The Minns Labor Government is investing $40 million to upgrade local parks, sports fields, swimming spots, and town squares in communities delivering the highest housing growth across the state through the Better Open Spaces Program.
As more homes, jobs and infrastructure is delivered it is also important that people living in growing communities have access to quality public spaces.
Importantly the highest housing growth areas will be prioritised for funding with projects set to be ranked based on the number of new home approvals in each Local Government Area during the National Housing Accord period.
Round 1 is now open, making up to $36 million available to councils across Greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, Central Coast, Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle, and the top 10 highest-performing regional LGAs for housing construction approvals.
Councils can apply for up to two grants each, ranging from $150,000 to $2 million and must also fully match the funding received. The remaining $4 million will be allocated under Round 2.
This is another example of the Minns Labor Government building better communities by pairing homes with high-quality open spaces, transport connections, jobs and essential community infrastructure.
Grants will fund construction-ready projects across three categories, including:
Parks and sports fields – upgrading facilities such as play spaces, tracks for walking/cycling/skating, fitness areas, off-leash dog areas, multi-purpose courts, picnic shelters, and BBQ areas.
Swim sites – improving open spaces located near waterways, beaches, foreshores, and riverfronts.
Town squares and civic plazas – improving central community open spaces.
After being ranked on housing growth project will be assessed against value for money, deliverability, inclusive design, and strategic alignment.
The three-year program will require councils to begin work on their funded projects by mid-2027 and complete them by mid-2029.
