Media releases

More jobs and homes in Australia’s global city

Published 29 August 2019

The City of Sydney is currently exhibiting two strategic plans that will accommodate 200,000 new jobs and 56,000 new homes in the City by 2036.

Every council in Sydney is required to submit a local strategic planning statement and housing strategy to the Greater Sydney Commission. The documents, which set out a 20 year vision for land use in the City, are now open for public comment.

The ten key moves outlined in City Plan 2036 are:

  1. Strengthen Central Sydney’s economic role
  2. Build internationally competitive and knowledge-intensive business clusters stretching through Pyrmont, Ultimo, Redfern, Camperdown and the western edge of the CBD
  3. Protect and evolve business in the Southern Enterprise Area of Alexandria and Rosebery
  4. Support creative and cultural industries around Surry Hills and East Sydney
  5. Make great places through heritage conservation, design excellence and supporting local high streets
  6. New and diverse housing across the City of Sydney area
  7. Movement for walkable neighbourhoods and a connected city
  8. Greening the city and pathways to net zero carbon emissions
  9. Aligning development with infrastructure
  10. Collaborate and plan for a shared vision

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the targets show the City is prioritising jobs in the area to enhance Sydney’s reputation as a global city.

“Sydney is one of the world’s most attractive places to live and do business, and our draft strategic plans balance the need for more housing and jobs while protecting all the things we love about our city,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We have a proven track record of delivering growth while maintaining and indeed improving liveability, by investing in community facilities, green open spaces and heritage protection.

“More than $130 billion of economic activity was generated in our local area in 2017/2018, accounting for seven per cent of Australia’s economy.

“Our forecasts for 115,000 additional residents and 200,000 additional jobs are sustainable targets to enhance our status as Australia’s global city and leading knowledge-based economy.

“We already have the right planning controls in place to provide the 56,000 homes for those residents and we have proposals and actions to help us achieve the 200,000 jobs target. We are currently approving some of the tallest buildings that federal aviation authorities will permit, including 505 George Street, Circular Quay Tower and Greenland Tower.

“We’re also aiming to exhibit our previously announced Central Sydney Planning Strategy this year, which will see building heights in the city centre rise and go a long way to providing the floor space needed for those 200,000 jobs.”

The Lord Mayor said that while the City continues to grow at pace, maintaining village precincts and ensuring housing affordability remain priorities.

“The local strategic planning statement outlines strong economic opportunities in precincts like East Sydney, Surry Hills, Redfern–Waterloo, Chippendale, Camperdown, Ultimo and Pyrmont and North Alexandria,” the Lord Mayor said.

“To make great places, we need to conserve heritage buildings, support our retailers and high streets and upholds our standards of design excellence.

“We also need a diverse mix of housing. There’s no doubt that the high cost of housing has impacted on Sydney’s liveability, so we will continue to push for urgent State and Federal Government investment in social and affordable housing.

Members of the public can view the plans in full detail and make a submission on sydneyyoursay.com.au from Friday 30 August to 5pm Friday 11 October.

For media inquiries or images, contact Alex Cauchi. Phone 0467 803 815 or email acauchi@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay. Phone 0436 816 604 or email pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au