Open space | Planning

Australians love the outdoors. It’s where we play, relax and connect.

Our focus is building, improving and promoting open space that the communities of NSW use as a part of everyday life. We aim to build spaces that are inclusive, safe, comfortable and enjoyable.

Our programs are focused on delivering 2 important Premier's priorities that will help make NSW a more resilient and liveable place:

provide greater access to quality, green, open and public spaces closer to homes
increase the tree canopy by planting 5 million trees by 2030.

Mother and child laughing and smiling at a playground.

Everyone Can Play

The Everyone Can Play program is the declaration that play is for everyone, regardless of age, ability or cultural background. We follow the 3 principles of Everyone Can Play – ‘can I get there’, ‘can I play’ and ‘can I stay’ – to create more inclusive play spaces.

Walking along Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe, Sydney. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Salty Dingo

The Greater Sydney Outdoors Study

We’re using findings from the Greater Sydney Outdoors Study to provide more of the types of public spaces Sydneysiders want.

View of Sydney Harbour Bridge from Dr Mary Booth Reserve, Kirribilli, Sydney. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Salty Dingo

Greening our city

Join your community in greening your local area and register any trees, big or small, that you plant.

Small group enjoying a cycle around Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo. Credit: Destination NSW

NSW Regional Outdoor Survey

The NSW Regional Outdoor Survey provides information on what regional communities love and want in the great outdoors.

A group fitness class at Sydney Park in Alexandria NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment / Sarah Rhodes

Parks for People

We are delivering the $50 million Parks for People Program to improve the community’s access to high-quality open space.

A birds-eye view of Nicholson Park, Woonona. Credit: NSW Department of Planning and Environment

Synthetic turf

We are working closely with councils, industry and government agencies to create guidelines to help make decisions on the use of synthetic turf.

Find out more by contacting our team at [email protected]