Bradfield Oration 2021:Interconnected cities vision expands to Newcastle and Wollongong
Premier Dominic Perrottet has outlined his future vision for NSW, including an expansion of the 'three cities' vision, a mindset shift for Sydney's west, and ideas for making Sydney 'liveable, workable and beautiful'. See how the 2021 Bradfield Oration unfolded.
Premier Dominic Perrottet will appoint a new Cities Minister to oversee the expansion of Sydney's vision of being three interlocked cities to it being six interlocked cities, encompassing Newcastle and the Central Coast to the north and Wollongong to its south.
The vision expands on Lucy Turnbull’s idea of Sydney being a city of three interconnected cities - an Eastern Harbour City, the Central Parramatta River City and a Western City.
Mr Perrottet has announced that Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong will also be included in this strategy.
“These are cities already undergoing rapid change and revitalisation. They have been the industrial workhorses of the past. And they should continue on their trajectory to become future focused precincts of tomorrow.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet with guests inside the Sydney Opera House before the Bradfield Oration 2021 is delivered. Picture: Richard Dobson
Jobs growth and advanced manufacturing will also be championed by a new Department of Enterprise and Investment with a dedicated Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology.
Jobs growth and advanced manufacturing will be championed by a new Department of Enterprise and Investment with a dedicated Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Daily Telegraph editor Ben English at the 2021 Daily Telegraph Bradfield Oration on Thursday. Picture: Richard Dobson
Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the departmental shake-up in The Daily Telegraph’s Bradfield Oration at the Opera House.
The new Minister will be appointed - alongside a Minister for Cities - when Premier Dominic Perrottet reshuffles his cabinet in coming weeks.
Jessica Mauboy, who performed at the 2021 Daily Telegraph Bradfield Oration at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Richard Dobson
The Minister’s role will be “to channel home grown into economic opportunities for the future,” the Premier said.
A Modern Manufacturing Commissioner will also be appointed to turbocharge advanced manufacturing.
Guests Deeta Colvin and Michael Cassel at 2021 Bradfield Oration at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Richard Dobson
“The Commissioner’s role will be to identify local research and ideas that we can turn into manufacturing opportunities - and ultimately, jobs for our people,” Mr Perrottet said.
The commissioner will be supported by a taskforce led by Tony Shepherd.
Guests Dr Catriona Wallace and Ann Sherry at 2021 Daily Telegraph Bradfield Oration at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Richard Dobson
“Opportunities in advanced manufacturing are driven by research,” Mr Perrottet said in the Bradfield Oration.
"And research is one of our state’s hidden superpowers.”
“NSW is home to some of the world’s leading universities and research institutes.
“But too frequently we see our homegrown ideas falter or flee elsewhere for lack of local support,” he said.
“So we will establish a new Department of Enterprise and Investment.”
“And within that department I will appoint a Minister for Science, Research and Innovation - to channel our home grown research into economic opportunities for the future.”
Updates
2021 Bradfield Oration wraps up with air of excitement
The Bradfield Oration has wrapped-up for 2021 following inspiring addresses from Premier Dominic Perrottet, PM Scott Morrison and Daily Telegraph Editor Ben English.
Hundreds of politicians, business leaders and experts gathered to discuss a vision for the city’s future in the wake of the pandemic.
Mr Perrottet outlined plans to transform Sydney into a metropolis of six cities encompassing Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast.
He described the post-pandemic period as an unprecedented opportunity to create a world-class city.
“Every generation is tested – and I believe that this is our turn and this is our test," he said.
The Daily Telegraph editor Ben English with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Prime Minister Scott Morrison used the event to highlight the Western Sydney airport as the cornerstone of the city’s future growth.
Daily Telegraph editor Ben English said the city’s greatest challenge moving forward was creating a bold vision for the future.
“We cannot choose the circumstances in which we live – but what we can choose is how we respond,” he said.
Justin Hemmes: Next decade will be the roaring 2020s
Hospitality boss Justin Hemmes has declared he is “more excited than ever” for the future of the hospitality industry as the nation recovers from the pandemic.
The Merivale CEO said his four-day Ivy Weekender festival sold out within half an hour, with 18,000 people set to attend.
“The next decade will be the roaring 2020s. Dancing is back,” he said. “I’ve never seen a response like this. The momentum is stronger than ever.
“We have a golden opportunity to make this amazing city the most desirable place to live and play.”
Daily Telegraph editor Ben English and Sydney restaurateur Justin Hemmes at 2021 Daily Telegraph Bradfield Oration. Picture: Richard Dobson
To wrap-up the first panel, Deputy Editor Anna Caldwell asked experts what sort of event would help unite the city after the pandemic.
Greater Western Sydney Giants chairman Tony Shepherd suggested an Opera.
“I’d love to have a world-class Opera in front of 80,000 people in Australia this year,” he said.
Dr Catriona Wallace recommended a virtual dance party to bring people together again after the lockdown.
“What about if we made a massive dance party in the city but you don’t have to be anywhere but your own home,” she said.
Prominent board director Ann Sherry said an annual Indigenous festival would celebrate the country's heritage.
“What if we could create an event each year where all people are interested in traditional healing and knowledge … we could be the hosts of that.”
Tech panel: Transform Sydney with smart city capabilities
AI expert Dr Catriona Wallace said Australia is missing a huge opportunity to transform Sydney using smart city technologies.
In a panel led by Daily Telegraph deputy editor Anna Caldwell, Dr Wallace urged the government to better leverage tech capabilities.
“We're missing out on a national level embracing the fastest growing technology sector in the world, which is artificial intelligence,” she said.
“In Australia we have just 10 per cent of investment per capita into AI markets and we are way behind.”
“The opportunity that present is to really make this city a hub of artificial intelligence.”
Prominent board director Ann Sherry said virtual technology could be used to encourage tourism in a post-Covid world.
“I’m really excited by the idea of the virtual universe because that starts to ease people into or prompt them in the thinking, well, I could be there. But you can almost see it and feel it before you get there,” she said.
Investment NSW CEO Amy Brown said smart city technologies were critical to stimulating Sydney’s 24-hour economy.
“So now that we're engaging digitally, how can we use that to really assist with the kind of reinvigoration of our economy.
“We’re competing with the staying in economy now like Netflix. So how do we use technology to live and make more convenient and doable and fun the staying out economy.”
Dr Wallace said Sydney had an opportunity to become a world-class city by collaborating with Indigenous Australians to create a metaverse – or immersive virtual universe.
“When we're looking at how we create as a country and as a city, our place on the international stage with regard to AI is that there is a huge role for our Indigenous and First Nations people,” she said.
“Let us build the virtual world here that we know is being built around the rest of the world at the moment and let us have our Indigenous people at the heart of that.”
Jessica Mauboy performs Sydney-inspired single Glow
Sydney will be expanded from a city of three cities into a city of six cities under Mr Perrottet’s vision for future growth.
The vision expands on Lucy Turnbull’s idea of Sydney being a city of three interconnected cities – an Eastern Harbour City, the Central Parramatta River City and a Western City.
Mr Perrottet has announced that Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong will also be included in this strategy."
"These are cities already undergoing rapid change and revitalisation. They have been the industrial workhorses of the past. And they should continue on their trajectory to become future focused precincts of tomorrow.”
A dedicated Minister for Cities will be appointed to oversee this vision and drive investment in these regions, Mr Perrottet said.
The Greater Sydney Commission will also be transformed into the Greater Cities Commission.
"Together this network will link every port – integrating six cities like never before," he said.
"And it will accelerate the next stage of our economic evolution – a NSW that is more open to the world than ever, and ready to take it on.
"More trade opportunities. More job opportunities. More affordable homes and better lifestyles – world class education and world class services – all within reach of an urban hub.
"And in my new cabinet, I will appoint a dedicated Minister for Cities – to maintain the momentum we have built, and deliver on the next evolution of our vision."
Dominic Perrottet: We need to get rid of Sydney's eyesores
Transforming Sydney into a beautiful city admired by generations by getting rid of eyesores was another priority of the government, Mr Perrottet said.
“One architectural aberration can have far reaching consequences. People often say the Cahill Expressway is an ugly structure. But it’s so much worse than that.
“Don’t even get me started on the Sirius building and the 70s modernist monstrosities lurking out the back of Macquarie St that sever our city from the green beauty of the Domain and the Gardens.
“These buildings become barnacles, impossible to scrape from the Harbour City’s majestic bow.
“Sydney’s natural beauty deserves an elegant city. Beauty matters.”
Dominic Perrottet: New commissioner to turn research into manufacturing jobs
The manufacturing sector will receive a huge boost following the appointment of a Commissioner for Modern Manufacturing.
Mr Perrottet made the announcement at Bradfield 2021, saying the advanced manufacturing sector was critical to the state’s post-Covid recovery.
“The sector has grown with strategic government support. But I want to do more. So today I can announce we will appoint a Commissioner for Modern Manufacturing,” he said.
“The Commissioner’s role will be to identify local research and ideas that we can turn into manufacturing opportunities – and ultimately, jobs for our people.”
Jobs and growth will also receive a massive boost with the appointment of a Department of Enterprise and Investment.
Mr Perrottet said a Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology would be appointed within the department.
The department will focus on driving the state’s smart city capabilities through tech investments.
Dominic Perrottet: WestInvest is a change in mindset, as well as funding
Pouring money into infrastructure projects in Sydney’s west is essential to drive the economy and boost quality of life for families.
“Livability also means shifting our focus from the mega-projects to the local projects. Changing the emphasis from the train line, to the destination,” he said.
Mr Perrottet said the government’s $5 billion WestInvest fund would improve parks, modernise schools, local infrastructure and main streets and eat streets.
“WestInvest isn’t just about the money. It’s a campaign mindset for my Ministers, that will endure long after every one of the $5 billion is spent,” he said.
“It’s a mission to make it possible for everyone in Sydney – particularly in the West – to be able to love where they live.”
Dominic Perrottet: Housing affordability approaching crisis point
Boosting home ownership is a key priority for the NSW Government, Mr Perrottet has declared.
“This is a generational issue fast reaching crisis point,” he said.
“If we want future generations to conserve our Australian way of life, we must enable them to claim their stake, so they have something of their own to conserve.”
Mr Perrottet said reforming stamp duty and boosting supply were critical to housing affordability.
“As Premier I will use every lever at my disposal – whether it’s tax, planning, supply, or working with the Commonwealth – to give more people in NSW the opportunity to own their own home.”
“Lifting home ownership is part of our drive to help families who are feeling the squeeze.”
Improving quality of life for families through government vouchers and subsidies was another key focus of the government, Mr Perrottet said.
“Young families often have to face the biggest financial pressures of their lives before they are really established – and for them, every little bit counts.
“So programs like Active Kids, Creative Kids, First Lap, toll relief and even Dine and Discover really are important to me, because they help families get ahead.
“Middle Australia has no lobby group – and so my government will be their most passionate advocate.”
Dominic Perrottet: Let everyone enjoy world's best quality of life
Sydney will be transformed into a liveable, workable and beautiful city as part of Mr Perrottet’s vision for the future.
“We must deliver in the face of uncertainty, and in the midst of adversity. Well we can, and we will."
Mr Perrottet described his infrastructure pipeline as the city’s “steel spine,” just as the Harbour Bridge was the state’s “iron lung” during The Great Depression.
“By connecting the north and the south heads, Bradfield’s bridge changed the very meaning of Sydney. Our big build of metros and motorways will change it again,” he said.
As well as boosting infrastructure, creating a liveable city was key to the Sydney's post-pandemic recovery.
“I believe it's time we went beyond hard infrastructure, to now take stock – and take this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine what Sydney can be," he said.
“My vision for Sydney can be summed up in three words: liveable, workable, beautiful. Our starting point is that we want everyone to be able to enjoy the world’s best quality of life no matter what your postcode is.”
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