News in brief

O’Farrell threatens local planning: Shoebridge

Legislation to be pushed through NSW Parliament this week will undermine the NSW planning system and breaks Premier Barry O’Farrell’s promise to return planning powers to local communities, according to NSW Greens MP and Planning Spokesperson David Shoebridge. “These pro-developer laws will wipe out most heritage and environmental protections that local communities have put in place,” said Mr Shoebridge. “Some of the most precious parts of Sydney’s heritage from the Rocks, to Paddington and Parramatta face bring carved up by developers if these changes become law … Barry O’Farrell said he would ‘return planning powers to the community’ and ‘give communities a say again in the shape of their community’.  This is a promise he has now broken.”

Urban forest grows

Sydney is expected to become greener and leafier under the City of Sydney’s new Urban Forest Strategy. The City announced this week that it would grow its urban forest and green canopy by up to 50 per cent by 2030 to maximise environmental, economic and social benefits to the community. “Our growing urban forest contributes greatly to the city’s character, as well as improving our air, soil and water quality,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. There are currently about 81,000 trees in the City of Sydney area, which provide a canopy cover of approximately 15 per cent. Under the Urban Forest Strategy, this would increase to more than 23 per cent by 2030.

City up for green award

The City of Sydney Council has been short listed for a prestigious environmental award. The council is a finalist in the sustainable government category of the International Green Awards, which will be held in London on November 20. The City of Sydney joins the City of Philadelphia, Songapu Office, the Water Replenishment District (California), and the Dublin Fire Brigade as finalists. “The City of Sydney’s nomination for an International Green Award is recognition of the important work we are doing to make our city environmentally sustainable,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. Sydney is officially recognised as Australia’s first carbon neutral government.