SYDNEY METRO STRATEGY officially released

Here’s some info that came across my desk today:

What is the Metropolitan Strategy?
The Metropolitan Strategy is a broad framework to secure Sydney’s place in the global economy by promoting and managing growth. It is a strategic document that outlines a vision for Sydney over the next 25 years; the challenges we face, and the directions we will follow to address these challenges and achieve the vision. It is also the start of a process to bring the State Government, local government, stakeholders and the community together to discuss, review and then make decisions to guide the future of Sydney’s economy, environment and communities. More detailed planning will follow via regional strategies and subregional strategies.

FIVE AIMS
Economic, social and environmental sustainability are the guiding principles for the Metropolitan Strategy. Five aims, as outlined in the Premier’s vision, have been identified to achieve a more sustainable city. These are:

1 ENHANCE LIVEABILITY
2 STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
3 ENSURE FAIRNESS
4 PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
5 IMPROVE GOVERNANCE

SEVEN STRATEGIES
The Metropolitan Strategy is divided into seven subject areas, or strategies. Each of these strategies consists of:
• an Introduction including a summary of the key objectives and actions;
• a Background section that includes key facts and some of the major challenges; and
• an Actions section, which lists the objectives and actions and includes detailed descriptions for each action.

These Seven Strategies are:

• Economy and Employment
http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/employment/images/EconomyEmployment_FINAL.pdf
• Centres and Corridors
http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/centres/images/centres_final.pdf
• Housing
http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/housing/images/housing_final.pdf
• Transport
http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/transport/images/D_TRANSPORT_P171-2_PROJECTS.pdf
• Environment and Resources http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/environment/attachments/Environment_Strategy.pdf
• Parks and Public Places http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/parks/images/Parks_Strategy_Final.pdf
• Governance and Implementation http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/governance/images/Governance_Final.pdf

1.1 MILLION MORE PEOPLE
Sydney’s population is anticipated to grow by 1.1 million people between 2004 and 2031, from a current population of 4.2 million to 5.3 million by 2031. To cater for this growth, the Government has predicted we will require the following:
• 640,000 new homes;
• 500,000 more jobs are being planned for over the next 25 to 30 years
• 7,500 hectares of extra industrial land if current trends continue
• 6.8 million square metres of additional commercial floor space; and
• 3.7 million square metres of additional retail space.
Even if we have zero population growth over that time, i.e. our births and migration equal deaths, we would still require 190,000 new homes in Sydney to respond to demographic changes where fewer people are living in each home.

CITY OF CITIES – A PLAN FOR SYDNEY’S FUTURE
http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/introduction/images/MetroStrategy__0_INTRODUCTION.pdf
“City of Cities – A Plan for Sydney’s Future” is the final component of the Metropolitan Strategy, the NSW Government’s 25 year plan for Sydney.
To ensure equitable access to Sydney’s infrastructure and services, City of Cities – a Plan for Sydney’s Future concentrates growth in centres, to meet the target of ensuring Sydney’s residents do not have to travel more than one hour a day for jobs, services, higher order medical and legal services, major cultural and entertainment venues, or regional open space or recreational opportunities.

In determining the planning roles across the State Government and local government, City of Cities – a Plan for Sydney’s Future recognises the Global City, Regional cities, Specialised Centres, Major Centres, Employment Lands and Renewal Corridors will be of particular State significance. These areas will account for 50 per cent of new homes and 50 per cent of new jobs over the next 25 years. While State-led, this planning will be undertaken in consultation with local government and their communities through subregional planning. Planning for Neighbourhoods, Town Centres and Villages will be undertaken at a local level, based on the principles of the Metropolitan Strategy, and in consultation with the community.

GLOBAL SYDNEY
Sydney City and North Sydney will continue to be the harbour cities at the heart of Global Sydney. They will be the focus for world class business, tourism, cultural, health, education and entertainment activities.

REGIONAL CITIES
The river cities of Parramatta, Liverpool and Penrith will provide a focus for innovative business environments, jobs and more lifestyle and work opportunities closer to growing parts of Sydney. These centres will attract new shopping, health, education, business and cultural facilities.

MAJOR CENTRES
Major Centres evolved along Sydney’s heavy rail network and are main shopping and business centres. At a minimum, 8,000 jobs are located in Major Centres, and by 2031 they will generally contain a minimum of 10,000 jobs. Major Centres can be divided into established, planned and potential centres.

SPECIALISED CENTRES AND EMPLOYMENT LANDS
Sydney’s Specialised Centres are substantial assets across the city and each interacts with the rest of the city in a complex way. These Centres contain major infrastructure – such as airports or ports, hospitals, universities, research or business activities. Employment lands contain factories and warehouses, with some becoming sophisticated centres of high tech manufacturing, transport logistics and major storage operations.

NEIGHBOURHOODS, VILLAGES AND TOWN CENTRES
There are over 400 towns, villages and neighbourhood centres in Sydney, with good public transport services. They are just as important to the people who live and work in them as other centres, and the NSW Government can assist with improved urban design or infrastructure or to initiate the process of renewal.

TYPES OF STRATEGIC CENTRES
Global Sydney
The main focus for national and international business, professional services, specialised health and education precincts, specialised shops and tourism, it is also a recreation and entertainment destination for the Sydney region and has national and international significance. Sydney City*, North Sydney

Regional Cities**
With a full range of business, Government, retail, cultural, entertainment and recreational activities. They are a focal point for regional transport and jobs.
Parramatta, Liverpool, Penrith**

Specialised Centres
Areas containing major airports, ports, hospitals, universities, research and business activities that perform vital economic and employment roles across the metropolitan area. The way they interact with the rest of the city is complex and growth and change in and around them must be planned very carefully.
Macquarie Park, St Leonards, Olympic Park/Rhodes, Port Botany, Sydney Airport, Randwick Education and Health, Westmead, Bankstown Airport/Milperra, Norwest

Major Centres
The major shopping and business centre for the surrounding area with a full scale shopping mall, council offices, taller office and residential buildings, central community facilities and a minimum of 8,000 jobs.
Bankstown, Blacktown, Bondi Junction, Brookvale/Dee Why, Burwood, Campbelltown, Castle Hill, Chatswood, Hornsby, Hurstville, Kogarah**

* Sydney City includes the CBD, Sydney Education and Health Precinct, Pyrmont/Ultimo, Kings Cross, the NSW State cultural institutions, the Walsh Bay cultural precinct and the St Vincent’s/Darlinghurst Health Precinct.

** Outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area, Wollongong is the regional city for the Illawarra and Newcastle is the regional city for the Lower Hunter. Gosford is the regional city for the Central Coast and Tuggerah is a Major Centre on the Central Coast. Separate but related strategies will guide growth and change in these three regions within the Greater Metropolitan Region; however, Gosford and Tuggerah’s employment capacity targets and housing capacity targets are incorporated into the Metropolitan Strategy.

EMERGING STRATEGIC CENTRES
Planned Major Centres
Locations for shopping and services in identified residential growth areas.
Rouse Hill, Leppington, Green Square

Potential Major Centres
These have assets, including transport or open space connections, and potential as shopping and service hubs, in existing areas of the city which may have increased residential development. Sutherland, Cabramatta, Mt Druitt, Fairfield, Prairiewood