CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

STRATEGY FOR SYDNEY

B
 introduction
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

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VISION FOR CENTRES

• Sydney’s strategic centres will be attractive places to • Centres will offer a range of opportunities and
live, work and invest. experiences for people of different ages, background
and circumstances.
• They will contain high skilled, high quality jobs, strong
education and health facilities, attractive streets, good • Cycling and walking into, out of and around these
urban design and high quality public places. centres will be supported. The network of centres
will be strengthened through reliable and affordable
• Sydney’s major centres will have improved transport
public transport.
links with fast, safe and reliable train services and
a network of strategic bus corridors connecting the
centres across the city.
introduction
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

INTRODUCTION
Concentrating a greater range of activities near to one In 2005, 80 per cent of Sydney’s population live within
another means that it is easier for people to go about 30 minutes by public transport of Global Sydney,
their daily activities. Regional Cities or a Major Centre.
Centres policy, in its various forms, has been a feature The Metropolitan Strategy recognises that policy
of Sydney’s urban planning strategies for decades. The must reflect the diversity of Sydney’s centres, their
benefits of concentrating activities in centres include: different sizes and functions, and consider the specific
• improved access to retail, office, health, education, attributes and opportunities in each.
leisure, entertainment and cultural facilities and
Corridors link many of Sydney’s strategic centres and
community and personal services;
have high concentrations of activity. It is estimated
• encouraging collaboration, healthy competition and
that over 30 per cent of new housing in existing areas
innovation amongst businesses from clustering;
to 2031 will be in the three most significant corridors
• making better use of existing infrastructure; and
covering Parramatta to City, the City to Airport and
• promoting sustainable transport and healthier
North Sydney to Macquarie Park.
communities by giving more people the option of
taking public transport, walking and cycling and In this Strategy, three types of corridors are included:
enabling people to carry out a number of activities in • Economic corridors, which contain important
one location. economic activities in centres and specialised
places. Sydney’s economic corridors are the City to
Sydney’s strategic centres include:
Airport, North Sydney to Macquarie Park, the M5,
• Global Sydney, encompassing Sydney City and North
Parramatta Road and the emerging M7.
Sydney, with nationally and internationally significant
• Renewal corridors which are areas that are partly
businesses, entertainment and cultural facilities;
run down and/or have significant underutilised
• Regional Cities providing a focus for cultural,
infrastructure. The Parramatta to City corridor is
shopping and business services;
one example.
• specialised centres of high value economic activity;
• Enterprise corridors which are the strips of
and
commercial or industrial activity along busy roads.
• major shopping, civic and recreation centres around
public transport. A corridor may be included in more than one of these
categories. For example, Parramatta Road has the
Tables B1 and B2 on page 92 list and describe the
characteristics of all three types of corridors.
types of strategic centres in Sydney.
The State Government, working in partnership with
Strategic centres have a high concentration of
local government, and other stakeholders such as
activities and a minimum of 8,000 jobs. Some have
business and Sydney Ports Corporation will take an
significant and growing residential populations.
active interest in the planning and development of
They all have catchment areas that go beyond local
Sydney’s strategic centres, economic corridors and
government boundaries and are served by rail and/or
renewal corridors.
other forms of public transport.

81

VISION FOR CORRIDORS

• Corridors are the areas around the transport routes • Existing and new infrastructure investment in
that connect centres and activities. these corridors will be used more efficiently by
concentrating new development in these areas to
• Economic corridors will play a key role in the
support their primary role.
metropolitan and national economy, renewal
corridors will be the focus for diverse and liveable
communities and enterprise corridors will provide
locations for important local employment and services.

B
 introduction
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

MEETING THE METROPOLITAN To meet these aims, this Strategy proposes an

STRATEGY AIMS increase in the share of jobs in the strategic centres.
Opportunities to increase the number of residents
This Strategy for Centres and Corridors addresses
living adjacent and accessible to strategic centres will
and provides benefits across all five aims of the
also be pursued.
Metropolitan Strategy.
Sydney’s 27 strategic centres (see Table B1 on page
• It addresses enhanced liveability by providing for
92) contain around 764,000 jobs (or almost 40 per cent
growth and a greater range of activities located near
of Sydney’s total) and around 170,000 residents. The
to one another. This will occur in better structured
Government has an employment capacity target of
and designed places, where walking and cycling
over one million jobs by 2031 in the existing strategic
can be encouraged and where renewal can make
centres. A further 68,000 jobs are identified for 10
places vibrant, viable and safe. Development will
centres which have the potential to become strategic
be focused in locations with transport, away from
centres by 2031.
suburban areas where traditional family housing and
local character is particularly valued. If this is achieved, 45 per cent of all Sydney’s jobs
• It addresses economic competitiveness by would be located in these centres by 2031. Over the
clustering and concentrating business, education life of the Metropolitan Strategy, the number of people
and health activities, providing synergies and living in these centres is anticipated to increase to
relationships that lead to innovation, economic 310,000.
activity and development.
Many of Sydney’s strategic centres support job
• It addresses fairness by planning for a spread
creation, encourage social and learning activities and
of activities and services in the array of centres
have attractive working and living environments. The
and corridors right across the metropolitan area,
planning system needs to support and manage growth
providing more equitable access.
and change in these well functioning centres. In other
• It addresses environmental protection by
cases, centres and corridors need support to attain
concentrating activities around public transport,
their potential.
thereby reducing car reliance and leading to less
emissions and pollution, and minimising the urban Many Sydneysiders are already living in compact
footprint. centre environments close to cafes, restaurants,
• It addresses improved governance by clarifying movies and theatres, gyms, learning institutions,
the State Government’s strategic directions with and close or accessible to jobs, services and public
regard to the future location of jobs and housing, transport. The Government encourages this trend in a
providing more certainty for infrastructure agencies way that protects the core economic and employment
and providing opportunities to make better use of activity role of strategic centres and corridors located
investments in infrastructure in the strategic centres on the public transport network.
and corridors.
One of the challenges for this Centres and Corridors
Strategy is to get the right balance between working
and living in centres.

82

FIGURE B1 EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING CAPACITY TARGETS IN STRATEGIC CENTRES

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 introduction
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

OBJECTIVES AND INITIATIVESS

CENTRES CORRIDORS
B1 PROVIDE PLACES AND LOCATIONS B5 PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN THE
FOR ALL TYPES OF ECONOMIC PRIMARY ROLE OF ECONOMIC CORRIDORS
ACTIVITY AND EMPLOYMENT ACROSS
B5.1 Establish Stronger Corridors planning and
THE SYDNEY REGION
development initiative.
B1.1 Establish a typology of centres. B5.2 Strengthen the economic role of the Orbital
B1.2 Establish employment capacity targets for Motorway Network.
strategic centres.
B6 FOCUS DEVELOPMENT IN
B2 INCREASE DENSITIES IN CENTRES RENEWAL CORRIDORS TO MAXIMISE
WHILST IMPROVING LIVEABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE UTILISATION WHERE
B2.1 Plan for housing in centres consistent with DEMAND AND OPPORTUNITIES EXIST
their employment role.
B6.1 Implement the Parramatta to City corridor plan.
B6.2 Identify future renewal corridors.
B3 CLUSTER BUSINESS AND
KNOWLEDGE–BASED ACTIVITIES IN B7 RECOGNISE THE ROLE OF ENTERPRISE
STRATEGIC CENTRES CORRIDORS AS LOCATIONS FOR LOCAL
B3.1 Establish a Stronger Centres Initiative. EMPLOYMENT
B3.2 Strengthen centres management.
B7.1 Create a zone recognising the role of enterprise
B3.3 Use Government assets and investment to
corridors.
support centres.
B7.2 Provide guidance on development in enterprise
B3.4 Ensure sufficient commercial office sites in
corridors.
strategic centres.

B4 CONCENTRATE ACTIVITIES NEAR

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
B4.1 Concentrate retail activity in centres,
business development zones and enterprise
corridors.
B4.2 Support centres with transport infrastructure
and services.

83
 background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

HISTORY OF SYDNEY’S CENTRES Centres policies have concentrated major retail

POLICY 1951–2004 developments, thereby linking public transport
with trip making activities. Business and office
Most successful cities have a history of supporting their
development is also predominately in centres served
centres through the adoption and implementation of
by public transport. This has supported Government
centres policies. Over the past 50 years, metropolitan
investment in infrastructure and reduced car
strategies for Sydney have contained centres
dependence. In 2001 39 per cent of work trips to
policies that have identified major centres, supported
strategic centres were by public transport compared
nominated centres and restricted and regulated office
to seven percent for work trips to other places.
based and retail activities outside of centres.
Sydney’s first post war strategic plan — the County
This current Centres and Corridors Strategy builds on
of Cumberland Plan 1948 to 1951 — proposed that
the success of past policies. Centres policies have
Sydney be divided into a series of districts each with a
reduced pressure on central Sydney, created a second
centre, and one County Centre located in what is now
CBD at Parramatta, upgraded the public transport
known as the Sydney CBD. The district centres were
network serving those centres and concentrated
planned to be a focus for activities, provide better
major retail developments in subregional centres.
access to the developing areas and to reduce the
Through centres policy support since the late potential for congestion in the County Centre.
1960s, Parramatta has grown from around 10,000
The 1968 Sydney Region Outline Plan (SROP)
jobs to around 40,000 jobs. It has emerged as a
addressed the dramatic population growth not
cosmopolitan and business hub for Western Sydney,
anticipated by the County Plan, through a number of
and continues to grow, with the justice and civic
growth corridors each made up of a series of towns
precinct developments and the upgrade to the rail–bus
or, in the case of the south west sector, later known
interchange part of the next wave of development.
as Macarthur, a city. Each new town was to be served
The extended development area around Parramatta
by a town centre whilst Campbelltown and Parramatta
provides important employment, services and
were to be subregional centres. Town centres were
residential opportunities with the medical cluster
Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Penrith to serve the
at Westmead to its west; Rydalmere and Camelia
west sector and Chatswood to serve the growing
industrial areas to the east; inner city housing
northern areas.
areas such as Harris Park; and the University of
Western Sydney campus at Rydalmere. The growth
of Parramatta has eased congestion on central city
transport infrastructure. Around 35 per cent of work
trips to Parramatta centre are by public transport —
the highest share for centres outside those in and
around central Sydney.

84

CUMBERLAND PLAN VISION COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND PLAN SYDNEY REGION OUTLINE PLAN (SROP) SYDNEY INTO ITS THIRD CENTURY
1948–1951 1948–1951 1968 1988
background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

The 1988 Metropolitan Plan incorporated a centres TRENDS

policy which had evolved into a more structured form
Sydney’s jobs are concentrated in large centres such
than in previous strategic plans. It nominated three
as Sydney City, North Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith,
regional centres and 18 subregional centres to serve a
Liverpool, Campbelltown, Chatswood, Hornsby, Bondi
proposed population of 4.5 million people by 2011.
Junction, Blacktown, Bankstown, Chatswood, Dee
Parramatta was nominated as Sydney’s second CBD Why/Brookvale and Hurstville. The rest are located in
and North Sydney was recognised as an integral smaller centres, industrial areas or dispersed in small
component of central Sydney. With few exceptions, precincts including in Villages and neighbourhoods. The
the 21 nominated centres were served by rail and number of people who work from home is growing,
were targeted to provide for 30 per cent of all jobs by though at a rate slower than previously expected.
2011. In 1981, these centres housed 24 per cent of all
The Sydney CBD is the major central business
jobs in the region.
district within Australia, providing a focal point for
The next major policy to include centres with detailed Australia’s relationship with the global economy. It has
planning and development criteria was the 2001 a concentration of higher order jobs in finance and
Integrated Land Use and Transport Policy Package business services, multimedia and communications
(ILUT), specifically ‘The Right Place for Business as well as tourism, cultural industries and hospitality. It
and Services’ component (reflected in draft State has been a magnet for jobs growth in the last 20 years
Environmental Planning Policy 66). This listed as the globalisation of the economy has accelerated.
the largest centres across the metropolitan area,
Over the past 40 years, higher order office activities
nominating Sydney City (including North Sydney),
spread to North Sydney, St Leonards, Chatswood
Parramatta, Newcastle and Wollongong as the primary
and increasingly, Macquarie Park. Many jobs are also
commercial and institutional hubs in the Greater
located in specialised economic centres such as
Metropolitan Region, and a further 31 locations as
Sydney Airport, Port Botany and in industrial estates
major centres.
along the City to Airport corridor.
Major centres were nominated as the preferred
locations for large scale suburban office development
and higher order retail, entertainment, commercial and
public facilities. However, the policy did not distinguish
the different types or roles of the centres, in particular
those with a strategic or specialised economic role,
and did not identify the smaller centres that play an
important role as hubs for high density living. The
Metropolitan Strategy takes centres policy a step
further by making these distinctions and identifying
housing and employment capacity targets.

85

MANY JOBS ARE ALSO LOCATED IN

SPECIALISED ECONOMIC CENTRES
 background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

DOMINANCE OF THE GLOBAL PARRAMATTA AS A SECOND CBD

ECONOMIC CORRIDOR Parramatta, nominated as the second CBD for Sydney
The global economic corridor links Macquarie Park, in 1968, has been one of the successes of Sydney’s
Chatswood, St Leonards and North Sydney in the centres policy. In 1970 Parramatta had around
north; Sydney City and Pyrmont–Ultimo, and major 10,000 jobs; it currently has around 40,000 jobs.
research, health and education facilities, residential The Parramatta Regional Environmental Plan (REP)
and industrial areas; and Sydney’s two major global forecasts job potential at around 60,000 by 2021 and
gateways Sydney Airport and Port Botany to the south. this is broadly consistent with more recent NSW
It contains strong industry clusters in finance and Government projections.
business services, information intensive industries,
The relocation of State and Federal Government jobs
global and national transport and multimedia.
to Parramatta was the catalyst for its development.
It is accessible from high income residential areas and Recent commitments have been to locate the
encompasses high quality amenities including Sydney headquarters of NSW Police and Sydney Water
Harbour, parkland and cultural and entertainment in Parramatta and to develop the civic and justice
facilities. Five of Sydney’s six universities are located precincts. Parramatta has increased jobs in finance
in the corridor. and business services and has upgraded cultural and
river precincts. Parramatta faces competition from
The global economic corridor is the powerhouse
suburban business parks such as Sydney Olympic
of the Australian economy. Around 40 per cent of
Park, Rhodes, Macquarie Park and Norwest.
Sydney’s total jobs, and over 75 per cent of Sydney’s
information technology and telecommunications jobs,
are located there.
This corridor is the favoured location for global
corporations establishing their regional headquarters
in Australia, and is served by heavy rail. The only
exception is Macquarie Park, which is being
connected by the Chatswood to Epping rail link,
due for completion in 2008. The proposed rail link is
stimulating activity in Macquarie Park.

86

PARRAMATTA, SYDNEY’S SECOND CBD ON THE PARRAMATTA RIVER

JOHN MARMARAS
background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

GROWTH OF BUSINESS PARKS INCREASING RESIDENTIAL

The growth of business parks is a relatively new
DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRES
phenomenon. Business tenants are attracted by Development controls in the city’s major centres are
spacious and attractive work environments, ample focused on zoning for retail and commercial uses. In
parking, multi–purpose facilities integrating factory, the last 20 years, consistent with State Government
warehouse and office functions and competitive rents policies, residential uses have also been encouraged
compared to city office locations. in some centres. As residential locations, centres
provide good amenities with restaurants, shops,
However, there must be a range of public transport
entertainment and cultural facilities and jobs. For
options available to manage and reduce car
many young people, dwellings in centres provide
dependence. Business parks are competing with
opportunities for a first home purchase. For older
traditional high density centres such as North Sydney,
residents or ‘empty nesters’, centres provide a quality
St Leonards and Chatswood and their success is
and affordable living environment.
making it more difficult for centres in rapidly growing
subregions to attract office based jobs. The movement Increasing residential densities is improving the
of businesses from traditional office markets into vibrancy and viability of a number of centres by
business park environments reflects the recent improved safety, increasing al fresco dining and retail
disparity between employment growth in ‘traditional’ demand and better use of public transport.
centres and business park locations.
The growth of residential opportunities in centres
reinforces the need to improve mobility and amenities
in the centres. This includes investing in pedestrian
and cycling infrastructure, improving safety and urban
design to promote social capital.
Centres are also important destinations for people
travelling to jobs. For some years, the rate of return for
developers of medium to high residential development
in centres has been greater than the rates of return
from commercial development. It is important that
strategic centres offer sufficient sites for employment
as well as residential development.
A number of centres are creating both higher density
and attractive living environments and pursing
innovative employment opportunities. There is
significant potential to increase employment and
residential densities in centres whilst improving public
transport use and the quality of urban environments
and amenities.

87

FIGURE B2 ANNUAL AVERAGE JOB GROWTH — TRADITIONAL CENTRES AND BUSINESS PARKS

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ANNUAL AVERAGE JOB GROWTH

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CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

UNDERPERFORMANCE OF INDUSTRIAL
SOME STRATEGIC CENTRES RESTRUCTURING
Some strategic centres such as Liverpool, Bankstown, A spatial outcome of industrial restructuring is
Campbelltown and Blacktown in Western Sydney, the growing demand for integrated facilities, with
and Gosford and Wyong on the Central Coast, have consolidation of manufacturing, warehousing, research
underperformed in terms of jobs growth over the and office functions on the one site in employment
past decade. lands. Economies of scale are driving many
businesses to consolidate activities on one site, and
When the growth of residents constantly outstrips the
competitive rents are attracting them to consolidate
growth of locally available jobs, out–commuting and
in industrial estates or business parks rather than
higher than average unemployment will result.
in traditional centres. Conversely, many businesses
More jobs, including skilled jobs, need to be created are outsourcing non–core activities such as finance,
in the centres in parts of Sydney with high population marketing, design and technical support, which tends
growth so residents have better access to jobs near to support the strengthening of strategic centres. A
to where they live. Many new jobs are being created number of local councils have pursued aggressive
in centres, including in retail, business services, and strategies to attract service based activities into
in some cases health and education. Policy needs to industrial estates.
reinforce this.
The growth of retailing in industrial estates is another
significant trend. The Integrated Land Use and
Transport Policy package addressed this by including
criteria to direct retailing and other trip generating
activity to strategic centres. Another feature of
industrial restructuring is strong employment growth
in many industries suitable for centres, including
finance and business services, community services,
accommodation and hospitality.

88

RIVERSIDE CORPORATE PARK, NORTH RYDE

DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

INFRASTRUCTURE PRINCIPLES FOR CORRIDORS

NETWORKS
The evolution of Sydney’s transport infrastructure, INFRASTRUCTURE UTILISATION
particularly Sydney’s Orbital Motorway Network, is Growth will be directed to those corridors where
impacting on the development potential of centres. there is existing or future capacity along the main
The completion of the M7 Motorway and the Lane public transport systems. Development will need
Cove Tunnel will improve accessibility to a number to take account of the existing and future capacity
of major trip generating centres from all over Sydney of other forms of infrastructure, including utilities,
including Sydney Airport, Port Botany, Sydney schools and hospitals and open space.
City, North Sydney and employment centres such
as Macquarie Park, Norwest, Penrith, Rouse Hill,
Liverpool and Campbelltown. CONNECTING PLACES
The main public transport routes that connect strategic
The broader impact of the Orbital Motorway Network
centres must operate effectively. Equally important
on much of Western Sydney will be significant. Many
are the local transport links which connect surrounding
freight generating industrial activities are looking to
villages to the main public transport route.
locate near it. For example, Toll Ipec has established
its State office and metropolitan parcel sorting facility
at the Moorebank Industrial Estate near the M5. Coles
RIPE FOR RENEWAL
Myer is set to locate its massive distribution centre
A number of Sydney’s declining corridors have the
at the junction of the M4 and M7. Locating strategic
potential for additional growth due to their existing or
industrial estates around the Orbital Motorway
proposed infrastructure investments.
Network has the potential to ease pressure on local
roads and transit corridors that feed the strategic centres.
Public transport strategies will improve efficiency of PROTECT CORE ROLES
the existing public transport network. For example, Corridor development will not be pursued at the
strategic bus corridors will reorganise bus routes, expense of their existing economic roles. Protecting
providing for more direct services between centres, land for core and specialised employment uses and
particularly for cross–regional movements. The Rail reinforcing clusters within economic and enterprise
Clearways program will improve the efficiency of the corridors will often be fundamental to the economic
existing rail network, which interconnects Sydney’s performance of the individual subregion.
centres. These issues are addressed in more detail in
the Transport Strategy.

89

DEVELOPMENT WILL NEED TO TAKE IN TO ACCOUNT

INFRASTRUCTURE,UTILITIES,
SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND OPEN SPACE
 background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY SUPPORT DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

Best practice sustainable approaches to growth will be Meeting the changing housing needs of the
implemented. community through a range of housing types is
required. This will support varying culturally diverse
The Parramatta to City corridor structure planning work
groups, and provide a greater range of house prices.
has illustrated a series of sustainable approaches to
development, including:
• increasing densities around existing or proposed FUNDING
transit nodes to promote greater use of public The upfront costs and funding sources for delivering
transport; infrastructure improvements to support growth should
• providing a critical mass of development to sustain be identified.
solar power cell banks, a facility to recycle grey
water, as well as centralise waste collection (Sydney
GOVERNANCE
Olympic Park has pioneered these techniques);
Partnerships between State Government and local
• planning an integrated network of accessible
government which examine future land use changes
and usable open spaces (including rejuvenating
and infrastructure needs are required as corridors
waterways);
often transcend more than one local government area.
• establishing a local and regional network of cycle and
pedestrian routes;
• investigating new transport options such as light rail,
and extending dedicated bus lanes; and
• reducing demand for car travel through parking
restriction programs, park and ride schemes (as
trialled at Rosehill) and travel demand management
programs for major centres.

90
SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK AUTHORITY

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK AUTHORITY

background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

CHALLENGES
Centres and Corridors challenges are:

• Achieving employment capacity targets while

also increasing residential development in
strategic centres.

• Continuing to grow Parramatta as a regional city with

commercial and business services complementary
to the growth of Sydney Olympic Park, Rhodes and
Norwest as well as developing Liverpool and Penrith
as regional cities.

• Increasing the share of jobs going to centres in

rapidly growing areas of Western and South West
Sydney, as well as the Central Coast, to increase job
opportunities for new residents in these subregions.

• Increasing the share of trips made by public

transport to centres.

• Establishing new business parks to generate

business opportunities while increasing the share of
public transport use for trips to these centres.

• Maintaining the status of corridors as employment

locations while utilising their potential for
additional housing.

• Achieving high amenity outcomes in corridors where

traffic volumes are significant.

91
JANET CHAPPELL
 background
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

TABLE B1 TYPES OF STRATEGIC CENTRES

Global Sydney The main focus for national and international Sydney City*
business, professional services, specialised health North Sydney
and education precincts, specialised shops and
tourism, it is also a recreation and entertainment
destination for the Sydney region and has national
and international significance.

Regional Cities** With a full range of business, government, retail, Parramatta

cultural, entertainment and recreational activities. Liverpool
They are a focal point for regional transport Penrith
and jobs.

Specialised Centres Areas containing major airports, ports, hospitals, Macquarie Park, St Leonards,
universities, research and business activities Olympic Park/Rhodes, Port
that perform vital economic and employment Botany, Sydney Airport,
roles across the metropolitan area. The way they Randwick Education and
interact with the rest of the city is complex and Health, Westmead, Bankstown
growth and change in and around them must be Airport/Milperra, Norwest

Major Centres** The major shopping and business centre for Bankstown, Blacktown, Bondi
the surrounding area with a full scale shopping Junction, Brookvale/Dee Why,
mall, council offices, taller office and residential Burwood, Campbelltown,
buildings, central community facilities and a Castle Hill, Chatswood,
minimum of 8,000 jobs. Hornsby, Hurstville, Kogarah

* Sydney City includes the CBD, Sydney Education and Health Precinct, Pyrmont/Ultimo, Kings Cross, the NSW State cultural
institutions, the Walsh Bay cultural precinct and the St Vincent’s/Darlinghurst Health Precinct.
** Outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area, Wollongong is the regional city for the Illawarra and Newcastle is the regional city for the
Lower Hunter. Gosford is the regional city for the Central Coast and Tuggerah is a Major Centre on the Central Coast. Separate but
related strategies will guide growth and change in these three regions within the Greater Metropolitan Region; however, Gosford
and Tuggerah’s employment capacity targets and housing capacity targets are incorporated into the Metropolitan Strategy.

92

TABLE B2 EMERGING STRATEGIC CENTRES

Planned Major Centres Locations for shopping and services in identified Rouse Hill, Leppington,
residential growth areas. Green Square

Potential Major Centres These have assets, including transport or open Sutherland, Cabramatta, Mt
space connections, and potential as shopping and Druitt, Fairfield, Prairiewood
service hubs, in existing areas of the city which
may have increased residential development.
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

ACTIONS B1.1 ESTABLISH A TYPOLOGY OF CENTRES

B1 PROVIDE PLACES AND LOCATIONS
FOR ALL TYPES OF ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY AND EMPLOYMENT ACROSS B1.1.1 Classify strategic centres according to size,
location and function.
THE SYDNEY REGION
Sydney’s centres vary widely, depending on the
To ensure that Sydney is a prosperous and fair city,
number of jobs, the amount and type of shops, or the
with opportunities available for all, planning needs to
services that are provided.
provide for centres with different functions in all parts
of the metropolitan area. A new typology for centres has been developed to
assist strategic planning and communication between
By identifying centres of different types, in different
State Government and local government. The new
parts of the city, State Government and local
typology will not be embedded in the statutory
government can direct their planning and investment
system; the intention is to provide a common
to ensure that a fair distribution of economic activity
language and understanding about the places that
(shopping, services, entertainment and cultural
make up Sydney.
activities), supported by public transport, is available
across the city. Key aspects of this plan therefore, are Table B1 shows that within the typology there are four
to establish a typology of centres, establish capacity types of strategic centres which will be of particular
targets for employment outcomes in these centres planning interest to the State Government. The range
and support these through State and local planning of smaller centres across Sydney, the Towns, Villages
and infrastructure investment. and Neighbourhood Centres — will also be a focus
for additional jobs and dwellings over the life of the
Metropolitan Strategy. These centres will primarily
be planned at a subregional and local level, and are
addressed in more detail in the Housing Strategy.
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FIGURE B3
SYDNEY’S STRATEGIC
CENTRES
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 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B1.2 ESTABLISH EMPLOYMENT CAPACITY An explicit policy of increasing and concentrating

TARGETS FOR STRATEGIC CENTRES jobs in strategic centres in Western Sydney, is more
likely to be successful than a general and dispersed
approach. The flow–on benefits associated with
B1.2.1 Adopt employment capacity targets for
concentrating development in Parramatta are proof
strategic centres.
of this approach. A growing proportion of jobs will be
The Metropolitan Strategy is planning for one million service based, aiding the shift to centres.
jobs to be located in the 27 existing strategic centres
Tables B3 and B4 identify the type of centres and
by 2031, an increase of 236,000 jobs.
employment planning targets to 2031. These targets
Potential strategic centres may also accommodate are based on the NSW Government’s baseline
68,000 jobs, an increase of 42,000 jobs. Potential employment forecasts for Sydney, plus adjustments to
strategic centres all have transport infrastructure take into account capacity of centres to grow, size and
(existing or planned) and other assets. They are already rate of growth of subregions, and attributes of centres.
growing or are in subregions where significant growth
is projected. These figures assume high growth off
B1.2.2 State Government and local government
a low base in the planned centres, and a doubling of
to achieve employment capacity targets for
employment in the potential centres.
strategic centres.
The share of total jobs in strategic centres is expected
New Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) will be required
to increase from just over 40 per cent to almost
to reflect the employment capacity targets. State led
45 per cent.
planning in strategic centres and council’s involvement
Within the demands of the market the employment in subregional planning will inform this process.
capacity targets also emphasise the distribution of
The capacity of infrastructure in centres will be a
jobs, by planning for an increase in the share of jobs in
key consideration in achieving the targets and State
centres in rapidly growing areas of Western and South
agencies will be involved in reporting on these issues
West Sydney, as well as the Central Coast.
through subregional planning. The targets will also
inform agency capital works and services planning.

94

PENRITH — REGIONAL RIVER CITY LOCATED ON THE NEPEAN RIVER LIVERPOOL — REGIONAL RIVER CITY LOCATED ON THE GEORGES RIVER
JOHN MARMARAS
CRAIG ALLCHIN
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

TABLE B3 SYDNEY’S STRATEGIC CENTRES EMPLOYMENT CAPACITY TARGETS 2001–2031

2001 2031 Change

Centre Type Centre/Precinct Employment Capacity Target 2001–2031
Global Sydney SYDNEY 331,572 380,000 14.5%

NORTH SYDNEY 49,160 60,000 22.0%

Regional Cities PARRAMATTA 41,662 60,000 44.0%

LIVERPOOL 15,533 30,000 93.0%

PENRITH 19,074 30,000 57.0%

GOSFORD* 12,284 17,000 38.0%

Specialised Centres MACQUARIE PARK 32,308 55,000 70.0%

ST LEONARDS 25,166 33,000 31.0%

OLYMPIC PARK/RHODES 13,667 25,000 83.0%

PORT BOTANY AND ENVIRONS 11,264 12,000 6.5%

SYDNEY AIRPORT AND ENVIRONS 36,063 55,000 52.5%

RANDWICK EDUCATION AND HEALTH 9,790 12,000 22.6%

WESTMEAD 13,267 20,000 50.1%

BANKSTOWN AIRPORT/MILPERRA 16,325 20,000 22.5%

NORWEST 4,651 15,000 322.0%

Major Centres BANKSTOWN 10,094 14,000 38.7%

BLACKTOWN 10,220 15,000 46.8%

BONDI JUNCTION 9,821 14,000 42.6%

BROOKVALE/DEE WHY 9,663 12,000 24.1%

BURWOOD 9,525 13,000 36.5%

CAMPBELLTOWN 10,542 15,000 42.3%

CASTLE HILL 9,091 12,000 32.0%

CHATSWOOD 22,923 28,000 22.2%

HORNSBY 9,412 12,000 27.5%

HURSTVILLE 12,983 17,000 30.1%

KOGARAH 9,476 12,000 26.6% 95

WYONG/TUGGERAH* 8,417 12,000 42.6%

TOTAL 763,953 1,000,000 31%

* CENTRES LOCATED ON THE CENTRAL COAST WILL
BE PART OF A SEPARATE REGIONAL STRATEGY

TABLE B4 EMPLOYMENT CAPACITY TARGETS IN SYDNEY’S EMERGING STRATEGIC CENTRES 2001–2031

2001 2031 Change

Centre Type Centre/Precinct Employment Capacity Target 2001–2031
Planned Major Centres GREEN SQUARE 5,827 14,000 140%

ROUSE HILL 937 9,000 861%

LEPPINGTON 1,520 9,000 492%

Potential Major Centres FAIRFIELD 4,429

MT DRUITT 2,838

PRAIRIEWOOD 2,278 36,000 100%

CABRAMATTA 4,198
SUTHERLAND 4,134

TOTAL 26,161 68,000

 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B2 INCREASE DENSITIES IN CENTRES B2.1 PLAN FOR HOUSING IN CENTRES

WHILST IMPROVING LIVEABILITY CONSISTENT WITH THEIR EMPLOYMENT ROLE

Higher density residential and commercial

B2.1.1 Encourage greater housing density in
development in and around centres is compatible
centres where capacity for employment and civic
with enhancing liveability. Centres like Kogarah have
roles is provided.
significantly increased densities and successfully
revitalised shopping and service precincts. Strategic centres will accommodate residential
development compatible with the employment
Through new development, these centres provide for
capacity targets set out in Tables B3 and B4. State led
increased social interaction and enhanced services.
planning in strategic centres, and subregional planning
Busy and lively centres provide communities with
will establish compatible housing targets in centres.
a sense of identity and assist some people to
overcome a sense of isolation. They can facilitate Local government will reflect these housing targets
upgrades of services due to higher potential returns and provide a mix of housing types and densities
from growing use. based on a sound analysis of housing capacity and
housing needs, including for the ageing population.
Centres encourage diversity. Successful centres
These targets will be incorporated in local planning
provide a range of cultural, community and educational
instruments.
services as well as business and retail activities.
As well as the other actions to encourage greater
activity in centres, additional residential development
is also encouraged.

96

KOGARAH TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

JUSTIN COOPER
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B3 CLUSTER BUSINESS AND B3.1 ESTABLISH A STRONGER

KNOWLEDGE–BASED ACTIVITIES IN CENTRES INITIATIVE
STRATEGIC CENTRES
B3.1.1 Establish a Stronger Centres Initiative
Industry clustering and specialisation in centres
covering the strategic centres of Sydney and the
improves business transactions, promotes
Greater Metropolitan Region.
continuous learning and spurs economic innovation.
Recent literature on ‘learning cities’ emphasises the In 2004, the State Government provided $2 million to
benefits of constant interaction between knowledge strengthen centres. These funds were divided between
institutions, business and the community as a driver seven Western Sydney councils, as well as Newcastle
of competitiveness. City, Wollongong City, Gosford City and Wyong Shire
Councils to undertake centres revitalisation projects.
To achieve the benefits of clustering, and the
This work is now well advanced and has provided
employment capacity targets for the strategic centres,
a platform for a range of projects in partnerships
there is a need to plan for and create environments
between the State Government and the councils, and
that attract new business activities and to provide
for new work in different centres and corridors.
magnet infrastructure as a catalyst for new investment.
The projects cover initiatives to revitalise or renew
Proactive planning with local government and between suburban centres, and increase their attractiveness as
State agencies is critical. The State Government locations for employment, such as:
will couple strong planning in the strategic centres • creating more distinct precincts for offices, new
with the use of available levers, such as coordinating residential development, cultural activities, recreation
Government investment and locating Government and transport, to ensure that a range of activities
office activities to support clusters of office and occur in centres;
knowledge–based activity in centres. • enhancing connections across rail lines to better
integrate centres;
• using State owned lands to unlock development
opportunities for new residential or commercial
uses in the heart of centres around rail stations or
along riverfronts;
• coordinating investments in health and education
to increase the range and quality of jobs available
in centres;
• identifying street or road works to ensure that
the increase in accessibility provided by new
strategic bus corridor networks is at the same
time compatible with the high quality amenity and
environments the centres require;
• better connecting centres to rivers, waterways or
parks to improve image and liveability; and
• rethinking old ways of transport planning to improve
97
access to centres, and how easy and safe it is to
move around them (including planning for strategic
bus corridors and integrated bus networks involving
local communities).

LIVERPOOL TAFE — ‘LEARNING CITY’

TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW
 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

The Stronger Centres Initiative builds on this earlier B3.1.2 Evaluate the current centres planning and
centres revitalisation work. Ultimately, its purpose development program to strengthen future projects.
is to cluster a range of jobs, services and housing
To inform and direct the emphasis of the Stronger
around public transport nodes that serve population
Centres funding the current $2 million Centres
catchment areas. Although there is a great diversity
Planning and Development projects of the 11 councils
between centres, successful centres usually have a
will be evaluated. This evaluation can be used to set
number of things in common. Successful centres:
priorities and identify approaches for future projects.
• are accessible and pedestrian friendly;
• provide good public transport options;
• contain good jobs, learning opportunities and cultural B3.1.3 Release a detailed Centres Reinvigoration
activities; and Report for the strategic centres in 2006.
• have good, safe public domain spaces.
A Centres Reinvigoration Report which will identify
The Stronger Centres Initiative proposes a State/local opportunities and constraints for all of Sydney’s
partnership using these basic principles and a vision strategic centres will be prepared following the
led approach to centre planning. Activities include release of the Metropolitan Strategy.
preparing Development Control Plans, improving
amenities and access, identifying sites for large scale
development, including for magnet infrastructure, and
preparing supportive marketing strategies to guide the
futures of the strategic centres.
Of particular importance are the Regional Cities,
centres in the global economic corridor (refer to the
Stronger Corridors Initiative B5.1 in the Corridors
Strategy), major centres where jobs growth
has lagged and specialised centres which need
coordinated planning to reach their future potential.
Subregional planning and the Stronger Centres
Initiative will also identify development projects that
can act as catalysing or magnet infrastructure to
achieve desired development outcomes in centres.
(Refer to A2.3 of the Economy and Employment
Strategy).

98

STATE/LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS TO PREPARE A

VISION–LED APPROACH
TO CENTRE PLANNING
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CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B3.2 STRENGTHEN CENTRES MANAGEMENT The levy funds physical improvements such as
increased lighting to improve safety, new gathering
spaces for the community, tree planting and
Where ownership of business parks or shopping landscaping, seating, redesigning footpaths and
centres is centralised it is possible to closely control gardens, installing innovative artwork and signage to
design, tenant mix and promotion. Centres with reinforce the centre’s identity, and improving access
multiple owners and tenants struggle to replicate for pedestrians and cyclists for people with a disability.
these advantages. Strengthening the management
In some centres the levy has also funded business
of strategic centres is an important part of improving
development and promotion activities.
their competitiveness.
The SCIP team works closely with the local
community to tap into the soul of the suburb and
B3.2.1 Department of Planning, Department of
guide the improvements.
Local Government and councils to create Business
Improvement Districts in Sydney’s strategic centres. The Metropolitan Strategy will encourage the
establishment of BIDs in strategic centres. Councils
The participation of property owners and businesses
will utilise special rates on property owners with
in the preparation of strategies and implementation
revenues allocated to priority projects identified
of centre specific projects is essential. These projects
by a representative body. Legal responsibilities for
include beautification, safety measures, developing
maintaining assets stay with council.
infrastructure priorities, marketing and maintenance
of existing facilities. Experience in North America,
Europe and elsewhere in Australia illustrates Business
Improvement Districts (BIDs) bring substantial
benefits to Sydney’s centres.
Brisbane City Council’s Suburban Centre Improvement
Projects (SCIPs) are a form of Business Improvement
District designed to make centres in Brisbane more
attractive for visitors and new businesses.
The council works with property owners in the centre
to complete SCIPs. Property owners contribute to
the SCIP through an agreed levy. The levy is then
reimbursed to Council over a 10 year period after
construction.

99

EXISTING INITIATIVES IN SYDNEY

TO IMPROVE CENTRES

• A number of councils in Sydney including Penrith,

Bankstown, Liverpool and Fairfield apply a special
levy that is put into a fund for centre works.
MAIN STREET ST MARYS

• Penrith Council has gone further in providing the

Penrith Town Centre Association and St Marys Town
Centre Association with support and authority to set
priorities for expenditure.

• Ryde City Council is currently working with

property owners in Macquarie Park to establish
a management group. The initiative will allocate
resources back to an owners’ group to set priorities
around particular precinct and infrastructure as well
as marketing strategies.
ANDREW TAM
 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

A number of Sydney councils have special levies B3.3 USE GOVERNMENT ASSETS AND
on businesses in their centres. The BIDs will utilise INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT CENTRES
these special levies on property owners, establish
special funds to fund priority centre projects, establish B3.3.1 State agencies, industry and universities
management committees to allocate funds, enter to undertake a program to examine global
into joint venture arrangements with accredited public competitiveness in strategic centres.
sector agencies to implement priority projects, and
The competitiveness of Sydney’s strategic centres
create new organisational structures to be eligible
will have a significant bearing on the future
to attract government support for high value added
economic performance of the city. The centres have
strategic projects.
generally provided regionally competitive business
BIDs can only be established with the support of accommodation, rents and transport infrastructure.
representative groups of property owners in strategic Nevertheless, the competition from other Australian
centres. To become eligible for BID status, centres of and overseas locations is growing and a new
State interest must have: competitiveness emphasis is required.
• an established and representative management
Sydney’s economic competitiveness is of critical
committee;
importance to State Government departments —
• a four year strategic plan; and
particularly the Department of State and Regional
• endorsement by the relevant local council.
Development, the Ministry for Science and Medical
A working group chaired by the Department of Research and the Department of Planning — and
Planning and involving the Department of Local is of research interest to peak business bodies and
Government will be established to prepare guidelines universities. A collaborative program between these
for the use of BID funds. agencies will be established to identify how Global
Sydney, Regional Cities, Major Centres and Specialised
Centres rate in terms of competitiveness.
The program will examine ways of strengthening
clusters, upgrading knowledge infrastructure and
addressing infrastructure requirements.

100

REGIONAL CITY, PENRITH CBD AND ADJACENT

NORTH PENRITH DEFENSE LANDS AERIAL VIEW OF BLACKTOWN CBD
PAT FENSHAM

PAT FENSHAM
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B3.3.2 Plan for the concentration of new or B3.3.4 Plan and manage growth to support the core
expanded investment in strategic centres. economic role of Specialised Centres.
The centres types (see Tables B1 and B2) are intended The Government recognises the significance of a
as a pointer to Government investment, particularly number of specialised centres that have metropolitan
in health, education and cultural activities, which will and economy wide impacts. The Metropolitan Strategy
support the envisaged roles of the strategic centres, has identified nine specialised centres and precincts
and the objectives of the Metropolitan Strategy. which are listed in Table B1. These centres, Global
Sydney and the Regional Cities encompass a range of
Collaboration between government agencies to
activities including high tech, business and office parks
maximise the benefits of government investment to
and major research areas, special use zones such as
centres is required. Having a better understanding
port and airports, and health and knowledge precincts
of the assets and capability of the centres from an
that have significant economic and social implications
economic perspective will be important.
for Metropolitan Sydney. Planning in and around
these centres needs to support and encourage their
B3.3.3 Assist Government agency decision making specialised function.
to align with priorities for strategic centres.
This means ensuring that development controls
Government agencies need to consider how their (where appropriate) State Government business
infrastructure investments and service activities — attraction and development initiatives, and the
current or proposed — are contributing to priorities Government’s own investment activities are directed
for the strategic centres. Each of the strategic centres to reinforcing the specialities in these centres. It
has a working vision (which will be outlined in the also means that transport planning should focus on
Centres Reinvigoration Report refer B3.1.3) and this increasing connectivity to these centres, particularly
will ensure agency operational planning can support it, rail transport.
as appropriate.
A dialogue with the Commonwealth Government
and partnerships with the owners of Sydney and
Bankstown Airports will ensure development in and
around these specialised centres does not have
unforseen impacts on other centres and on transport
networks. Development at the airports is currently not
subject to State or local planning controls.

101

SPECIALISED CENTRES HAVE

METROPOLITAN AND
ECONOMY WIDE IMPACTS
 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B3.3.5 The Government Asset Management B3.4 ENSURE SUFFICIENT COMMERCIAL OFFICE
Committee to prioritise relocations of Government SITES IN STRATEGIC CENTRES
offices to Regional Cities and maintain their
existing presence in other centres. Current estimates suggest that up to 6.8 million
square metres of additional commercial floorspace
The Government has an important economic lever
(about eight times the amount in North Sydney or
with its own office relocation strategies through the
ten times that in Parramatta) will be required to 2031
Government Asset Management Committee and the
in Sydney.
Property Disposal Assessment Panel. In recent years,
the NSW Government has supported the relocation Constraints on the supply of commercial land are
of WorkCover to Gosford, and NSW Police and likely to be most acutely felt in the centres through
Sydney Water to Parramatta. Government leadership the global economic corridor, in particular the City,
in relocating activities to Parramatta has been North Sydney and Chatswood. In these centres the
instrumental in its development as a second CBD for emphasis will be on lifting development potential,
Sydney. The Department of Local Government and the redevelopment, refurbishment and high quality design.
Department of Primary Industries have been relocated
In specialised centres there is generally sufficient
outside of Sydney to Nowra and Orange respectively.
land zoned for anticipated commercial development
The Metropolitan Strategy aims to develop Sydney but the challenge is to orient these centres to
as a multi centred city and gives particular attention more sustainable transport including reduced car
to encouraging Government office activities in the dependence, while protecting and extending their
Regional Cities of Parramatta, Liverpool and Penrith, unique advantages.
as well as new opportunities for the Central Coast
Councils will need to show that their local planning
centre of Gosford. The type of Government office
controls have provided for future commercial
activities located in these centres should be chosen to
development in smaller centres. This will flow from
complement the strengths of each centre.
subregional planning which will determine the different
and relative roles for centres, and assess future
commercial floorspace needs across a broad area.
The Department of Planning will share information on
floorspace needs to assist councils in this planning.
The major suburban centres generally have sufficient
commercial development potential but development
controls on density and zoning may need to be
reconsidered, to provide for and protect a commercial
core near the rail station in each location. These
commercial core locations might then be surrounded
by mixed use areas where commercial and retail
uses can flourish on lower floors below residential.
Business development areas in adjacent locations
should be encouraged.
102
CRAIG ALLCHIN
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B3.4.1 Protect existing core commercial areas in B3.4.3 Identify, protect and promote sites for large
strategic centres. scale development in strategic centres.
Core commercial areas around rail stations will be In many centres development of key sites can act
protected from conversion to other uses in all Regional as a catalyst for additional development. Developers
Cities and existing and potential Major Centres until may be risk averse when it comes to being the first
future office floorspace needs in these locations to undertake a significant development in a relatively
have been assessed and planned for as part of the untested market. As part of the Stronger Centres
subregional planning to be undertaken with councils. Initiative, sites which might have development
If necessary, Ministerial Directions may be used to potential will be identified.
manage proposed rezonings.
The State Government can then encourage councils
and owners to facilitate development on particular
B3.4.2 Create redevelopment opportunities for sites by, for example, preparing appropriate site
business space in the global economic corridor. development controls, assisting with architecture
and design, preparing site development prospectus
In Sydney City and the global economic corridor, there
material, marketing to key property brokers or
are documented capacity constraints. The Government
development interests and ‘fast tracking’ approvals.
will ensure there are sufficient strategic sites available
and infrastructure capacity to support the growth of
these commercial office markets, particularly in North
Sydney, Sydney City, East Darling Harbour, City South,
Redfern and at rail stations in the City to Airport Corridor.
The Property Disposal Assessment Panel will also
prioritise the use of Government assets to increase
land supply for commercial development consistent
with other objectives.
The Government will review the Strata Schemes
Management Act 1996, (formerly the Strata Title
Act) to facilitate the redevelopment of strata titled
properties. A key issue to address is the proportion of
owners required to agree to the sale of a property.

103

ENSURE SUFFICIENT STRATEGIC SITES AND

INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY
TO SUPPORT GROWTH
 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B4 CONCENTRATE ACTIVITIES NEAR B4.1 CONCENTRATE RETAIL ACTIVITY IN CENTRES

PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ZONES AND
ENTERPRISE CORRIDORS
Concentrating activities in centres has substantial
environmental benefits by reducing travel times, More than any other Australian metropolitan city,
pollution, congestion and car dependence, protecting Sydney has successfully limited out of centre retail
the character of existing suburbs and supporting development and this has strengthened centres.
public transport. Public transport networks and other Clear guidance is required as to where retail and
Government investment in services are concentrated commercial office activities should be located with a
in existing centres. Hence, strengthening the centres critical determinant being good public transport and
makes better use of existing infrastructure and boosting activity and vitality in centres across the
services already in place. spectrum to encourage and sustain investment. The
2001 Integrated Land Use and Transport (ILUT) policy
People living within one kilometre of strategic
package specifically, the Right Place for Business and
centres are more than twice as likely to travel by
Services component supported centres and precincts
public transport than those living outside centres.
linked to transport, aimed to eliminate proliferation of
Furthermore, they own half the number of cars on
retail in industrial areas, and included locational criteria
average than those living outside centres. Even a
for emerging retail forms. The Metropolitan Strategy
marginal increase in the share of jobs in centres
incorporates the principles of this Right Place for
will significantly increase the share of trips by
Business and Services policy. They will be reflected in
public transport. The benefit of even modestly more
the new Standard Local Environmental Plan template
concentrated employment in Sydney has been
and will form the basis of relevant provisions in
modelled at almost $5 billion of travel related savings
directions to be provided for local government planning.
over 16 years.
The ILUT package remains Government policy,
however Draft SEPP 66 will cease to operate as a draft
statutory instrument upon the issuing of new Section
117 Ministerial Directions to councils. These will
provide advice and guidance on the zoning for all types
of retail and commercial activity.
The list of Major Centres in the ILUT package is
superceded by the strategic centres (listed in Table
B1). The net community benefit test (in the Right Place
for Business and Services) will apply where LEPs
have not yet been modified as a result of subregional
planning or other spatial planning which identifies
zones for future trip generating activities (retail and
commercial) using the section 117 directions.

104

TABLE B5 MODE SHARE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT* FOR THOSE LIVING AND WORKING IN SYDNEY’S STRATEGIC CENTRES

PEOPLE LIVING IN PEOPLE WORKING IN

GLOBAL SYDNEY 37.0% 57.9%

REGIONAL CITY 21.7% 15.4%

SPECIALISED CENTRE 27.8% 20.4%

MAJOR CENTRE 24.3% 14.0%

NON–CENTRE 17.4% 7.3%

TOTAL (FOR ALL OF SYDNEY) 19.0% 19.0%

* PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS TRAIN, LIGHT RAIL, BUS, FERRY (SOURCE: TRAVEL AND POPULATION DATA CENTRE, 2001)
 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B4.1.1 Locate retail and office activity in identified B4.1.2 Allow retailing in industrial areas only where
or designated retail zones. it is ancillary to industrial uses.
The new Standard LEP template will limit retail and Retailing has encroached into some industrial areas.
office activity to core commercial and mixed use This has displaced legitimate light industry and related
zones, business development zones and in some uses and created excess trip generation to out of
circumstances enterprise corridors. centre locations.
Councils will be required to undertake forward Retailing in industrial areas will be limited to that
structure planning to identify land in these zones to which is ancillary to the industrial use or has operating
accommodate all commercial activity and retailing, requirements or demonstrable offsite impacts akin
including large floor area retailing. to industrial uses (such as building and hardware,
plumbing and nurseries).
This will provide certainty for investors in office and
retail in centres and ensure that ad hoc out of centre
development does not have extra cost impacts for B4.1.3 Create business development zones to
Government and the community. encourage development in strategic centres.
In some strategic centres, it may be desirable to
establish more flexible development controls for job
generating uses in areas adjacent to or supporting
centres. Business development zones will encourage
such uses, but would only be allowed where adjacent
to and/or linked to the strategic centres. Clusters of
large floor area retailing could be planned for in these
business development zones.

105
FIGURE B4 ORIGIN OF WORK TRIPS TO GLOBAL SYDNEY 2001 FIGURE B5 ORIGIN OF WORK TRIPS TO REGIONAL CITIES 2001

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SOURCE: TPDC SOURCE: TPDC

 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B4.2 SUPPORT CENTRES WITH TRANSPORT, B4.2.1 Carry out transport planning and align
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES investment in rail and bus corridors to support the
concentration of employment in centres.
Identifying where people travel from to access
The transport sustainability of centres is at the heart
different centres is critical in designing appropriate
of the Metropolitan Strategy and has underpinned the
transport systems. It also reveals the effective role of
focus on concentrating development in centres.
the centres. Figures B4 to B7 shows the journey to
work catchments for the different types of strategic This has been and will continue to be backed
centres using data from 2001. by a commitment of resources to rail and other
• Global Sydney is the dominant metropolitan centre public transport investments that support these
and is the focus for an extensive and concentrated concentrations. The Rail Clearways project and the
catchment. An extensive heavy rail network provides bus reforms are examples of significant investments
access to this centre. to strengthen centres and corridors. The recent
• The Regional Cities have extensive catchments, announcement regarding the new rail lines connecting
with some evidence they are skewed to existing rail the North West and South West, and across the
corridors. Rail and strategic bus corridors service harbour through the global economic corridor, are all
these centres. about strengthening the role of centres as locations
• The Specialised Centres (outside Global Sydney, and for economic activity and connecting the labour
not including Norwest, Sydney Olympic Park and force with jobs. Workers are more likely to use public
Rhodes for which there was insufficient data in 2001) transport if their home or job is located within easy
also have very extensive but diffuse catchments. This reach of public transport.
shows their important metropolitan role. In some
centres, this pattern of travel is more difficult to
B4.2.2 Examine future links to strengthen Regional
serve by rail transport and strategic bus corridors will
Cities and specialised centres.
play an important servicing role.
• The Major Centres are the focus for more localised International experience shows that stronger Regional
travel. They are served by strategic bus corridors Cities and specialised centres, which contribute to
complemented by local ‘feeder’ bus services. more self contained subregions, ultimately need
upgraded public transport links that provide more
efficient connections than cars. Key links for future
consideration in Sydney include Parramatta through
Olympic Park, Rhodes to Macquarie Park, the City to
Liverpool and Parramatta and Penrith to the City.

106
FIGURE B6 ORIGIN OF WORK TRIPS TO SPECIALISED CENTRES 2001 FIGURE B7 ORIGIN OF WORK TRIPS TO MAJOR CENTRES 2001

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actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B5 PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN The global economic corridor is a key driver of

THE PRIMARY ROLE OF ECONOMIC Sydney’s wealth generation and will continue to be
CORRIDORS into the future. Jobs are concentrated in this area so it
is important to consider how to make these jobs more
The Economic Corridors are distinguished by a
accessible to the people of the metropolitan area.
collection of activities that play a critical role in the
metropolitan economy. For example, the global In this context the public transport and motorway
economic corridor (also known as the Global Arc) connections for metropolitan wide travel are
extending from Macquarie Park to North Sydney and fundamental and the Government has three significant
continuing through the City to the Airport contains projects planned or underway to enhance these; the:
700,000 jobs (around 32 per cent of Sydney’s total jobs). • NW–CBD–SW Rail Corridor;
• Rail Clearways; and
The Parramatta to City corridor has seen many of
• Lane Cove Tunnel.
its larger and heavy industrial uses depart. It still
contains however, the Camellia refining complex, The Transport Strategy provides more detail on these
Clyde marshalling yards and other important industrial major investments.
sites. It was a focus for heavy investment in the lead
The F3 (Sydney to Newcastle freeway) to M2
up to the Olympic Games which created a world
(Hills Motorway) connection is the next major link
class sporting precinct. In 2001 the Parramatta to City
which will enhance connections between the northern
corridor contained 120,000 jobs.
parts of the city and the job concentrations around
The M5 and M7 corridors are the focus for Sydney’s the central city. This project is dependent on Federal
manufacturing, transport and logistics activities. In Government funding.
2001 these areas contained a further 25,000 and
75,000 jobs respectively.
In each of these areas there has been pressure
for employment lands to convert to other uses,
particularly residential, undermining their core
economic roles. Because the economic activity is
based around accessibility to the motorway network,
to business services and distribution networks, it is
vital that these economic corridors are the continuing
focus for employment related development,
maximising returns from public investment. Future
strategic planning needs to protect and strengthen the
primary role of these economic corridors.

FIGURE B8
TYPES OF CORRIDORS
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ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
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Macquarie Park
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4 M7
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 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B5.1 ESTABLISH A STRONGER CORRIDORS The need for strategic land use planning is evidenced
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE by the following:
• the turnover of land for residential uses is
The global economic corridor covers a number of ‘squeezing’ out vital economic activities within the
local government areas, includes high value rail, road, City to Airport corridor;
health and other public investments, high amenity • sites for commercial development in Chatswood,
areas and high land values. In this economic climate it with its excellent rail infrastructure, are also now
is not surprising that there are a range of competing limited due to residential development;
interests. The importance of the corridor to the • congestion is looming in and around Port Botany
economy demands that a sound structure planning as industrial activity and residential development
framework is in place for future development. intensifies; and
• a key issue is the development on Sydney Airport
The economic strength of the corridor is built on
land, which is controlled by the Commonwealth.
strong planning decisions made in the past, for
New retail and commercial developments on airport
example, designating and protecting Macquarie Park
land, unrelated to the core airport function are
as a key employment area next to the university,
creating inappropriate pressure on State and local
identifying North Sydney as a commercial growth
infrastructure and there are no institutional planning
centre in post war planning documents, dedicating
or regulatory mechanisms to manage these impacts.
sites for iconic developments such as the Opera
House and Darling Harbour in the city, and for
The Strategy designates Sydney Airport as a
Fox Studios at Moore Park, and providing for
Specialised Centre. This means its important role in
airport and port related uses adjacent to these
the metropolitan economy should be promoted. It also
infrastructure assets.
means that the broader precinct should be carefully
planned. Commercial development is appropriate
around the rail station at Mascot. Elsewhere
development should be focused on business activities
that support or relate to the core airport function.

108
FIGURE B9 THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

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actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B5.1.1 Establish a Stronger Corridors Initiative B5.2 STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMIC ROLE OF THE
covering the North Sydney to Macquarie Park and ORBITAL MOTORWAY NETWORK
City to Airport corridors.
The Orbital Motorway Network includes the:
There is a need to establish a planning and
• M2, Lane Cove Tunnel, Gore Hill Freeway and
development framework that provides for growth and
Warringah Expressway which connects the Hills
development in the North Sydney to Macquarie Park
District to the Harbour Bridge and the City;
and City to Airport corridors, and manages potential
• Eastern Distributor, which connects the City, Port
conflict. In 2005, preliminary planning work began to
Botany and airport;
examine growth opportunities and actions to protect
• M5, which connects Port Botany and the airport to
economic assets in the City to Airport corridor with
Liverpool, then to Campbelltown and on to
five local councils — City of Sydney, Botany, Randwick,
Canberra; and
Marrickville and Rockdale. Work is also soon to
• M7, which will complete the link between the M2 to
commence on the North Sydney to Macquarie Park
M4 to M5 from Blacktown to Liverpool.
corridor. The Stronger Corridors Initiative will resource
this work. The Orbital Motorway Network provides for more
efficient production and distribution in Sydney’s
The Stronger Corridors Initiative will involve:
economy.
• preparation of land use and structure plans
examining at the future distribution of residential and There are a number of industrial areas focussed on
employment activities in the corridor; the Orbital Motorway Network, but there are very
• an access and parking plan, analysing internal few additional sites available in the corridors around
movement and access, maximising existing and it. Given the importance of the Orbital Motorway
proposed infrastructure investments (NW–CBD–SW Network to the efficient movement of goods between
Rail Link, Rail Clearways and Lane Cove Tunnel) businesses and between distribution centres, it is vital
plus managing parking demand across the corridor that planning preserves opportunities for industrial
(consistent with principles that emerge from the development and access to the Orbital
Metropolitan Parking Policy see D3.2); Motorway Network.
• an economic development plan, examining ways
to maximise networks and clusters of economic
activity, including strengthening precincts,
developing key sites for magnet infrastructure and
improving centre management; and
• an infrastructure plan supporting and underpinning
the above land use, access and economic
development directions.

109

SYDNEY CITY SYDNEY AIRPORT AND PORT BOTANY

DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CRAIG ALLCHIN
 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B5.2.1 Implement the findings of the M7 landuse B5.2.2 Prepare a land use and development plan
study to better manage existing employment lands for the M5 corridor, covering employment land
and identify additional future supply. renewal and improving transport access.
The Department of Planning recently commissioned In addition to implementing the recommendations of
a study of future land use and management options the Westlink M7 study the Government will undertake
in the M7 corridor. A significant result of the M7 similar work on the M5. This will consider how to
Westlink Land Use Strategy indicates that, given the accommodate future demand for industrial uses,
current market trends and no proposed increase in ensuring local access is preserved and how future
employment land supply, the current land zoned for renewal of older industrial areas will be encouraged.
industrial use in the M7 corridor would be exhausted The role of the Bankstown Airport/Milperra specialised
by 2011. Furthermore, the capacity of the M7 corridor centre and surplus Department of Defence lands at
to meet future demand for employment land is Moorebank will be a particular focus. Actions in the
relatively constrained. Nevertheless, an additional Economy and Employment Strategy also deal with
2,220 hectares of land is available for further these corridors.
investigation which, together with more effective
These studies are part of ensuring there is sufficient
use of the existing land in the corridor, could provide
land and opportunities to take advantage of the major
enough supply to 2021.
investment in the Orbital Motorway Network, for the
The Department of Planning will act on the key benefit of the Sydney and national economy. Actions in
recommendations in the strategy, and expand the both the M7 and M5 corridors are also included in the
land available for employment in the vicinity of the Economy and Employment Strategy.
M4 and M7 junction, creating the Western Sydney
Employment Hub.

110

ORBITAL MOTORWAY NETWORK

WESTLINK
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B6 FOCUS DEVELOPMENT IN
RENEWAL CORRIDORS TO MAXIMISE
INFRASTRUCTURE USE WHERE
DEMAND AND OPPORTUNITIES EXIST
The Parramatta to City corridor was the first
renewal corridor identified in the early stages of the
development of the Metropolitan Strategy,
and brought together local councils and State
Government agencies to prepare and implement a
plan for corridor renewal.
Through the Metropolitan Strategy, the NSW
Government will work with councils to identify future
corridors for renewal. These will be determined by the
principles outlined at the beginning of this section,
including existing or proposed capacity, availability
of brownfield sites, changing market conditions etc.
Partnerships between relevant local councils and State
Government agencies will be established to prepare
a plan for the renewal of these corridors. Subregional
planning, undertaken by groups of councils and
supported by information from the Department of
Planning, will identify potential new corridors.

111
FIGURE B10 PARRAMATTA TO CITY CORRIDOR

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 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B6.1 IMPLEMENT THE PARRAMATTA TO CITY B6.1.1 Complete the work of the Parramatta Road
CORRIDOR PLAN Taskforce.
In May 2004 the NSW Government established a
In May 2004 the NSW Government established a
Taskforce of councils and the Department of Planning,
Taskforce and allocated $2 million to identify
to identify opportunities for renewal within the
opportunities for renewal within the Parramatta to City
Parramatta to City corridor. The Taskforce met on
corridor. Through the development of structure plans it
a monthly basis to discuss land use, transport and
has considered the capacity to accommodate homes
funding and governance issues for the corridor.
and jobs both along the Parramatta Road enterprise
corridor and in the wider renewal corridor. This corridor The work of the taskforce will be continued and
planning work will also identify the infrastructure consolidated for review by Government. Draft
investments (public transport, open space, utilities and structure plans will be completed in early 2006.
community facilities) to support growth.
The Taskforce identified potential to accommodate B6.1.2 Publicly exhibit the structure plans for each
around 63,000 new homes and over 50,000 new jobs of the four sectors.
in the corridor by 2030.
The Taskforce will prepare an overview document and
review and exhibit the four sector structure plans in
early 2006.

B6.1.3 Streamline planning in the Parramatta to

City Corridor, to allow rezonings to occur in key
sites where development is likely to occur in the
short to medium term.
In partnership with the State Government, local
councils will prepare detailed precinct plans for key
sites along the corridor.

112

EXHIBIT AND IMPLEMENT THE

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
PARRAMATTA ROAD TASKFORCE
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B6.1.4 Resolve transport planning issues for B6.1.7 Plan for improved regional bus connections
Burwood town centre. to Sydney Olympic Park.
A Project Control Group has been established Review how the proposed strategic bus corridors
between Burwood Council, Roads and Traffic could better connect the emerging Sydney Olympic
Authority, Ministry of Transport, RailCorp and the Park site to Parramatta and Burwood centres.
Department of Planning to develop a comprehensive
B6.1.8 Develop urban renewal demonstration
approach to transport planning in Burwood town
projects.
centre. This provides a model which could be used by
other councils with similar development issues. The Taskforce will identify a series of urban renewal
demonstration projects. These may include detailed
precinct planning for a particular site or preparation of
B6.1.5 Facilitate the implementation of the Sydney
a strategy for renewal of brownfield sites.
Olympic Park Vision 2025.
Complete the revised Sydney Olympic Park
B6.1.9 Plan for an open space and cycle network.
Masterplan, Vision 2025, in conjunction with key
land holders at Carter Street to ensure it achieves a The corridor includes a natural network of waterways
balance between its core role as a regional sporting and parklands. The Taskforce has identified a series of
and specialised business centre, and its potential for open space and cycleway and pedestrian networks,
residential development. This will be a key component including new crossings over Parramatta Road and
of the Parramatta to City corridor plan. Parramatta River, which would enhance the existing
open space network across the corridor.
B6.1.6 Explore opportunities for Landcom’s
involvement in the implementation of the
Parramatta to City Corridor plan.
Landcom, as the NSW Government’s urban renewal
agent, may take a lead role in delivery of key
redevelopment sites and/or critical infrastructure,
including development of Government owned sites.

113

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK AUTHORITY VISION 2025

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK AUTHORITY
 actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B6.2 IDENTIFY FUTURE RENEWAL CORRIDORS B7 RECOGNISE THE ROLE OF

ENTERPRISE CORRIDORS AS
LOCATIONS FOR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
B6.2.1 Identify future renewal corridors through
Busy roads typically do not make high amenity
subregional planning.
residential locations. Nevertheless, because some of
Each of the 10 subregions of Sydney will undertake these locations are ‘run–down’, opportunities to convert
a planning exercise to determine the capacity for poorly performing business uses to residential are often
additional dwellings and jobs, and the implications pursued. It is important that the local employment role
of these increased numbers. Within this process, of these corridors be recognised especially when there
particular areas along transport routes, where there is are competing demands for residential development.
a potential for significant renewal, will be investigated Enterprise corridors are important as they often provide
and, if appropriate, nominated as renewal corridors. lower rent locations which are ideal for large shops,
niche retailing, low impact light industrial uses and
small business start ups.

B7.1 CREATE A ZONE RECOGNISING THE ROLE OF

ENTERPRISE CORRIDORS

B7.1.1 Establish an enterprise corridor zone in the

Local Environmental Plan (LEP) template.
This zone and the associated controls will provide
for uses such as nurseries, plumbing and building
supplies, retailing, light industrial and ancillary offices.
Retailing in these zones should be restricted to less
than 1000 square metres of floor area.

114

HOME FURNISHING SALES ON PARRAMATTA ROAD CANTERBURY ROAD

HEATHER CAMPBELL

CRAIG ALLCHIN
actions
CENTRES AND CORRIDORS

B7.2 PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON DEVELOPMENT IN B7.2.3 Prepare urban design guidelines for mixed–
ENTERPRISE CORRIDORS use development along enterprise corridors.
The Department of Planning will work with councils,
B7.2.1 Plan for ‘no net loss’ of employment capacity
the Department of Health and the Department of
in the development of enterprise corridors.
Environment and Conservation, to prepare a set of
Local councils will typically have responsibility for the urban design principles for accommodating mixed use
planning of these enterprise corridors. development along enterprise corridors.
While it is recognised some sites may be so run For example, these guidelines might provide for
down that redevelopment for an alternative mix of residential development on upper levels set-back
uses is desirable, the planning in the corridors needs from the enterprise corridor (retaining ground floor
to be comprehensive with the aim of preserving commercial or retail uses).
employment in the corridor.
Access and parking will be a key feature for
commercial success and will be included in
B7.2.2 Support local planning to ensure strategic these guidelines.
sites provide locations for viable business
opportunities.
Councils will work with owners to reposition or
assemble sites that will enhance their viability for
mixed use development — with commercial and retail
development on the ground floor.

115

SETBACK RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT NORTON STREET

HEATHER CAMPBELL

HEATHER CAMPBELL