Sydney 2040: What Sydney will look like in the future
Developers have created a bold vision for Sydney of the future. Today, The Sunday Telegraph launches its six-part special report into how our CBD and its surrounding suburbs will change — and its impact on residents. SEE THE ARTIST IMPRESSIONS OF SYDNEY 2040
Vertical suburbs where gardens fall from the clouds, a city skyline in which Sydney Tower Eye is put in the shade, skyscrapers that are based on the local NRL team — Sydney, this is your future.
Developers have created a bold vision for Sydney they say will save many suburban streets from redevelopment — and over development — and turn our town into a 21st century powerhouse.
Billionaire Merivale chief executive Justin Hemmes has also weighed in, calling on the state government to make the city centre a greener and more vibrant place 24/7.
As the city’s population marches well beyond five million people with no signs of slowing, the Greater Sydney Commission’s Region Plan says we will need 725,000 new homes over 20 years.
So what will those homes look like and where will they go?
The Sunday Telegraph asked Urban Taskforce CEO and former NSW government architect Chris Johnson to fast forward across Sydney to give a glimpse of how our major suburb centres will look into the future.
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To develop a vision for Sydney’s main centres they have focused on the government’s three-city approach and worked up 20 to 30 year views on the Eastern Harbour City with the Sydney CBD, The Central River City at Parramatta and the Western Parkland City at the Aerotropolis.
They have added the growing city centres of Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith, while looking at how Newcastle and Wollongong could benefit from a fast train connection.
The Urban Taskforce has engaged the skills of architect Chris Bosse of Lava and digital modelling firm Arterra Interactive.
Mr Johnson said his proposal is a way of concentrating development around transport hubs to ensure other areas are left alone.
“Sydney’s suburbs must be protected from excessive development,” he said.
“The suburban detached house model works well for many demographic groups including families and we need to keep this model for future generations.”
In the Sydney CBD, Mr Johnson proposes to lift heights to a level matching other global cities.
The City of Sydney’s population will grow by 42 per cent between now and 2041, increasing to 354,255.
That is the equivalent of the population of Canberra fitting into an area 32 times smaller. In the Urban Taskforce projections the tallest buildings are located above metro rail stations at Barangaroo, Martin Place, Pitt St and Central.
The images also predict the growth of White Bay, which is part of the 95ha of largely government-owned land slated for redevelopment.
“Sydney’s Harbour City has the same potential drama that New York has of tall buildings set on a narrow peninsular sitting in the harbour,” Mr Johnson said.
“The views of the city across water give Sydney a unique setting that is improved with greater height.”
At 305m Sydney Tower Eye (formerly known as Centrepoint Tower) is currently the tallest building in Sydney.
The City of Sydney limits the heights of other buildings to 260m but is proposing to lift them to more than 300m via the Central Sydney Planning Strategy.
However, Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the state government is stifling its plans to expand.
“It’s been three years since we submitted the plan to the State Government, but they have not yet agreed to let us consult the public,” Ms Moore said.
“It’s vital that the State Government let business and the community have their say on the Central Sydney Planning Strategy as soon as possible, because it will shape the future for years to come.
“We know that by 2050, the City of Sydney will need to accommodate a larger population and more jobs.”
Planning Minister Rob Stokes refused to comment on any part of this story or offer a public explanation as to why he won’t say anything.
Mr Johnson, however, said his plans for the city “are a mixture of uses including commercial, residential and retail so that the city is active 24 hours a day”.
“Vertical gardens should weave through the city following the example set by Justin Hemmes Ivy or Central Park on Broadway,” Mr Johnson said.
Mr Hemmes, whose Merivale empire now has 65 venues and worth about $1.05 billion, said the idea for his George St venue Ivy was conceived in 2003 and was inspired by his later mother’s green thumb.
“I wanted to create a garden oasis in the heart of the city,” he said, adding that the city needs more vertical gardens.
“Ivy is a great example of how introducing greenery into the heart of the city on a vertical scale can enhance the fabric of a city.
“It adds a wonderful respite and place for people to congregate in what could otherwise be a harsh environment.”
He said any future Merivale developments in the CBD “will incorporate greenery and vertical gardens where possible”.
As part of Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s 14 new Premier’s Priorities, she wants to increase the proportion of homes in urban areas within 10 minutes’ walk of quality green, open and public space by 10 per cent by 2023.
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