Central Coast Council has welcomed an announcement that the State Government has made $3.25M available to select councils, including ours, for open space projects to improve liveability.
Councils in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast can apply for their share of the money from the Metropolitan Greenspace Program (MGP).
Eligible projects include playgrounds, walking tracks, pedestrian and cycleways, bushland restoration and recreation facilities.
The MGP commenced under the Wran Government in 1983 and since 1990, more than $56M has been provided to more than 681 projects.
An independent panel of experts will assess applications against each program’s key objectives.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said it was vital to keep investing in green and open spaces across Greater Sydney and the Central Coast.
“Greater Sydney and the Central Coast are growing, and while we’re focused on making sure we provide enough of the right kind of housing to suit everybody’s needs, we need to complement this with the right infrastructure including green, open public space,” he said.
“I’m excited to see fresh ideas and plans from councils to help connect residential areas with even more high-quality parklands and public spaces.”
Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said green space was important for community health and wellbeing.
“I am pleased that the Central Coast will be able to access and benefit from this great program,” he said.
“Our unique environment and green space is one of the main reasons people love living on the Coast and we need to ensure it is protected and enhanced for our growing population.”
A spokesperson said Council welcomed government funding which could help contribute to enhancing the liveability and green spaces on the Central Coast, as well as complement and add to the existing projects Council funded.
“Council will be reviewing the eligibility criteria for this new grant funding,” the spokesperson said.