The Committee will guide the strategic expansion of Sydney's public open space and parklands network, connecting the city's iconic regional parklands for generations to come.
As a first step, the Minns Labor Government will transfer 28 hectares of surplus land along the Duck River Corridor, straddling Auburn and Granville, from the Office of Strategic Lands to Cumberland City Council.
This land will be permanently protected as public open space. It is one of Sydney's most significant unconnected green grid links, joining communities, waterways and open space through the geographic heart of the city.
Until now, the Corridor has existed as a series of separate landholdings, making it difficult to plan, manage or improve as a single, connected space.
Bringing it under one owner means the Corridor can finally be planned and delivered as a whole, rather than in disconnected pieces.
The transfer follows Cumberland City Council's Duck River Parkland Masterplan 2022. By bringing the land under one owner for the first time, it clears the way for a connected regional parkland stretching from the Auburn Botanic Gardens through to sporting and community facilities to significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.
It also opens the door to coordinated planning, ecological restoration and public access along the full length of the corridor.
Chaired by Greater Sydney Parklands CEO, Joshua French, the Committee brings together the Office of Strategic Lands, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and major landowners Transport for NSW and Sydney Water. It will advise government on future land acquisitions to build a connected blue-green grid across Sydney.
Subject to passage of the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026, reforms to the Greater Sydney Parklands Act will set up a long-term sustainable funding model which is expected to support more than 300 hectares of additional parkland.
Greater Sydney Parklands currently manages more than 6,000 hectares of regionally significant state-owned urban parklands, including Centennial Parklands, Callan Park, Parramatta Park, Western Sydney Parklands and Fernhill Estate.
These reforms create a framework to expand this model and deliver more public open space for a growing population.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:
"As Sydney continues to grow, we are making sure people have access to high-quality public open space, connected parklands and places to enjoy nature.
"The Blue-Green Grid Committee will help drive a coordinated vision for Sydney, bringing together expertise across government to deliver connected green corridors and access to open space that we all deserve, no matter where we live.
"These reforms will also provide a sustainable funding stream for Greater Sydney Parklands, driving a program of future parkland expansion helping to create a greener and more liveable Sydney for generations to come."
Member for Auburn, Lynda Voltz said:
"It is great to see that our important public spaces such as the Botanic Gardens are protected as part of the Blue Green Corridor.
"Many residents will be surprised that this site was a jigsaw puzzle of land holdings and handing the title to local council, who has invested so much to build the Auburn Botanic Gardens, just makes sense.
"As housing grows in all parts of Sydney, including Auburn, every piece of open space matters."
Member for Granville, Julia Finn said:
"This is a fantastic outcome for families across Granville, South Granville and Guildford who have long deserved better access to connected, high-quality public open space.
"By consolidating land along Duck River, we can finally make the most of this hidden gem, an interconnected, continuous green space where our community walks, cycles, picnics and plays sport.
"Instead of fragmented parcels of land, we can finally make it easier for local families to enjoy nature, improve walking and cycling connections, and protect this precious green space for future generations."
Greater Sydney Parklands Chief Executive, Joshua French said:
"We welcome the establishment of the Blue-Green Grid Committee, which will help drive a long-term vision for connected parklands, waterways, and green corridors across Sydney.
"The NSW Government's commitment to a self-funding model will provide long-term certainty for Greater Sydney Parklands, helping us enhance existing parks and expand the estate for future generations."
