Planning guru’s bold vision to save southeast Sydney

PLANNING guru Chris Johnson has said we must extent the light rail to La Perouse and build high density along it to save southeast Sydney.

Chris Johnson has said southeast Sydney can “have its cake and eat it” provided sacrifices are made.

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ONE of Australia’s top planning gurus has set out his vision for how the southeast can retain its charm and open space while accommodating the city’s booming population.

Chris Johnson AM, chief executive of the Urban Taskforce group, said the area “can have its cake and eat it” provided sacrifices are made. In a wideranging interview with the Southern Courier Mr Johnson said we must:

• Ditch the car and turn Sydney into a public transport city;

• Extend the light rail to La Perouse and eventually look at building heavy rail down the length of the peninsula;

• Build towers and high density along the rail lines in order to protect the traditional Australian suburban home and

• Look at what London, Paris and New York are doing and follow their lead.

“Sydney has a population of about five million. In the next generation that will increase to eight million,” the former government planning executive said.

“We can’t stand still. We have to adapt and we have to act now.”

Mr Johnson’s map shows the extended light trail in pink and the high density housing along it in orange.

Public transport is key to his vision and we must forget the ideal of everybody owning a car, Mr Johnson, whose group represents developers in Australia, said.

The light rail and — where possible — the metro system must be quick and efficient, he added. “It is around these transport corridors where we have to build high-density. It’s the only way we can accommodate the numbers and continue to make Sydney a great city to live in.”

Mr Johnson said the light rail should be extended along Anzac Parade to Maroubra, Little Bay and then down to La Perouse with the possibility of it linking up through Eastgardens.

Mr Johnson is chief executive of the Urban Taskforce group which represents developers in Australia. Picture: Hollie Adams.

“Around the major transport hubs there has to be 15 to 20 storeys. Elsewhere, particularly along light rail routes, it will be more like six or eight.

“I think the danger is if we spread mid-level development across the area, everything four storey. By having this tall stuff along the transport routes we can keep our low-density housing, the Australian dream homes with the backyards and the pools.”

He described the Courier’s area as one of the best in Sydney but added that it was somewhat “undercooked”.

“Many people feel threatened by this but there is great opportunity here. With this high density along the transport routes will come new town centres with supermarkets, swimming pools, gymnasiums, cafes, restaurants and cinemas.”

For Sydney to accommodate the population rise, we must build along transport corridors, Mr Johnson has said.

Across greater Sydney. Mr John said the city must look at the Tube rail system in London and build our own Central Line (from the CBD out to Parramatta and Penrith) with a Circle Line (linking the Hills District, Bankstown and the new airport at Badgerys Creek).

“In 40 years we are going to be the size of London and New York, we have to look at what they are doing now.”

He explained the success of a quick and efficient transport system goes hand-in-hand with high-density housing.

“John Bradfield, who was behind the Harbour Bridge, designed Sydney’s original rail system around 1912.

“He visited London and New York and wanted to replicate the rapid transport systems for Sydney. But, at the time, there wasn’t the density to support it. You need the density of people to have a rapid transport system and I think we are now getting towards that.”

Mr Johnson’s plan for a new rail network which would be loosely based on the London Underground. The Central Line would run from the CBD to Parramatta and Penrith while a Circle Line would link the new airport, Liverpool, Sydney airport, Epping and The Hills District

Also key to the successful growth of Sydney was the increased sharing of amenities, facilities and cars, he said.

“Look at the Central Park tower by UTS. They have 60 Go Get (shared cars) in the basement. Car ownership is changing. You are no longer going to need to own a car.”

As well as cars, people must accept not everyone can have backyards and pools and must instead share facilities.

“Many of the objectors to the move towards apartments are Baby Boomers, like myself. People who have lived in big houses and seen the incredible rise in the value of houses over our lifetime. It’s great for us but it has stuffed the next generation.”

Mr Johnson has said we can protect the likes of Maroubra Beach by building along the rail routes.

Bayside Mayor Bill Saravinovski said he had concerns the area could not take more density. “I think it is also important we retain the industrial land in Botany. It can’t all be residential,” he added. He also said he had little confidence in the government over the light rail.

What do you think of Mr Johnson’s proposals? Email [e-mail].

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