Developing Sustainable Communities

The population of Sydney is expected to increase by 1 million people, 600,000 of whom are anticipated to settle in GWS within the next 20 years. This population increase will be accompanied by large scale development of housing, transport, employment and social infrastructure; all of which can potentially affect the health and wellbeing of new residents and people living across the region.

The question we have to ask is how this growth is to be managed? In terms of where people live, the transport and other infrastructure that is provided, along with a range of other issues, has a major bearing on the level and type of impacts our regional will face.

Transitioning to a Low Carbon EconomyLarge rows of Solar Panels on Hawkesbury.JPG

Advances in technology and policy will allow renewable energy and energy efficiency to play major roles in displacing fossil fuels. As traditional sectors reassess their carbon impacts, the economy will need to be driven by value-added future technologies including those which focus on energy, water and resource efficiency, local food, broadband communication and high-tech industries.

Find out more about Energy and Climate

Transport and Housing

Transition from high car dependence to more sustainable transport modes will require a combination of new infrastructure and increased service levels and improvements in the amenity of existing services.

Nowhere is the issue of adequate transport more critical than in Western Sydney. The use of public transport is not a matter of choice, these services simply aren't there in some of these regions.

The GWS region also has an inefficient housing stock, with a heavy reliance on air conditioning and overuse of water. Housing needs to include environmentally sustainable, flexible and universal design, as well as address affordable.

Find out more about Transport and Housing

Health and WellbeingBushcarers at the Riverfarm

The identified regional challenges all have integrated themes that relate directly to public health, developing more active lifestyles and living and working productively with diversity, resource conservation and economic vitality.

The major health considerations for GWS are physical activities, social connectedness, employment and access to healthy food, services and mobility which are all influenced by transport services, infrastructure and local agricultural production.

Find out more about Health and Wellbeing