The elements that make our neighbourhoods distinctive, liveable and valued need to be at the core of our planning as the Inner West continues to grow. As an inner-city area, the density of the existing built environment and high land prices limit our ability to provide new open space. Council is looking at innovative solutions to provide the additional facilities and areas to keep the community active and healthy. A Blue-Green Grid is one such way this can be achieved.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how important access to parks, bushland, and recreation facilities are to the local community. This project responds to the greater demand for access to high quality public spaces.

The Blue-Green Grid will provide a healthier urban and natural environment, improve community access to recreation and exercise, encourage social interaction and support walking and cycling connections across the Inner West.

• Conservation and increased biodiversity and access to nature
• Enhanced value and connectivity of habitats
• Promotion of urban greening
• Promotion of active living and healthy lifestyles
• Improvement in sustainable transport connections and opportunities
• Promotion of and access to areas of heritage and cultural significance
• Adaptation to climate extremes, improving the resilience of the urban environment and the local community

This project covers the entire Inner West.

The Inner West Local Strategic Planning Statement (2020) included a number of key priorities and actions relevant to the development of a Blue-Green Grid. Of most relevance:

• Action 3.3: Develop a Blue/Green Grid Strategy to protect and increase habitat and the urban forest, embed water sensitive urban design principles and prioritise the routes based on function and connectivity.

Developing a Strategy and delivering green grid connections is included as a planning priority in the NSW Government’s Greater Sydney Region Plan and the Eastern City District Plan.