Draft Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Strategy

The Strategy covers:

•    New parks and outdoor recreation spaces in growth and renewal areas;
•    Upgrades, expansion, renewal and reconfiguration of existing open space and outdoor recreation facilities;
•    Open space and outdoor recreation outcomes secured through planning proposals, precinct plans, contributions plans and voluntary planning agreements;
•    Strategic directions for future planning, provision, embellishment and management of open space and outdoor recreation facilities; and
•    Partnerships, advocacy and open space shared-use arrangements 

The Strategy does not cover:

•    Aquatic and leisure centres
•    Indoor and outdoor formal sports facilities
•    Community buildings and halls 
•    State-managed regional parks (Parramatta Park and Sydney Olympic Park) or land not controlled by Council 
•    Detailed bushland and heritage conservation management plans
•    Site-specific masterplans or voluntary planning agreements (VAPs)
•    Day-to-day operational matters relating to individual outdoor spaces or recreation facilities.

The Strategy includes a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and measure whether it is delivering better outcomes for our open spaces and outdoor recreation areas.

Progress will be measured across key areas such as:

•    Access to open space, including the percentage of residents within walking distance of local open space.
•    Accessibility and inclusion, including whether major upgrades achieve universal access outcomes.
•    Tree canopy and shade, including canopy coverage and shade along key paths, play spaces, seating and gathering areas.
•    Urban heat, including heat exposure, surface temperatures and thermal comfort in open spaces.
•    Biodiversity and environmental outcomes.
•    Water Sensitive Urban Design performance.
•    Planning for growth, including whether open space provision keeps pace with growing and changing communities.

These measures will help Council monitor progress over time and identify where further improvement or investment may be needed. For more information, see page 92 of the draft Strategy. 

The strategic actions and priorities identified will primarily be implemented progressively over the life of the Strategy. Their timing and delivery will be influenced by community needs, population growth, land availability, feasibility, project readiness, funding availability, lifecycle implications and Council’s annual planning and budgeting processes.

Individual projects will progress through the appropriate level of investigation, feasibility assessment, master planning, funding approval and detailed design before implementation.

Open space is essential community infrastructure and will be funded and delivered through an integrated suite of mechanisms comprising:

• Council capital works programs and asset renewal;
• Development contributions plans under the Environmental Planning and Assessment framework;
• Voluntary planning agreements (VPAs);
• Land dedication and strategic acquisition;
• State and Australian Government infrastructure and grant programs;
• Joint delivery and co-location partnerships;
• Precinct, corridor and master planning;
• Developer delivery of new parks and public domain infrastructure;
• Shared-use arrangements with schools, agencies and other landholders; and
• Partnership delivery linked to transport, utility, education and public-domain projects.

For more information, see page 88 of the draft Strategy.