NSW govt gets 'champion' for public spaces

The NSW Premier has announced there will be a new minister in charge of expanding the state's parks and gardens and increasing Sydney's green spaces.

There will be a new minister in the NSW government in charge of protecting publicly owned land and expanding the state's parks, gardens and open spaces.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday announced a new Minister for Public Spaces who will be responsible for identifying and protecting existing government-owned land that should be preserved as parkland or public space.

"Access to green and open space is crucial for communities to thrive," Ms Berejiklian said in a statement.

The "champion for public spaces" will also ensure there is sufficient open space across NSW and that public spaces are welcoming and attractive.

The NSW government will also provide $150 million to secure new parks to be developed across Sydney and to improve the quality of existing parks.

Legislation will also be strengthened to ensure Crown land reserved for recreational purposes cannot be sold, leased or change purpose without approval by the minister.

The announcement takes the NSW government's existing open spaces funding to $340 million.


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Source: AAP



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