23-230307-FINAL-Camden-Green-and-Blue-Grid-Vision-April-2023-Version-for-webpage - Flipbook - Page 41
Greener Places, Healthier Waterways Vision
Opportunities and Challenges to Realising the Vision
Table 3: Opportunities and challenges to realising the future Green and Blue Grid
Opportunities
Challenges
Access to the Nepean River, bushland, and natural environments
The Nepean River has been identified as a key natural landmark
that needs protection and promotion. Pedestrian access to the
Nepean River as well as other natural environments, open spaces and
waterways was raised by the community as a local priority during the
development of the Camden LSPS 2020. Improving the Green and Blue
Grid will deliver on one of the community’s local priorities.
Size, scale, and nature of Camden LGA’s Green and Blue Grid
The size of Camden LGA (approximately 17km north-south and 17km east-west) makes
it challenging to coordinate green infrastructure projects. This challenge will be overcome
by allocating resources to priority projects identified in the Green and Blue Grid Analysis.
Approximately 96.5% of Camden’s endangered plants and animals are located on private
land5. It is important for Council to work with landowners to increase their understanding
on how the vegetation and waterways on their land is connected to the broader Green
and Blue Grid.
Agricultural land and farm dams
Rural landscapes are considered among the most valuable in the LGA
and are inherently tied to Camden’s local identity. Retaining Camden’s
rural landscapes and green corridors will build upon what already
makes Camden special and what residents love about living in Camden.
The retention of farm dams can also provide a water source for a range
of native animals as well as stock.
Land development’s negative impacts on local habitats
A large portion of Camden LGA’s native vegetation has been cleared or altered by farming
practices or to accommodate urban development in the South West Growth Area. This
has fragmented habitats for local animals. Smaller lot sizes in new residential areas
can also make planting larger trees on private land difficult. Enabling more trees to be
planted, and incorporating creeks, lakes and ponds in the design of future residential
suburbs, will help to overcome this challenge.
Healthy streets for cycling and walking
There are several existing walking and cycling tracks in the Camden
LGA including the Nepean River Cycleway (also known as Camden
Bike Track), Miss Llewella Davies Pioneers Walkway at Camden Town
Farm, Harrington Park Lake Loop, and the Harrington Forest walk.
Investigating opportunities to increase shade over the walking and
cycling tracks can increase their usage (particularly on warmer days)
and create a safer, nicer place for people to live, visit and work.
Local Climate Change
The Camden LGA experiences more temperature extremes and less rain than coastal
areas of Sydney. Camden LGA’s climate is changing with longer droughts, higher
temperatures, and more days above 35 degrees celsius16. These changes impact on
people’s access to water, particularly when water restrictions are imposed during periods
of extended drought. It can make living conditions uncomfortable and even potentially
life threatening for vulnerable residents on hot days and during extreme heat events. The
Green and Blue Grid will help to cool Camden and counteract some of these extreme
weather events, helping to build community resilience to climate change impacts and
deliver effective mitigation measures.
Creating Urban Habitat
Connecting biodiversity corridors, trees and waterways serves to
improve natural habitats for plants and animals and support wildlife to
move between areas.
Legislation that makes increasing local tree canopy cover challenging
The enhancement of the Green and Blue Grid needs to consider the requirements of
current legislation which may impede the ability to create urban habitat and increase tree
canopy cover including:
• Wildlife buffer requirements under State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts –
Western Parkland City) 2021 – Chapter 4 Western Sydney Aerotroplis;
• Biocertification of native vegetation within the South West Growth Area under State
Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts – Western Parkland City) 2021; and
• The ability to remove trees or vegetation under the State Environmental Planning Policy
(Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 and the Rural Fires Act 1997.
15. Clouston Associates, 2020 – Camden Green and Blue Grid Analysis. 16. Camden Council, 2020 – Sustainability Strategy.
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