2030 making Sydney a global green leader

20 July 2010

Sustainable Sydney 2030 is underway with the City of Sydney initiating more than 60 actions in support of Sydney's environment, culture and economic prosperity in the past 12 months.

Launching a Progress Report on Sustainable Sydney 2030, Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the City has begun delivering on its commitments in the first years of the 20 year plan.

"Initiatives are underway to rein in greenhouse gas emissions, boost affordable housing stocks, further an integrated transport system, build recreational and cultural facilities, and improve city planning controls," Ms Moore said.

"In 2006 we began work on a long-term plan for our environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability. We commissioned extensive research and consulted comprehensively with residents, business, government, retail and all other sectors. Our 2030 strategy (completed in 2008) outlines the major cultural shifts that we must make if we are to remain a global sustainability leader."

"By freeing George Street from the stream of buses and private traffic-by ridding it of the noise, the fumes and the visual intrusion they bring-we can give Sydney a grand boulevard whose vitality would spill over to reanimate all parts of the City."

"To help reanimate the city and provide new opportunities for business along George Street and surrounding areas, we plan to provide more space for people and create three new major public squares. This vision for George Street based on urban expert Jan Gehl's work would provide a dedicated transport corridor for the 85 per cent of workers and visitors who do not travel to the city by car."

"I welcome the Government's commitment to extensions of light rail between Central and Circular Quay, which is a vital step toward our vision for George Street. We are continuing work with the State Government on an agreement and I urge it to be courageous and ambitious," Ms Moore said.

See an animation of a Transformed City Centre here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZLUyAoS5s

Ms Moore said the City's Green Infrastructure Master Plan, the first of its kind in Australia, provided a blueprint to retrofit the city with green technologies, delivered by the public and private sectors.

"We have identified City-owned properties as a foundation for a tri-generation network, and called for tenders from the private sector for design, delivery, operation and maintenance," Ms Moore said.

"Unlike centralised coal-fired power, tri-generation captures waste heat for heating or cooling. It is 85 per cent efficient compared to 30 per cent for the coal-fired system. It can significantly reduce emissions and help lower peak demand, a central reason for expensive planned network upgrades and rising energy bills."

"Starting with our sites, we can connect to nearby buildings to create 'Low Carbon Zones'. A system at Sydney Town Hall could supply adjacent St Andrew's Cathedral and school, the Queen Victoria Building, other CBD properties and even Energy Australia offices across the road."

 "We have the right plan in place and are committed to working with all parties to secure the significant transformations needed for our city's sustainability."

Some other key 2030 initiatives are:

• TRANSPORT: In an historic step the NSW Government budgeted for a light rail link from Central to Circular Quay and Barangaroo.
• CYCLING: Construction of the first phase of our 200 kilometre cycleway network.
• GREEN MASTER PLANS: A Green Infrastructure Master Plan identifies technologies to implement low-carbon and renewable energy generation, waste and water infrastructure.
• ENERGY EFFICIENCY: A roll-out of 8,500 energy-efficient LED lights across the City could reduce their energy use by 50 per cent.
• RENEWABLE ENERGY: Established an annual $2 million renewable energy fund and introduced solar panels and energy efficiency measures to Sydney Town Hall and across the City property portfolio.
• AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY: Our Affordable Rental Housing Strategy outlines how all tiers of government and the private sector can work together to deliver our 2030 targets - 8,000 new affordable rental homes for key workers together with social housing comprising 15 per cent of all City dwellings.

Tomorrow, the Lord Mayor will host a 2030 Reporting Back seminar for stakeholders at Sydney Town Hall.

For more information visit: www.sydney2030.com.au

MEDIA CONTACT: For more information contact CoS media: Jon Walter 9265 9130 or jwalter@cityofsydney,nsw.gov.au

For interviews with the Lord Mayor call Mark Scala on 9265 9711 or mscala@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

A SAMPLE OF SOME 2030 IMPLEMENTATION INITIATIVES IN 2009-10

• In an historic step, the NSW Government's May budget included funds for a light rail link from Central to Barangaroo that can include George Street.
• Reduced emissions by 17 per cent since 2006 through retrofitting our buildings to make them more energy-efficient and increasing our use of renewable energy.
• A trial of 250 energy-efficient LED street lights extended to all City owned lights in public areas could improve energy efficiency by 50 per cent.
• Secured the first electric car for the City's fleet - and supported the installation of Australia's first on-street electric vehicle charging station.
• The City brought on board UK energy expert Allan Jones who, in his previous role, reduced greenhouse gas emissions at the city of Woking by 80 per cent and ran similar projects for the City of London.
• Established an annual $2 million renewable energy fund.
• By reusing water and improving filtration/treatment processes, installing water tanks and more efficient fixtures, cut the use of drinkable water in our parks and community facilities by 17 per cent.
• Expanded the national CitySwitch program - dedicated to encouraging building tenants to achieve at least 4 out of 5 star energy ratings. Sydney's signatories to the program now account for 15 per cent of commercial office space in the Local Government Area.
• Research into best practice Indigenous interpretation has begun, to help lead the Eora Journey - a project to celebrate Aboriginal culture and tell the stories of Indigenous Sydney.
• Worked on the first nine of 55 kilometres of separated cycleways in a 200 kilometre cycleway network.
• Joined with 14 other councils to develop a Regional Cycle Network covering more than 160 suburbs.

- Begun initial groundwork for a public bicycle rental system.

- Worked on improved road conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in Paddington, Centennial Park, Newtown, Darlington, Erskineville, Camperdown and Surry Hills.         

- Broadened the city laneways revival program, with the operators of 28 small bars offered mentoring and support from the City. These bars have created 150 jobs and generated turnover of about $40 million. Galleries, coffee shops and boutiques and other "fine grain" retail in laneways are eligible for City laneways development grants and other support.

- Chinatown revitalisation will provide spaces for outdoor markets, events and artworks. It will see three new laneways renewed for new activities on these streets and improved walking and cycling links.

- Working with the State Government to introduce 40kmh zones across the CBD and make conditions safer for pedestrians

- Hosted about 50 public conversations a year, from City Talks to business forums, community meetings and public rallies.

- With the help of the Department of Industry and Investment and Austrade, expanded our Chinese New Year festival to foster business exchange and investment with Asia.

- Our Affordable Rental Housing Strategy maps out how all tiers of government and the private sector can work together to deliver our 2030 targets - 8,000 new affordable rental homes for housing key workers , together with social housing, comprising 15 per cent of all City housing.

- Six sites from the City's property portfolio made available for 150 affordable homes. We are also selling land at Zetland to the City West Housing Company to build 120 new affordable housing units.

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