The Metropolitan Greenspace Program helps create liveable places, great neighbourhoods, and build sustainable communities. The program delivers a network of high-quality green spaces that link town centres, public transport hubs, and major residential areas.
Grant funding is provided to councils in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast for projects that improve and increase access to open spaces.
Did you know it's the longest-running open space grants program, having started in 1983? Since 1990, over $56 million has been provided to more than 680 projects.
Grants are offered on a dollar-for-dollar basis for capital and planning works. Eligible capital works projects include shared pedestrian and cycle pathways, new or improved parks and open spaces, improved signage and accessibility. Eligible planning projects include open space plans, plans of management and master plans that will lead to capital works.
To be eligible, councils must demonstrate they can match the grant funding and that the open space project will contribute to the Sydney or Central Coast Green Grid.
Funding for the program comes from the Sydney Region Development Fund, which is administered by the Office of Strategic Lands.
2024–2025 applications are open
The 2024-2025 round of grant funding for the Metropolitan Greenspace Program is open.
All councils in the Greater Sydney region and Central Coast Council are eligible and encouraged to apply by 31 March 2025.
A total of $4 million is available to help councils deliver projects that increase access to public open space and contribute to the improvement of the Sydney and Central Coast Green Grids.
Read the Metropolitan Greenspace Program Guidelines 2024-2025 for more information about the 2024-2025 round.
Successful applicants will be announced in June 2025.
2023–24 grants
The 2023-24 grant round awarded $3 million to 8 councils for 9 projects.
The 9 projects will help provide 31,634 homes with access to open space within a 10-minute (800 m) walk.
For more information about the program, read the Metropolitan Greenspace Program Grant program guidelines (PDF, 984 KB).
2022–23 grants
The 2022-23 grant round awarded $2.82 million to 11 councils for 11 projects. The funding will support 29,098 homes with access to open space within a 10-minute (800 m) walk.
Previous grant projects
Grant project maps for previous funding rounds:
- 2023–24 grants round – council project funding (PDF, 2.7 MB)
- 2022–23 grants round – council project funding (PDF, 3.7 MB)
- 2021–22 grants round – council project funding (PDF, 8.2 MB)
- 2020–21 grants round – council project funding (JPG, 1.3 MB)
- 2019–20 grants round – council project funding (PDF, 707 KB)
More information
For more information email [email protected]