Greens candidate for Ward 2 Kit Docker said there was much more room for nature in the city.

"There are new developments going up all around, IMB bank is a good example of it, that are clearly not fit for purpose and we need to champion much more ambitious goals in this space," he said.

Mr Docker said residents told him they were concerned about large developments across the city. "It's their concerns around how our city centre and suburbs are becoming more and more devoid of nature," he said.

"The evidence is abundantly clear that as cities become more urban and more dense there is a real risk of biodiversity loss and of increased flooding as the natural environment is removed for cement."

Now not in 20 years With Wollongong earmarked for increased density and urbanisation, Mr Docker says it is important we think about the future now.

"It's really important that we have a council which champions these initiatives now because otherwise in 20 years time, we're going to have come back and fix all the mistakes that we've made and that's going to be costly," he said.

"I really want to see it be a requirement of large developments and retrofit where we can because areas like out the front of IMB bank, they can't just be left to cement when there's so much room for nature."

Greens candidate for Lord Mayor Jess Whittaker said urban greening's benefits could come from just using native grass in unused parks and reserves.

"This initiative could result in substantial savings for council by decreasing the need for constant mowing and maintenance.

"Throughout the year, and particularly during the summer, the council incurs hundreds of thousands of dollars in mowing and maintenance costs.

"These costs could be significantly reduced by reintroducing native grasses in targeted locations, which are more suited to our climate."

Story by Joel Ehsman in the Illawarra Mercury, 7 August 2024.