The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects is calling for the development of a National Green Infrastructure Strategy, led by the Federal Government.

The proposed strategy recognises the importance of nature within our built environment, acknowledging that nature itself acts as an enabler of city liveability and provides important ecosystems that benefit our cities, regional communities and towns. This strategy would assist decision makers to leverage and maximise the benefits of incorporating greening strategies into the design, construction and management of major infrastructure assets.

Deployment of a National Green Infrastructure Strategy would help combat the impact of heatwaves in cities through urban cooling policies and promote the construction of accessible and well-designed urban open spaces.

AILA is developing a Green Infrastructure Position Statement, to be released in early 2019, that will assist inform a national approach. AILA is calling on the government to bring key stakeholders, state and local governments, industry bodies and community representatives together to develop a National Green Infrastructure Strategy.