Alliance vows to maintain watchdog role on Sydney planning strategy

The powerful alliance was formed two years ago to successfully lobby the NSW Government to commit to a metro strategy for Sydney, but only publicly ‘outed’ itself six weeks ago as it intensified its lobbying.  It consists of the Housing Industry Association, NSW Council of Social Services, Property Council of Australia, State Chamber of Commerce, Total Environment Centre and Unions NSW.

The alliance said the strategy was a genuine attempt to quantify the challenges facing Sydney and plan for its future.  The inclusion of clear jobs, housing and environmental targets was a particular strength.

However the alliance identified several shortcomings which need to be addressed.  Foremost among them was the lack of an infrastructure strategy to underpin Sydney’s growth and the lack of an independent watchdog to review the ongoing performance of the strategy.

The alliance said the attention must now turn to implementation of the strategy.

The alliance announced it will issue its own scorecard rating the key elements of the strategy later this week.

Media Contacts:

Wayne Gersbach, Director NSW, Housing Industry Association
Gary Moore, Director, NSW Council of Social Services
Ken Morrison, NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Margy Osmond, Chief Executive, State Chamber of Commerce (NSW)
Jeff Angel, Director, Total Environment Centre
John Robertson, Secretary, UnionsNSW