Greater Sydney will become three connected cities over the next 40 years, linked by new public transport, giving more communities access to job opportunities, new homes and services within 30 minutes.
Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts, and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance, today launched the Greater Sydney Commission’ draft Regional Plan and Transport for NSW’s Future Transport strategy for metropolitan Sydney for public comment.
GSC Chief Commissioner Lucy Turnbull, said the plans are the first long-term land use and transport strategies to be developed in direct collaboration.
“Reshaping Greater Sydney as a metropolis of three cities – Eastern, Central and Western – will rebalance it, fostering jobs, improving housing affordability, easing congestion and enhancing our enviable natural environment across the entire region,” Ms Turnbull said.
“This is particularly exciting for Sydney’s west, with an entirely new city to emerge west of the M7, where the new Western Sydney Airport and the surrounding aerotropolis will support tens of thousands of jobs. Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown will become university towns, which means even greater opportunity for young people growing up in Greater Sydney’s west.”
Mr Roberts said Greater Sydney’s continued growth and success, as a 21st century global city required a transformative approach to its planning.
“Greater Sydney is destined to become one of the world’s top 10 cities and as its population grows to an estimated eight million people over the next 40 years, we need these plans to ensure we deliver the housing, jobs, transport services, schools and medical facilities Sydneysiders will need,” Minister Roberts said.
“I congratulate the Chief Commissioner and her team on developing a compelling vision for the future of Greater Sydney and collaborating across government to align land use planning with future transport services and infrastructure.”
Mr Constance said it was important for planning and transport to work closely together to deliver the best outcomes for Sydneysiders.
“While we’re building the transport solutions of tomorrow right now, we can’t ignore the future. That’s why we’re not only focussing on the next few years, but the next 40,” Mr Constance said.
“The release of our Future Transport 2056 strategy together with the blueprint developed by the Greater Sydney Commission – means new communities can be connected within 30 minutes at a time when more people want to call Sydney home.
“The plans will ultimately work together, so as Sydney grows, so too does the transport network.
“This draft planning strategy is now out for Sydneysiders to look at and I’d urge everyone to engage and have their say on the future shape of Sydney.
The draft Greater Sydney Region Plan and the Future Transport Strategy can be viewed at www.greater.sydney and https://future.transport.nsw.gov.au.