People of Sydney: Tell Us About Your City
by Warren McLaren, Sydney 
on 08.14.07
Sydney is white Australia's birthplace, settled as a penal colony in 1788. Many of its first white inhabitants would be very surprised to learn that it is now often recognized as one of the world's top ten most liveable cities. Earlier this year it was ranked as the world's most favourite city by the Anholt City Brands Index. And Grist dubbed it 10th in their list of the worlds top fifteen Green Cities. And there is much to be thankful for in this city of about 4.3 million souls, which is also considered one of the globe's most cultural diverse metropolis, with around 140 different ethnic groups. Sydney is the capital city for the state of New South Wales (NSW), but contrary to popular international misinterpretation, not of the nation. That is Canberra.
Geographically Sydney has the largest natural harbour in the world, is famed for its beaches (having over 70 of them), and is blessed with mostly sunny, mild weather, lending the city a very outdoorsy lifestyle. Particularly when surrounded on three sides by national parks, one of which is the world's second oldest (after Yellowstone), and another a World Heritage area. With the Pacific Ocean taking up prime position on the fourth side, Sydney has become a victim of its own success. It has reached the limits of its natural basin, and there is no room in the inn. Land for housing and infrastructure is at a premium.
And when it is built on, the land (often agriculture acreage that had been recently productive before developers arrived with their chequebooks) suffers from the same McMansion syndrome blighting other affluent cities. Fortunately, the impact of this is being held in check, to some degree, by BASIX, the state's building sustainability index, which decrees that all new housing, (and additions or alterations over $50,000) have to show 40% less energy and water consumption than a benchmark dwelling. Though, alas, developers have successfully argued for significantly lower requirements (20-35%) for various multi-storey and high rise dwellings.
The land shortage, in tandem with a traditional preference for quarter acre building blocks, results in Sydney being Australia's most expensive city and the 21st most expensive globally. In the 13 year period to 2006 land prices shot up by 330%, so that now mortgages are 40% higher than the national median and rents 31% higher, though incomes are only 12% greater.
Whilst early urban development was along rail corridors, more recently it has been away from traditional public transport hubs, with much greater reliance on car use. Extensive road building followed, leading, of course, to greater air pollution (setting aside CO2 emissions, for the moment). At times Sydney's pollution levels which are the highest in the country, are almost 10 times higher than in other cities.
Sydney does have what has been described as one of the world's most complex rail networks. It daily moves 1,500 carriages over 2,060 km over track. To access those suburbs not directly serviced by trains the city maintains 1,900 buses, the country's largest fleet. Being water focused the city is also proud of its fleet of iconic ferries, which move 14 million passengers annually. In the past decade a limited light rail system joined this network. However what these stats don't show is that since a high point during the 2000 Olympics, when the public transport system ran like clockwork, it's performance levels have been declining. And despite continued political rhetoric, confidence and patronage has been in sharp decline. Which might indicate why there was a recorded 45% increase in bicycle traffic between 2002 and 2005 into the city's central business district (CBD), despite being renown for having a very bike commuter unfriendly road system. 500 rentable bike lockers are being rolled out at transport hubs, and the CBD has seen 200 bike rings added for city commuters to secure their steeds to.
Sydney is home to about seventeen various farmers and organic food markets, though strangely, for a city of its size, only a couple of handfuls of dedicated vegetarian restaurants/cafes. It does however have six organic food co-ops, three of which are within city universities, with roughly another 15 or so specialist commercial organic whole-food stores, and a dozen home delivery services. For those wishing to grow, not buy, there are over 30 community gardens within the city. About a dozen eco-retailers ply their trade, selling the usual solar powered gizmos, hemp clothing, and plant based paints. But to date there hasn't been a Green Map made of the city, except for two small efforts. The Scouts made one for North Sydney, just one of the more than 300 suburbs in Sydney, and the Bower Reuse Centre also completed a mini version for the Inner West region.
Sydney's water supply has been under threat during an extended drought dam levels having dropped down to about 34% of capacity, before some heavy rains this year, which have taken them just over 50%. Because the city's population is growing so fast, a secure water supply is required. The State government, in its wisdom, has opted for a very controversial desalination plant in Sydney's south. It is predicted to provide water for 15% of the city, after it is commissioned in 2010. But opponents say it is a costly ($1.76 Billion AUD) experiment, especially as it will require a large amount of energy to run. Although the plant is slated to use GreenPower, critics argue such renewal energy should be used for reducing emissions, not offsetting unwarranted new infrastructure.
Much fuss has been made internationally of the City of Sydney's aim to go climate neutral by cutting its greenhouse emissions, but in reality this one municipality has a population of only about 150,000, so is unfortunately not representative of the other 30 odd councils that make up the city as a whole.
The diminishing access to land impacts on many aspects of Sydney life, and it probably comes as a surprise to many Sydneysiders that much of their waste is transported by train, 240km out of the city, so it can be dumped in old open cut mine. And the Sydney Metropolitan Area is said to have a total annual waste problem of around 7 million tonnes. Only about 37% of which is recycled from kerbside collections (though that rate has steadily climbed from 18% in 1995.)
Going forward in a green manner will be challenging for this fast-paced city that is often recognised for its sun-tanned hedonism. But there are pinpricks of light in the tunnel. Many new commercial buildings and retrofits now vie for the prestige of earning a Green Star ratings from the Green Building Council of Australia, who happened to be headquartered in Sydney. As are many carbon reduction consultancy businesses, several of who are going gang-busters with work. CityRail is working on their $1.8 billion AUD Clearways program which they reckon will deliver fewer bottlenecks and delays. When completed in 2010, it should see 20% increased rail capacity into the CBD during peak periods. Equivalent to a 12 lane motorway into the city every hour, they say.
Speaking of the CBD, City of Sydney council has its Cycle Strategy and Action Plan that wants to make "cycling as attractive a choice of transport as walking or using public transport." The target is to "Increase the number of bicycle trips between 2 and 20 km made in the City of Sydney, as a percentage of total trips to 20% by 2016." (Sydney's Roads and Traffic Authority, RTA, also has their Action for Bikes: BikePlan 2010, but it's tough to deliver the promised 200 km of new cycleways annually, while cutting funding and proposing to instead close bike paths.) The CBD is also waiting for a $300,000 AUD report, due to be handed down in September by Danish architect, Professor Jan Gehl, who is looking at how pedestrians can wrestle control of the city from the firm hands of cars. Actioning broader lifestyle issues, the Australian Conservation Foundation, with funding from the state government, have put hundreds of Sydneysiders through their GreenHome education program and figure that in past few years they've saved about 116 Olympic sized swimming pools worth of water), reduced green house gas emissions equivalent to taking 1370 cars off the road and avoided 510 kilolitres of waste.
Much work remains to be actioned. Like providing appropriate housing for indigenous people living on the city centre fringe, providing sustainable infrastructure support for the burgeoning urban sprawl, reinvigorating discussion on urban renewal by population density consolidation, managing the extensive stormwater runoff that pollutes the beaches and waterways, while wasting precious rainwater. And heaps more that we don't have the space to invoke here.
But Sydney does have a powerful 'can do' attitude. This was clearly evident when she staged the 2000 Olympics, the first 'Green Games', causing five rings head honcho Juan Samaranch to state, "I am proud and happy to proclaim that you have presented to the world the best Olympic Games ever." The city has become lazy in the intervening years, maybe all the accolades and awards have gone to her head. Yet she has a heap of ground to cover if she wants offer her inhabitants a lifestyle that is even vaguely sustainable. Let's hope that collectively all levels of government, business, and most importantly, Sydney's citizenry, will rise to the challenge and opportunity before them.
TH Readers in Sydney: Tell us what you think about your city.
all photographs by Warren McLaren
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Cool little write up. Being a sydneysider I thought it was pretty cool to see this up here on TH.
That being said, I don't see myself staying in Sydney for much longer. It's expensive, has horible public transport, and is incredibly unfreindly towards us cyclists.
The pressure on me to leave is all starting to build up.
Great relaxed city... though our public transport lacks imagination and forethought.
We actually have unused platforms at train stations and tunnels running under our city built last century (used as car parks and army storage). There's another tunnel from North Sydney towards Mosman unused.
Wouldn't it be great if the ticket inspectors at train stations were security guards for bike racks?
An established problem is that we also have these double decker trains because passengers dont like sitting for 15 minutes. This means it takes forever for passengers to alight from the train.
Our bus routes run beside the train lines rather than a hub and spoke operation. This means the CBD is clogged with third full busses rather than passengers transferring to their nearest train.
Enless governmnet enquires in how to make things better which ignore the previous enquiries.
The system is also clogged by school children who's parents chose to school them many miles from where they live (I dont hate scholl children btw).
A great city and fun place to live, though we have our problems like everywhere else.
I agree Sydney is indeed not the greatest for cyclists but you can adapt to the conditions, depending on where you live. We live in the eastern suburbs next to the beach and I find that there are enough backstreets, footpaths and cycleways to take me to the edges of the CBD safely, but once in there it's not worth riding. Although it must be said that having to adapt by taking backstreets etc makes for much longer journeys, with an upside that you see plenty of things you wouldn't otherwise.
Sydney is a crowded, congested place by Australian standards and the public transport does suck (especially in peak hour) with the exception of the ferries - they rule. Fortunately we have found a quiet area close to the city and harbour with parks and beaches aplenty and a good community vibe, for the most part. We have no plans on leaving anytime soon.
One other thing to consider when looking at house prices etc. When my parents first married they lived in the country in a caravan as that was all they could afford. It appears that our generation wants much more than their parents and they want it now. Personally I am fine with the idea of living frugally in a tiny but nice flat in a great area with my small family (wife and son) until we can afford more space, most likely a bigger flat and then maybe, maybe, one day a house. We don't have a lot of disposable income or a flatscreen TV but, depending on your priorities, you don't need those things to enjoy living in a place like Sydney.
Sydney's attitude towards green is much like its attitude to everything else: all show and no substance.
BASIX has been watered down by pressure from developers who have the state government in their pockets.
The RTA talks up cycling and then fails to deliver on promised cycle-ways.
The state government says it is committed to public transport, yet in 10 years in office has failed to provide even a basic level of maintence on rail, let alone taking the system into the 21st century.
Again the state goverment makes noises about climate change, yet is looking to build both a desalination plant and a new coal-fired power plant.
Sydney is a great, fun place. But give me Melbourne any day of the week - even with its miserable weather. Folks down there have the right attitude towards the environment
Wow, spot on and insightful article!
But - the complex rail system is really horrible, with constantly slow and delayed trains that are over priced and badly managed. There are works in progress to make them 'better' but the State Government needs to spend less on roads and more on mass transit.
The bus system is a little bit better, when the traffic is not grid-locked or it is after rush hour when finding a bus to catch is sometimes impossible.
So despite that, and it's crazy costs of living, it really is a great place to live if you can afford it. Every weekend there is something to keep you out of the house, whether it be music, art or just wandering the streets and watching the city and it's peoples.
Public transport is very bad here in Sydney and my theory on this compared to Europe or South America is that the majority of our population growth and development occured during the 'car age' which made it 'feasible' to encourage the McUrban Sprawl and enabled us to live on 1000m2 parcel's of land - and it continues on. The walkability of new suburbs here are almost non-existant. You have to drive pretty much anywhere you go once you live outside of a 5km radius of the city.
Some examples of public transport issues.
a 40 minute drive by car takes 2:05 minutes by 2 trains and a bus.
a 20 minute drive by car (in traffic) takes 50 minutes by bus or 1hr 20 minutes by train (with a change in between) - this trip is quicker on a bike than a bus and the bus only comes hourly.
Worse still is that it works out almost twice as much to do these trips than to the equivalent fuel costs in a car.
My sister-in-law who is from Peru and lived in Amsterdam and Denmark for a few years loves everything about Sydney except the public transport. She's resigning to consider buying a car.
On a bright note, I think we have some very talented and forward thinking architects and designers in the area of green housing. I just wish BASIX would force the issue so that they are utilised to the full extent.
Hey Warren!
Nice write-up! I have to say that coming back to Sydney after a few years in Brisbane have been an eye-opening experience. I tend to think as Sydney as a collection of small towns that refuse to become a City, each one trying to make life impossible for the rest. I wish that I could tell you why it feels like this, but compared to other cities that I've been to, Sydney seems to lack that cohesiveness that other larger metropolis do. I realize that it is an odd description, but that is the feeling that I get from it.
I happen to agree with the commenters above though. I happen to think that more could be done with Sydney's transport system.
Having said that, I just love this town. While Brisbane is a nice little place to live in, it just can compete with the energy that I get from living here.
Speaking as a Queenslander working in Canberra (that's between Sydney & Melbourne). I find Melbourne a more liveable city.
Melbourne still has its trams, the other state capitals ripped these out in the 50s/60s. Seen Who framed Roger Rabbit?
Sydney biggest asset, its habour, is also its biggest liability. Its make the city just plain hard to get around. Melbourne is a generally flatter city with a general grid network of roads. A lot easier to get around.
This was quite an insightful look into our great city....
Unfortunately the complex public transport is a nightmare for most daily commuters, the sheer expanse of the city metropolitan means that enormous volumes of people need to be transported into the centre daily and the system has proved that it simply cannot cope. Delays and long waits are daily realities for any commuters and being late to work because of the train has become an accepted excuse.
The biggest environmental and transport concern is sydneysiders slavery to their vehicles. Once again the sheer distances that the average person needs to travel coupled with the poor transport infrastructure has resulted in us being enslaved to our vehicles coupled with a road and highway system that is completely and utterly gridlocked. The city centre is extremely polluted as a result, i would not be surprised if a study found the air to be a toxic levels
Its going to be interesting to see how Sydney meets these challenges in the future, considering the population explosion in sydney fueled by our massive immigration intake. Sydney is going to continue to sprawl whilst infrastructure trails behind, traffic is seemingly ubiquitous with even suburbs some 25km from the city being completely congested themselves. Melbourne although lacking the stunning beauty and beach life of sydney is infinitely more superior in its transport infrastructure, although its topography is more conducive to trains and trams the seem to have had superior vision in planning their city. It is not surprising though to see melbourne ranking higher on these indexes rating "livability".