Community strategic plan

Delivering Sustainable Sydney 2030–2050

Published 10 July 2025

We developed this plan with, and on behalf of our communities, which guides all our other strategies and plans.

This plan identifies the community’s main priorities and aspirations and includes the strategies we can take to achieve these. It takes a long-term view, identifying issues and opportunities to be addressed in the city over the next 3 decades.

The plan is updated every 4 years in line with NSW Government requirements and when it needs to adapt to changing circumstances and community aspirations.

Community strategic planPDF · 22.06 MB · Last modified 10 July 2025

Easy Read versionPDF · 1.28 MB · Last modified 10 July 2025

What our communities value

An environmentally responsive city
A city of people
A city that moves
A city with a future-focused economy
A lively, cultural and creative city

Ten targets to measure progress

By 2035 we will achieve net zero emissions in the City of Sydney local area.
By 2050 there will be a minimum overall green cover of 40%, including 27% tree canopy cover in our local area.
By 2030 residential potable water use will be reduced to 204 litres a person a day in the City of Sydney local area. Non-residential potable water use will be reduced by 10% from 2018/19 levels.
By 2035 there will be a 15% reduction in waste generated by each person in the local area based on 2023 levels. And by 2035 there will be 90% recycling and recovery of residential waste, commercial and industrial waste, and construction and demolition waste, which will be maintained at that level to 2050.
By 2036 there will be approximately 700,000 jobs in the City of Sydney local area including 200,000 new jobs compared to 2017. An increased proportion of all jobs will be secure jobs.
By 2036 there will be at least 156,000 private dwellings and 17,500 non-private dwellings in the local area that include boarding houses and student accommodation. Of the private dwellings, 7.5% will be social housing and 7.5% will be affordable rental and diverse housing with these proportions maintained into the future.
By 2036 new cultural production floor space in the City of Sydney local area will have increased at least 40,000m² from 1,212,900m² in 2017.
By 2050 people will use public transport, walk or cycle to travel to and from work. This includes 9 out of 10 people working in the city centre and 2 out of 3 people working in the rest of the local area.
By 2030 every resident in the local area will be around a 10-minute walk to what they need for daily life.
By 2050 community cohesion and social interaction will have increased in the local area. This is based on at least 75% of the local resident population feeling part of the community, 65% agreeing most people can be trusted and 90% saying they can get help from their neighbours.

Ten strategic directions

Each strategic direction covers:

community priorities and aspirations
the current situation and why we need to act
objectives and outcomes by 2050 and how progress will be measured over time
role of the City of Sydney and key partners
strategies with detailed actions to support these outcomes.

1. The City of Sydney and other civic leaders provide effective governance and leadership
2. The City of Sydney has the capacity, capability, information, data and systems to serve the community into the future
3. The City of Sydney is financially sustainable over the long-term
4. The City of Sydney is an active contributor to the governance of metropolitan Sydney
5. The transformation of the city is enabled by successful partnerships and collaboration
1. The city reaches net zero emissions by 2035 with embodied carbon significantly reduced
2. Greening has increased to create a cool, calm and resilient city
3. Water is managed to support a resilient and liveable city
4. A circular economy approach is embedded in products, services and systems
5. Our community has the capacity to understand risk, take action and collaborate for sustainable outcomes
1. Aboriginal people’s history and cultures, and truth-telling of this place, are evident in the public realm
2. Welcoming, inclusive and connected streets and public spaces are created, upgraded and maintained
3. Creativity and culture is embedded in the fabric of the city
4. Physical and visual connections to the harbour are strengthened
5. Equitable access to open green spaces, playgrounds, pools, recreational and sporting facilities supports social connection and wellbeing
1. The city’s liveability is enhanced through well planned and designed development and public spaces
2. Productivity is supported by planning for jobs, innovation and enterprise activities
3. Communities are supported by the provision of infrastructure and assets that are aligned with growth
4. Good design leads to buildings that are high performing, well designed, inviting and inclusive
5. Well planned and designed development reduces environmental impacts and improves resilience, health and sustainability
1. Street space is reallocated for people, places and planting
2. Most people use the high-capacity, rapid and frequent public transport network that connects the city and the metropolitan area
3. More people walk more, as walking as the most attractive and convenient choice for short trips in the local area
4. More people ride more, as it’s an attractive, convenient and safe option for everyday transport
5. Freight, servicing and kerbside space is managed to support the efficient functioning of the city while improving the amenity of city spaces
1. Strengthen partnership and relationships that enable shared decision making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and prioritise their cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic aspirations
2. Everyone feels welcome and included in the city
3. Everyone has equitable access to participate in our economic growth and share in our prosperity
4. Everyone is engaged and actively participates in the governance of their city
5. Everyone has the skills, tools and access to technology to engage and participate in a digital life
6. There is equitable access to education and learning opportunities, everyone can participate in a creative practice
7. A sustainable food system that provides access to safe and nutritious food
1. Communities are connected and socially diverse
2. Everyone has equitable and affordable access to community and cultural facilities and programs, supporting social connection and wellbeing
3. Infrastructure, services and communities are prepared for and can withstand the impacts of acute shocks and chronic stress
4. The city economy is diversified to strengthen its resilience
5. People feel safe in the city
6. Communities are empowered to lead the change they want to see in the city
1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their cultural practices are valued and supported
2. We value our cultural life and champion our creative industries
3. An increasing number of creative workers live or work in the city
4. Sydney’s cultural life reflects the diversity of our communities
5. There is an increased supply of accessible creative space
1. An expanding innovation economy supports Sydney’s future prosperity
2. The transition to a net zero economy offers new economic opportunities
3. An inclusive city economy provides opportunities for everyone to participate and share in its prosperity
4. Creativity and great experiences fuel the vitality of the city
5. Unique local neighbourhoods and the global city centre support thriving economic activity
1. People sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness have access to adequate accommodation, services and support to meet their needs
2. The supply of well maintained, safe, secure and sustainable social housing is increased to support our communities
3. An increased supply of affordable rental and diverse housing supports our communities and the economy
4. Our city has a mix of housing accommodating diverse and growing communities
5. There is an increased supply of culturally appropriate and self-determined housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples