Have your say on our greening Sydney strategy
We’d like your feedback on a proposed new strategy to green Sydney and create a cool, calm and resilient city.
Project Status: Closed
The greening Sydney strategy was adopted by Council in July 2021.
Public consultation period to
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Trees, plants and the natural environment are a city’s life support system. A greener Sydney will improve our health and wellbeing, reduce the impact of heat, and bring nature into the city.
What we’re doing
This proposed strategy outlines how we’ll be a cool, calm and resilient city by increasing greening and sharing its benefits with our communities.
In 2019, we spoke to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, children and young people, residents, businesses, workers and visitors about their vision for the future.
A city that is environmentally responsive and green with trees and plants were key priorities.
We’ve taken insights from communities, government, and industry to develop this strategy.
This strategy outlines 6 directions, and 20 supporting actions. It builds on what we have already achieved and sets ambitious new targets to green our city.
Directions and actions at a glance
Direction 1 – Turn grey to green
We’ll achieve new targets, green our laneways and harness innovation and technology to green our city. We’ll increase overall green cover to 40% across the local area, including a minimum of 27% tree canopy by 2050.
Green cover targets
| Property type | Existing green cover 2019 | Proposed green cover 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Streets | 33% | 39% |
| Parks | 80% | 86% |
| Property | 20% | 28% |
| Total | 32% | 40% |
Canopy cover targets
| Property type | Existing canopy cover 2019 | Proposed canopy cover 2050 |
|---|---|---|
| Streets | 25% | 34% |
| Parks | 31% | 46% |
| Property | 12% | 20% |
| Total | 18% | 27% |
Direction 2 – Greening for all
The benefits of greening will be shared with our communities including fair access to spaces, climate adaptation and locally grown food.
Direction 3 – Cool and calm spaces
To support the mental and physical wellbeing of our communities, we’ll target hot spots in the city and provide calm and healthy spaces, and celebrate Sydney’s special connection with water.
Direction 4 – Greener buildings
We’ll encourage greener buildings through a green factor score, updating our green roof and wall policy, and planning controls.
Direction 5 – Nature in the city
We’ll be guided by the knowledge of Aboriginal peoples who have cared for this Country for thousands of years. We’ll create more habitat for wildlife through urban ecology health checks and by strengthening urban nature protection measures in our planning controls.
Direction 6 – Greening together
We’ll green our city together by developing a greening Sydney fund, increasing community engagement and community participation programs.
Find out more
Read the proposed strategy and explore the data in more detail with our data story map.
Our data story map includes activities for schools or community groups to participate in.
You can also download an activity kit for your school or community group.
Greening Sydney strategy (draft)PDF · 4.25 MB · Last modified
Activity kitPDF · 11.74 MB · Last modified
How you can give feedback
Consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 24 May 2021.
There are a few ways you can provide feedback:
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Take our survey
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Data story map and activity pack feedback
Use our data story map or activity pack to give feedback from your community group, school, family or neighbours.
Email your work to [email protected].
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Email your feedback
You can also give feedback by email to [email protected]
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Talk to us
Feedback may be published in publicly available reports at the end of the consultation period. Your name or organisation’s name may appear in these reports with your feedback attributed. If you would like your feedback to be kept confidential, please let us know when providing your feedback.