Media releases

Building a more just, resilient and inclusive city

Published 11 April 2016

The City’s calling for ideas to make Sydney a more socially just and inclusive city, with proposals so far including more affordable housing, increasing Wi-Fi hot spots and a children’s ‘destination playground’ in the heart of the city.

A City for All, the City’s new draft social sustainability policy and discussion paper, which looks at the critical and entrenched social issues in Sydney and explores ways to close the growing gap between rich and poor in the city, is now open for community feedback.

The paper asks Sydneysiders to look at the big challenges facing the community, such as housing affordability pressures, rising inequality, and rapid population growth and change, and share ideas on how we can work together to build a stronger society. The input will help set the City’s policy and targets for the next decade.

Research shows the most successful global cities are characterised by high levels of social wellbeing – not just high levels of economic activity – and leading cities around the world are choosing to meet the challenges facing urban communities through strategies that strengthen social fabric and liveability.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said making sure all Sydneysiders had great opportunities and a good quality of life was the driving force behind all the City’s policies.

“Achieving a stronger, more egalitarian society in Sydney hinges on how we tackle the urgent social issues of our time, rapid population growth, increasing high-density living and the rising cost of housing,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Our vision is for a Sydney where people have a shared commitment to their community, have good relationships with their neighbours, access to work, education and affordable housing, and are engaged with the decisions that affect their lives.”

“This policy also puts First Nations people first. Aboriginal Australians have lived here for more than 40,000 years, making them one of the most sustainable, resilient and innovative peoples in the world, and this needs to be respected and nurtured.”

“At the heart of the City’s focus on delivering great services and facilities to our community is our commitment to ensure Sydney is a city for all – it drives everything we do. We want to ensure everyone in the community – irrespective of age, income, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religious beliefs – has opportunities they need to reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives.”

The City’s draft policy follows New York’s OneNYC social sustainability policy released last year and other initiatives such as the United Nation’s new Global Goals and the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities program.

Improving collective wellbeing brings a wealth of benefits to a city and a strong, inclusive society is increasingly recognised as integral to a strong economy and healthy natural environment.

The City of Sydney area has more than 200,000 residents, and hosts 539,000 visitors and students, and 476,000 workers on a daily basis, with an economy worth over $108 billion annually.

One of the critical challenges facing the city is the rising population that is forecast to grow by 50 per cent to over 270,000 people by 2031. This will increase the pressure on services and facilities, and also have an impact on social cohesion.

A City for All sets four key directions to meet these and other challenges facing Sydney:

·            An inclusive city that is socially just and provides opportunity for all;

·            A connected city where people have a sense of belonging and have supportive community networks;

·            A liveable city that features people-focussed urban design and planning that supports people’s quality of life;

·            An engaged city where people take part in local decision making and share their ideas and where they want to actively contribute to civil society.

The policy builds on the City’s longstanding commitment to the social wellbeing of our community that includes investment in social infrastructure and a wide range of social services and programs through direct action, advocacies and partnerships.

The City invested $335 million in social infrastructure over the past decade, and is forecast to spend a further $563 million over the next 10 years. This includes the delivery of community facilities, parks, pools, childcare centres, libraries, public art programs, public art and wayfinding initiatives.

The City also invests on an ongoing basis in the delivery of a wide range of social programs and services, including homelessness and community transport services, along with grants and sponsorships and major cultural festival and events.

Proposed actions in A City for All include a council investment in providing opportunities for people on lower incomes to live in the city through investment in new affordable and supported housing developments and initiatives.

The City is also planning to improve the city’s accessibility by planning a new city centre, including play-space for children and families, and exploring opportunities to increase the number of free Wi-Fi hotspotsat community centres and public areas.

The City is reaching out to the community to tell us about the biggest social challenges they face, and to share their ideas on what will make Sydney a better place for all – a city that is more inclusive, connected, liveable and engaged – at http://sydneyyoursay.com.au//socialsustainability

For more information, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Twitter: @cityofsydney #Sydney4All        

Instagram: @cityofsydney  Facebook: facebook.com/cityofsydney

 

For media inquiries: City of Sydney Senior Media Adviser Belinda Wallis on 0467 810 160 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore: Matt Levinson 0499 319 385 or email mlevinson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au