Sydney 2030: Call for best minds to develop sustainable metropolis vision

25 September 2006

A call is going out for the nation's best minds in urban planning, finance, engineering, property, the arts and environmental science to join forces with the City of Sydney to develop a 25-year vision for Sydney.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP today announced Council's decision to appoint a consortium of experts to work on a sustainable vision for Sydney 2030, building on the work the City has already begun and ensuring Sydney remains Australia's pre-eminent global city.

"We're developing an exciting long-term vision for Sydney which will promote 'green' urban design planning, new public spaces, an integrated transport system, art and cultural development; and sustainable economic, retail and tourism plans.

"Sydney's future development will create substantial demands on the city's services, infrastructure and environment, and we must co-ordinate public and private investment. Ad-hoc development is just not good enough for Australia's leading city.

"The City's move will complement the Federal Parliament's Sustainable Cities report and the NSW Government's Metropolitan Strategy and State Plan, highlighting the importance of Sydney as Australia's leading city."

Ms Moore said she congratulated the City's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Monica Barone for undertaking the review and developing the proposal.

City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone said the City is calling for Expressions of Interest to establish the expert consortium.

"The City needs a long term plan to help guide future investment. Over the next 25 years we will process development applications valued in present terms at more than $60 billion.

"We have delivered over the last two years great reform to the City's services. We have expanded child care places, library services and meals on wheels. Shortly we will open the new Surry Hills "Harmony Park", the Glebe Harbour Foreshore Walk, start work on the new Redfern Park, and in the new year open the $40 million Ian Thorpe Pool.

"The only way to ensure we remain a leading global City and economic powerhouse that can protect the environment - is to bring together the nation's great minds and envision the City we want to build.

"This is a challenging and complex task needing a multi-disciplined team - the best planners, designers, engineers, transport consultants, arts advisers, plus financial and economic modellers in the country will be sought.

The Council decided today to implement the following initiatives:

• Call for expressions of interest for firms and individuals to deliver Sydney 2030 and Financial Plan;
• Increase resourcing in key functional areas such as transport and planning, security, customer service and community engagement;
• Improving the Council's operational and internal reporting structure.

To achieve this 2030 vision the City will continue its comprehensive community and corporate consultation through public and private meetings, surveys, community workshops, website questionnaires and customer service feedback.

"This plan will help deliver what the community desires: liveable and inviting village neighbourhoods, inspiring workplaces, parks in dense urban settings, a dynamic economy, attractive streetscapes, a vibrant and diverse culture - all serviced by an efficient and integrated transport system including cycling and pedestrian networks," Ms Barone said.

The 2030 Vision will be achieved through a step-by-step approach during the next 25 years through a series of five year plans.

"Setting out on such a demanding task I need an organisational platform that can deliver what the community and businesses want.

"Creating a world-leading future for Sydney depends on creating a world-leading plan for the future," Ms Barone said.