Open Space & Recreation
Inner Sydney has the highest density residential areas in NSW with the lowest level of open space per person. We cannot afford to continue losing our green space for recreation, sport and the environment.
The City's Open Space and Recreation Needs Study in 2006 found the City local government area has 377 hectares of open space or 2.36 hectares per 1000 residents. As a comparison, the common benchmark is 2.4 hectares per 1000 people. New York has 1.8 hectares per 1000 people, San Francisco has 3.1 hectares per 1000 people and City of Melbourne has 7.38 hectares per 1000 people.
Public open space is essential in the inner city, where most residents live in terrace houses and apartments without backyards. Our parks promote health through exercise and relaxation, foster community and cultural links, and proved environmental benefits.
I have a long history defending public land and promoting new parks and foreshore reserves. I am the only Member of Parliament consistently defending our major city parklands, speaking out against the sell offs, alienation and commercialisation routinely inflicted on our precious public resources such as the Centennial and Moore Parklands, and the Botanic Gardens and Domain.
As State member, I supported Paddington residents' campaign for the park at the former Royal Hospital for Women site and campaiigned to have Woollahra Council save White City for open recreational space.
As Sydney Lord Mayor, I have made open space a priority: we are spending more than $100 million greening Sydney by expanding our urban forest with new parks and upgrading existing green space. The vision includes over 70 separate projects ranging from upgraded community playgrounds, parks, ovals and landscaping to the creation of new parks throughout the city.
Our major new recreation projects include the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo and Redfern Park and Oval, now under construction, and the new Green Square Pool and Recreation Centre, now in the planning stages.
In 2006 the City planted over 2,000 advanced trees in the city, adding to the 780 new street trees were planted the previous year.
Recent related information:
City South Community Forum: The City South Community Forum, for residents of Alexandria, Beaconsfield, Green Square, Rosebery, St Peters and Zetland, on Wednesday 30 August will include updates on sustainability initiatives... (20/08/2010)
Energy Australia Kiosks: Residents have contacted me with concerns about the electrical kiosks Energy Australia is installing throughout the City's local government area. Up to... (20/08/2010)
Chinatown Public Domain Plan Endorsed: The Chinatown Public Domain Plan, unanimously endorsed by Council's Environment and Heritage Committee on Monday, will improve the public domain, encourage festivals and events... (13/08/2010)
Large Events to Remain Unchecked in the Entertainment Quarter: The Minister for Planning has refused to review and amend the Entertainment Quarter Masterplan to require promoters to get development approval for large outdoor events... (13/08/2010)
Barangaroo: Following extensive review by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority (BDA), Lend Lease today submitted its amended Concept Plan for Barangaroo South to the Department of Planning for assessment... (30/07/2010)
City Celebrates National Tree Day: The City will celebrate National Tree Day this weekend by giving away over 2000 Australian native plants tomorrow, with tree plantings in Sydney Park and Glebe on Sunday... (30/07/2010)
Progress at Prince Alfred Park: The first extensive renewal of Prince Alfred Park in 50 years is underway. Despite heavy rain in recent weeks, the new grass is thriving, the re-surfaced... (30/07/2010)
Sustainable Sydney 2030 Reporting Day: Town Hall Vestibule—Thank you, and welcome, everyone. I would like firstly to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of this land... (21/07/2010)
Gardens of Stone Vandalism: A recent report by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness shows underground mining is causing catastrophic damage in the Gardens of Stone, which adjoin the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area... (16/07/2010)
Government responsibility for public lands - Moore Park: Urgent request to the Premier to ensure that discussions about the future of public lands and assets are public, no further erosion of open space at Centennial and Moore Parks be stopped... (9/07/2010)
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