Calling for a city that is affordable, liveable, loveable, sustainable.

Our Motivation

The housing affordability crisis is dire. Many growing up in Sydney can no longer afford to live here. Impacting local families and communities – it’s also threatening Sydney’s diversity, vibrancy and position as Australia’s primary economic hub.

Yet, under pressure to find a quick fix, the NSW Government’s planning reforms are not only politically motivated – they’re also not good enough. Upzoning by drawing circles around train stations will not deliver the amount of affordable homes we need, nor setup great places to live. What’s more, the reforms give away billions in windfall gains with little to no value capture or local infrastructure plans.

However, despite the spin – we can tackle affordability while enhancing liveability and creating great place outcomes, sustainably. But it will require brave leadership and a clear vision, along with strategic planning and a sophisticated discussion to enable it.

Simply cutting ‘red tape’ and chanting “more supply” means we delay making the big financial investments and tough political decisions needed to address deep inequities in the housing market.

Alternatively – when increased density is met with increased amenity and well-funded infrastructure – we get great places to live with parks, schools, tree canopies, walkability and healthy open space.

We want a city where sustainable development and design excellence are championed. One with character and personality, where our built heritage and story is treasured. Places that not only remain highly liveable, but highly loveable too. Density done well, not recklessly.

We’re a network of Sydneysiders, working in the built-environment industry. Disappointed by the current reform agenda and discourse – we’re also inspired by this genuine opportunity to think about the future Sydney we call home, before we pass it on.

After all, change is the only constant in world-class cities. An ingredient we embrace for the dynamism it sparks. But Sydney deserves better change than what is currently on offer. So, we will advocate for the type of change we believe Future Sydney can have.

 FAQs

  • We’re a network of Sydneysiders working in the built-environment and advocacy industries – including small-to-medium business, consultancies, government (both local & state) and academia.

    The team all have professional networks that sometimes provide new business opportunities or enable future career pathways. So, Future Sydney provides a place to privately contribute their expertise to a public platform voice.

  • Our Vision Statement: A future Sydney that is affordable, liveable, loveable, sustainable.

    This acts as our target destination.

    It also focuses our discussion, ideas, effort and voice by providing us with a ‘true north’.

    The ideas and policies we advocate for will be ones that move Sydney towards this Vision Statement.

  • The housing affordability debate is complex. It has many different layers, stakeholders and points of view.

    We wanted a way to focus and hone the ideas, effort and voice of our small team. Six Pillars helps us to achieve this.

    Our strategic pillars represent the fundamentals we believe Sydney needs to get right, in order to become a city that is affordable, liveable, loveable and sustainable.

  • We are self-funded and proudly have no corporate donors. Therefore, we have no vested interests influencing what we say.

    We currently have minimal costs and overheads. The team donates their time and expertise to this project.

    In the future, should more funds be needed – we may reach out to community for donation support.

  • Absolutely. We look at everything sent to us and consider if it fits with our strategic pillars. We also always reply.

    Get in touch on the Contact Us page, or email us on info@futuresydney.org.