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The idea for Green Web Sydney originated in 1996 when the Sydney Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) identified that there would be a benefit in Sydney's local councils adopting a consistent and co-operative approach to vegetation management. This led to the ROCs obtaining funding from the [former] Australian Nature Conservation Agency to prepare the Green Web Sydney Action Plan.
The Action Plan was prepared during 1996 and launched by the then Federal Minister for the Environment, Senator Robert Hill in August 1997. After 1997, the Action Plan was left largely in the hands of the local councils to implement and many councils made significant progress with the Action Plan.
In January 2000, a review of the implementation of the Action Plan within the 42 local councils was undertaken and the results showed a mixed response to the Plan by the councils. The results showed that a more strategic approach to the project and the associated on-ground works was required and this led to the ROCs applying to the Commonwealth Government's Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) for funding to employ a full-time Project Officer and also funding to initiate a devolved grants program. The idea behind the devolved grants program was to encourage councils to apply for funding to complete on-ground works in their area whilst completing their strategic actions as part of their in-kind contribution.
In June 2001, the project received over $525,000 from the Natural Heritage Trust and the Devolved Grants Program was subsequently establishment and launched at a ceremony during November 2001. Three rounds of the devolved grants program have since been initiated in February 2002, June 2002 and March 2003. Click here to view past media articles about Green Web Sydney events.
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