As people in Australia’s most populous state gear up for the state election, the Property Council is urging NSW voters to make the right choices to secure a sustainable, liveable future that supports growth.
At more than half a trillion dollars, New South Wales is Australia’s largest state economy, accounting for around a third of the nation’s economic output and home to nearly a third of Australians.
Sydney is Australia’s largest city, and by 2050 will be home to around eight million people.
Jane Fitzgerald, the Property Council’s NSW executive director, calls Sydney a “contender city” that is “prominent against global benchmarks relative to its size and economic scale”.
But after decades of previous under-investment in infrastructure, Sydney has underperformed in areas that are increasingly valued by talent, tourists, investment and institutions – namely connectivity and access to services.
“Tomorrow’s Sydney will only be great if we make the right choices now and this must be a central focus for a future state government,” Fitzgerald explains.
The Property Council’s state election platform outlines Six steps to a more liveable, affordable and prosperous NSW. These steps are:
- Create tomorrow’s Sydney by delivering the plans for good growth and high amenity
- Fix the NSW planning system to implement the strategic vision
- Accelerate the supply and diversity of housing to improve affordability and lower the cost of living
- Step up evidence-based infrastructure investment to reduce congestion and support growing communities;
- Reduce fees, taxes and charges to boost investment and economic growth and create more jobs
- Support our regions to strengthen their unique characteristics, attract jobs and increase investment.
Fitzgerald says the Property Council’s election platform includes more than 30 recommendations.
Among these is a ‘Good Growth Summit’, held within 100 days of the election, which would enhance collaboration between communities, industry and government.
“It’s important that we bring everyone together, regardless of their background or views, to have an evidence-led discussion about the key issues concerning Sydney’s future,” Fitzgerald says.
Other recommendations include an implementation schedule for the Western Sydney City Deal and acceleration of the Greater Sydney Commissions plans.
“To ensure Sydney is a great global city we need to deal with unaffordability and congestion, deliver the Greater Sydney Commission’s 30-minute polycentric vision and improve amenity and livability by focusing on creating great places,” Fitzgerald says.
Fitzgerald says the incoming government must focus on “how to grow Sydney well”.
“Tough decisions may need to be made – decisions that our political leaders stick to long term.”
Download Six steps to a more liveable, affordable and prosperous NSW.