1.3. ROLE OF THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY

This Strategy identifies the need to create high quality liveable urban development. Urban development, including new housing and employment lands, is needed to support our growing population. Green Infrastructure is an important asset which can be used to deliver healthy liveable communities and maintain important natural environments

The role of this strategy is to support the implementation of green infrastructure in future development and to support a range of existing strategies which manage green infrastructure components. This includes maintaining the green breaks between our unique villages, protecting and linking important ecological communities and enhancing the blue-green grid in the Clarence Valley

This strategy identifies a number of priority areas including

- improve planning processes to achieve better outcomes for green infrastructure

- protect and enhance biodiversity and waterway health

- improve the provision of open space and street trees and

- support walking and cycling links

This strategy guides future land use decision making and the design of new development in the protection and provision of green infrastructure. The strategy sets the direction for an approach to green infrastructure outcomes in existing and new development areas that best meets the needs of the Clarence Valley community over the next 20 years.

Another important role of the strategy is to raise awareness of the importance and the benefits of green infrastructure in the community. The strategy also provides direction to the development industry on the outcomes that Council is seeking for green infrastructure in new development.

An important component of the Green Infrastructure Strategy is that it supports a range of existing Council strategies which also manage existing green infrastructure elements in the LGA. These strategies and their current status are shown in the table below.

Biodiversity Biodiversity Strategy 2020-25 Strategy to be updated in 2025

Urban Tree Canopy Urban Tree Management Strategy 2012

Parks and Open Space Open Space Strategic Plan 2012

Active transport

Bike Plan 2015

Sustainable Water Management Coastline Coastal Management Plan and Estuary Coastal Management Plan (CMP)

An update is being undertaking to be completed in 2023

An update of the plan will be undertaken in the next 2 to 3 years

An updated Active Transport Strategy is to be completed in 2023

Stages 2 to 4 of the CMPs are ongoing