The retention of green corridors is an important part of planning. Legislation, policies, strategies and funding programs across NSW at all levels, from state-wide to local, have relevance to the retention of green corridors in urban spaces.

Local councils identify and maintain local habitat corridors within their jurisdictions. These are facilitated through the use of existing planning tools such as environmental zones and overlays in Local Environmental Plans. Strict controls protect existing open space.

Funding to develop and enhance green corridors in urban areas is available through Environmental Trust grant programs, administered by the Office of Environment and Heritage.

Funding for projects in the Greater Sydney and Central Coast Regions is also available under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program. This program has a regional open space focus and is delivered through an annual $3 million grant fund, with grants matched dollar for dollar with Councils.

At a regional scale, regional plans are being developed which address our future population's needs for housing, jobs and infrastructure. These plans include directions and actions to protect and connect natural environments, to identify priority investment within regional habitat corridors and to prepare local strategies to protect and manage corridors.

In Sydney, the development and expansion of a "Green Grid" radiating from Parramatta is identified in A Plan for Growing Sydney, and the Government is actively considering ways to enhance existing corridors to promote pedestrian and cycling connectivity and to restore riparian environments.