The New South Wales (NSW) government, which has the largest population in Australia, announced plans to build more apartments not only in downtown Sydney but across the entire state.
According to the Australian daily The Sydney Morning Herald on the 4th (local time), Paul Scully, NSW Minister for Planning, emphasized at the 'Sydney Summit' held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) that "residential development should not be limited to the Central Business District (CBD) but needs to extend throughout the outer areas."
He stated, "People's expectations regarding housing styles are changing, and accordingly, while securing sufficient hotels, businesses, and office spaces within the city center, we must actively introduce residential facilities," mentioning large-scale apartment development plans near train stations in western Sydney areas such as Burwood and Croydon.
According to the 2021 Australian census, the number of apartments in downtown Sydney and the southern region was only 100,334 units. This was significantly fewer compared to Melbourne's downtown, which had 160,187 apartments.
In response, the NSW government is promoting policies to supply 377,000 new homes over the next five years. NSW Premier Chris Minns has frequently stated that for Sydney to grow as a global city, high-density development must be promoted not only in the city center but also in the outskirts.
Minister Scully added, "We will not completely stop developing outer suburban residential complexes, but supplying various types of housing within the city is essential," and noted, "Southwestern Sydney areas like Campbelltown and Wollondilly still have housing development opportunities, and some residents may not necessarily need to commute to the city center."
Meanwhile, recent survey results show increasing support among Sydney residents for high-density residential development. According to the 'Life in Sydney' survey jointly conducted by the Sydney Commission and polling company Ipsos, 46% of respondents supported expanding apartment construction in their local area, up from 39% in 2023. Support for high-density development in the city center and inland areas also increased by 10%. Nevertheless, 50% of Sydney residents still responded that apartments are not suitable for family living.
Philip Oldfield, head of the School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), said, "Additional apartment construction in the city center will invigorate the city," but pointed out, "Once apartments are developed under the strata (shared ownership) system, the land is likely to be fixed for residential use for a long time." He added, "Sydney's city center remains a commercial and business hub, and while there is room to add residential facilities, maintaining an appropriate balance is important."
Sydney Mayor Clover Moore stated, "Currently, the City of Sydney records the highest residential density in Australia and is ready to meet the state government's target of building 18,900 new homes." He said, "There are about 17,500 residential units in central Sydney now, with 3,200 newly built over the past five years and an additional 5,000 planned." He emphasized, "While residential land can be created in the city center, ultimately, the actual construction of homes depends on decisions made by the real estate industry."
Liam Apter, an urban planner with the Canterbury-Bankstown City Council, said, "Family residents are often excluded from high-density residential areas," and argued that "the NSW government should enact legislation requiring developers to include at least 3- to 4-bedroom apartments."
Jung Dong-chul, Hanho Times Reporter
※ This article was written using content provided by Hanho Times (www.hanhotimes.com).
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