Central Sydney

Our aim is to ensure growth respects our places, is highly sustainable and resilient, and responsive to climate change.

Decorative

Why we’re doing this

Central Sydney is the engine room of the NSW economy.

As such, we are constantly looking at how we can ensure future growth only occurs where it respects our special places, spaces and parkland, and is highly sustainable, resilient and responsive to climate change.

Sustainable Sydney 2030–2050 Continuing the Vision identifies a key goal of nurturing a competitive global Sydney. Our aim is to ensure central Sydney maintains its role as Australia’s most productive and attractive city.

How we can achieve this

Our plans and strategies

The Central Sydney planning strategy provides a clear path for investment to help rebuild business confidence and support jobs in small and large businesses. It considers commercial development, hotel and visitor accommodation, cultural uses and retail alongside residential living.

As part of this plan, we have amended the development controls and development contributions.

Key changes include:

  • additional height and density in the most suitable locations
  • removing the incentive for residential towers
  • opportunities to unlock additional capacity for economic and employment growth
  • ensuring new development achieves design excellence through a revised design policy.

City transformation projects

A series of transport infrastructure projects are being provided by the NSW Government including light rail from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford, a redesigned bus network, major upgrades to train stations, Wynyard Walk, Barangaroo Ferry Hub and Sydney Metro and a harbour tunnel. These developments will have an impact on everyone who lives, works and travels in the city centre.