Figure 10. Experiences available across the 'Green Grid' of the MidCoast

Enhance access and experiences in the 'Green Grid'

The individual elements that make up MidCoast's rural areas, including its bushland, farms, rural villages, waterways, lakes and beaches, collectively form a landscape-scale environment referred to by State government agencies as the 'Green Grid'.

The Green Grid of the MidCoast provides opportunities for people to connect with and experience nature. These experiences are strongly shaped by the availability and quality of 'Green Infrastructure' including publicly accessible reserves and waterways, that provide for walking, cycling and horse-riding trails; boating and fishing facilities; playgrounds; picnicking facilities; public amenities; wayfinding and interpretation signage.

Figure 10. Experiences available across the 'Green Grid' of the MidCoast56

Council and other State agencies have already committed to providing a range of new projects that will enhance people's access to and experience of natural areas including development of a Great Lakes Great Walk and Aquatic Trail, providing a 100km journey through lakes, farms and bushland stretching from Hawks Nest to Forster.

There is no one-stop-shop for coordinating the provision of Green Infrastructure in NSW, with public asset planning and management responsibilities lying across national, State and local government agencies. Building and maintaining a connected 'Green Grid' also relies on the cooperation of private landowners to deliver the conservation, development, or public access requirements associated with ‘Green Infrastructure’ .

The land use planning framework can assist by identifying long-term priorities, sitespecific considerations for locations or route alignments that provide conservation or development outcomes, and infrastructure contributions or works-in-kind agreements associated with ‘game changer’ projects.

56 City Plan Strategy & Development

Outcome 2.3.3. Enhance access and experiences in the 'Green Grid'

a) Identify and map the on-the-ground outcomes required to build a connected network of trails to support long-distance walking, cycling and horse riding across the MidCoast. b) Engage with relevant external Green Infrastructure providers and utilise strategic planning initiatives to identify and protect Green Infrastructure project sites and corridors. c) Identify funding mechanisms available to support the delivery of Green Infrastructure, including incentives for the collection of contributions or works-in-kind agreements associated with development approvals. d) Establish a process to monitor indicators associated with the safe and legal access and use of natural areas e.g. personal injury, trespass, or property damage, to assist with identifying where focused efforts are required to address these issues. e) Prepare a delivery plan to support the implementation / facilitation of ‘game changer’ projects outlined in Council's Destination Management Plan.

Local Plan Recommendations LEP provisions

Recreation services and facilities are to be permitted with consent in rural, environmental and waterway zones, including the infrastructure required to provide a range of recreation activities. Ensure local clauses enable consistent assessment of recreation facilities and services across the rural landscape, complementary to the primary agricultural or environmental value of the land.

DCP provisions

Provide additional guidance on services, infrastructure, emergency management and locational constraints to enable consistent assessment outcomes for tourism events and recreation facilities on rural and environmental zoned land.