we also encouraged supporters to make submissions to the NSW Government's draft Sydney Plan to help strengthen protections for Sydney's green spaces.

Does this mean the Blue-Green Grid will now be delivered?

The announcement is an important milestone, but it is only the beginning. Delivering the Blue-Green Grid will require long-term investment, coordinated planning, stronger protections for parks, waterways and tree canopy, and ongoing commitment from governments, communities and environmental organisations.

How will the Blue-Green Grid benefit Sydney?

A connected Blue-Green Grid will help create cooler suburbs, healthier waterways, more wildlife habitat, improved walking and cycling connections, greater access to parks and better resilience to climate change. It will also improve the health and wellbeing of people living across Greater Sydney.

What's next for Sydney's Blue-Green Grid?

The focus now shifts from planning to implementation. Total Environment Centre will continue working with government, councils and communities to ensure the Blue-Green Grid is embedded in planning decisions, adequately funded and delivered for current and future generations.

How can I support the Blue-Green Grid?

Community support has been critical in advancing the Blue-Green Grid. You can help by staying informed, sharing this story, supporting Total Environment Centre's advocacy and making a donation to help us continue building a greener Sydney.