Great public spaces
Please stay safe and visit the NSW Government website for the latest information on COVID-19.
Quality green, open and public spaces are important to everyone. They are our free parks, gardens and sports fields, walkable shady streets, libraries, museums and galleries, which form the heart of our communities. Our public spaces make life more welcoming and accessible. They delight and connect people. They support our health and well-being, environmental resilience and prosperous local economies. They’re at the heart of everyday life.
People with access to green and public places are healthier and happier than those who don’t. For many people in NSW living without a lush backyard, the parks and green spaces in our towns and cities are vital to maintain both physical and mental health.
Public spaces are all places publicly owned or of public use, accessible and enjoyable by all for free. They include our open spaces, public facilities and streets. Read our Streets and Shared Spaces - ideas and opportunities (PDF 2.5MB) on what makes a great street.
To help you find a local public space in your area, visit our ePlanning Spatial Viewer. The public spaces layer shows the location of known open spaces and public facilities across NSW.
Communities across NSW are using public spaces differently as a result of COVID-19, to ensure safe physical distancing alongside the ability to exercise. Have your say about how you value and are using public space during this time.
Open space
Open spaces are where people can relax, exercise, play and enjoy the natural environment. We’re investing in Open Space projects so everyone can enjoy public spaces close to our homes.
Public facilities
Free and publicly accessible spaces are where communities can learn, share ideas and engage in cultural experiences. Discover what digital activities they're offering during COVID-19.
Streets
Streets are our neighbourhood, towns and cities' connectors. They provide places where people can be healthy, socialise and add vitality to neighbourhoods. Share your ideas to make your local streets and public spaces better.
We want to hear your great ideas on how to transform public space across Greater Sydney. We are presenting partners for the inaugural Public Spaces Ideas Competition with the Committee for Sydney. Open from 20 July – 28 August, we invite you to submit your exciting idea.
To find out more, and to get involved, head to the PSIC website
To achieve the Premiers Priority ‘Greener Public Spaces’ target we are delivering a range of exciting projects across NSW, including eight new and improved parks across Sydney, along with co-funding inclusive play spaces through the Everyone Can Play program with local Councils.
In 2020 we are also working closely with six Councils – three each from Sydney and regional NSW – to deliver public space projects focused on improving walkable access, and the quality of open spaces, public facilities and streets. The Councils are:
- Blacktown City Council
- Burwood City Council
- City of Sydney
- Liverpool City Council
- Penrith City Council
- Wagga Wagga City Council
A rolling program of demonstration projects with other Councils is planned for the future.
