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Here’s Something California and the White House Can Agree On

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20 Mar, 2025

This post was originally published on Healthy Forest

In an era where political divisions dominate the headlines, one issue has found common ground between California and the Trump Administration: forest management.

President Trump recently issued executive orders calling for increased timber harvests and proactive forest management on federal lands. On the very same day, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he is streamlining state environmental regulations to accelerate wildfire prevention efforts.

A Shift in California’s Approach

The California governor’s announcement came with urgency, declaring a state of emergency aiming to fast-track wildfire prevention projects ahead of the peak fire season. This move follows the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires, which claimed 29 lives and destroyed thousands of structures. The emergency proclamation suspends key provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act—regulations that have historically slowed forest management projects.

With these restrictions temporarily lifted, California will now be able to move more swiftly in reducing wildfire risks through vegetation and tree removal, creating fuel breaks, and increasing prescribed burns. Additionally, the order allows non-state entities to conduct approved fuel reduction work with expedited approval and directs state agencies to enhance the efficiency of controlled burns.

A Growing Trend Among Western States

California is not alone in this shift toward more active forest management. States like Idaho and Montana, traditionally Republican strongholds, have been aligning their management agencies with federal efforts to increase forest treatment. Idaho Governor Brad Little has directed state agencies to work closely with federal counterparts to enhance wildfire mitigation efforts. Similarly, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has prioritized active forest management, with nearly 130,000 acres placed under treatment since 2021.

What makes California’s actions particularly notable is its political landscape. Unlike Idaho and Montana, where Republican leadership has long supported reducing regulatory barriers for forest management, California is a Democratic stronghold with a history of strict environmental regulations. Newsom’s move signals a recognition that, regardless of political ideology, wildfire prevention requires decisive action.

Beyond the immediate need to address wildfire risks, Newsom’s strategy may also be a calculated effort to secure federal disaster relief aid. The governor has requested $40 billion from Congress to help California recover from recent wildfires. Trump has frequently criticized California’s wildfire policies, blaming state officials for poor forest management. By demonstrating a commitment to proactive management, Newsom may be looking to strengthen California’s case for federal assistance.

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Source: Healthy Forest

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Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Sydney developer Billbergia Group has announced the Rhodes Recreation Centre — an $85 million, 9200 m2 multi-purpose community hub in Sydney’s Inner West.

Located at 6 Gauthorpe St and designed by architectural firm SJB, the recreation centre is in a three-level podium building beneath two high-rise residential towers — the 48-level Peake and 43-level Oasis. Together, they form stage two of the developer’s Rhodes Central Masterplan — a $3 billion, three-stage town centre project.

The Rhodes Recreation Centre was delivered under a $97 million Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the developer and City of Canada Bay Council. It will be handed over to council next month and is set to open later this year. Once complete, the masterplan will have delivered 25,000 m2 of dedicated public amenity, including retail, community facilities and open space.

With the NSW Government’s housing reforms set to address the housing shortage, the recreation centre will reflect the importance of ‘placemaking’ — a collaborative approach to designing and managing public spaces that enhances community wellbeing and fosters connections between people and their environment — in planning new urban communities.

It also presents a pathway for public and private sectors to collaborate and create social infrastructure while increasing housing supply in fast-growing suburbs.

The recreation centre is set to add vibrancy and pedestrian activity to the local streetscape, providing a diverse range of facilities that enhance the livability of the evolving suburb. These community amenities include two full-sized indoor sports courts, a gymnastics centre, a 70-place childcare centre, a community lounge, allied health services, and bookable spaces for local groups and events. It also provides a gym with cardio equipment, weights, group fitness rooms, a creche and an outdoor terrace, alongside a range of sustainability features.

Facilities at the Rhodes Recreation Centre. Images supplied.

“Rhodes Recreation Centre is the community heart of our high-density TOD development, bringing to life Billbergia’s vision for a future-focused, livable urban environment that prioritises amenity, not just density,” said Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia.

The amenities within the two residential towers include a swimming pool, spa, sauna, children’s play area, library and theatre rooms. Pedestrian connections and through-site links provide access to Rhodes railway station and the Homebush Bay waterfront.

“The Rhodes Recreation Centre stands as a benchmark in successful public–private collaboration. Through a VPA with Canada Bay Council, we’ve created a pathway to unlock additional housing supply while delivering significant, lasting community infrastructure. It’s a clear demonstration of how thoughtful public and private partnerships can shape vibrant, livable neighbourhoods,” Moran said.

Located adjacent to Rhodes railway station, stage one of Billbergia’s Rhodes Central Masterplan was completed in 2021 and included the 13,000 m2 Rhodes Central Shopping Centre, with convenience retail, a Woolworths supermarket, medical facilities and the Bamboo Lane dining precinct.

Other previous projects include the 1.2 ha Phoenix Park in Rhodes, the $63 million Bennelong Bridge, the popular Baylink Shuttle service, the 3500 m2 Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library, and the Wentworth Point Pop-Up Town Square.

Billbergia’s ongoing focus on placemaking and social infrastructure also includes the $8.4 million delivery of a library at its mixed-tenure development, Arncliffe Central, in Sydney’s south. There is the potential for 75% of Arncliffe Central’s dwellings to be dedicated to social, affordable and essential worker rental housing, along with 3400 m2 allocated to childcare, convenience retail and cafes, and a 4000 m2 park with play space for both residents and the broader community.

Top image caption: The Rhodes Recreation Centre location with two planned residential towers, Peake and Oasis. Image supplied.

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