Campbelltown Blue-Green Grid Plan

Campbelltown is confronting the dual challenges of rapid population growth and climate change, necessitating a transformative approach to urban planning. The Blue/Green Grid Plan addresses these issues by integrating sustainable blue and green infrastructure to combat urban heat islands, enhance biodiversity, and improve stormwater management. This project responds to the need for an urban environment that supports both the community’s health and the area’s ecological resilience, while also respecting and incorporating the cultural heritage of the Dharawal people, ensuring the city’s development is both sustainable and inclusive.

The Blue/Green Grid Plan strategically integrates extensive green spaces and revitalized waterways to address urban challenges. Key in the design process was early engagement with the Dharawal community, ensuring the plan not only promotes ecological and human health but also preserves cultural values. Notable milestones included the development of GIS-based suitability mapping as an innovative approach to identify key areas for intervention, multiple hazard assessment and the alignment of green corridors with existing urban structures. Continuous stakeholder engagement (community, First Nations community, government stakeholders, and developers) results in a cohesive plan that is both innovative and grounded in community needs.

Traditional approaches to urban development often prioritise concrete, neglecting the essential role of green spaces. The Plan seeks to reverse this by promoting a holistic approach to urban planning where green infrastructure becomes integral to the city’s fabric. The project strengthens resilience through enhanced greenery and water-management, reducing urban heat and improving biodiversity. Promoting active lifestyles to enhance community health and connectivity. Improving urban aesthetics and liveability could enhance property values. A deeper respect and integration of Dharawal heritage will enrich community identity and cultural understanding. Offering a more liveable and resilient Campbelltown, it sets a benchmark for sustainable development.

Key to the Plan is the overarching Country and Aboriginal Cultural Landscape that connects hydrology, ecology, connectivity and recreation. As expressed by members of the Aboriginal community, feeling a connection to the Dharawal people inherently means feeling a connection to the Dharawal land. This connection to Country fosters a link to their ancestors, their history, and provides a physical and spiritual bond to their cultural heritage. Thus, by applying the County and Cultural Landscape as the overarching grid, the Plan acknowledges and respects the intricate and ancient knowledge systems of Aboriginal culture. These systems not only reflect a deep spiritual and physical connection to Country but are essential for maintaining the health and prosperity of the natural environment. This approach is guided by frameworks like the Draft Connecting to Country Framework (NSW GA, 2018), and local initiatives such as Our Voice, Our Place (Campbelltown City Council, 2020) to incorporate the voices of the Aboriginal community into planning processes. By embracing this approach, the project seeks to both honour the cultural heritage of the Aboriginal people but also to leverage traditional knowledge of the management of natural resources. This dual focus means ecosystems are better equipped to face future challenges.