Sydney’s habitat for threatened species like the koala is increasingly becoming fragmented, disrupting corridors needed for animals to escape adversity like fire or promote genetic variability. The Government Architect has done work to map a network of bushland, other greenspaces and waterways, but there is no overarching instrument to set these spaces aside from development with protections ad hoc and inadequate.

Together with metropolitan independents I asked the planning minister to reserve Sydney’s blue green grid to protect biodiversity and create recreational opportunities for the city’s growing population. A blue green grid would also create a Sydney koala and whale circuit attracting tourism.