The Pulse Survey 2021

• Providing more jobs close to home would be welcomed across the metropolis: 87% of those spending more than 30 minutes commuting would prefer to work closer to home.

Improving connections to the three cities and strategic centres is the top priority.  

• Seven in ten residents (71%) think the top priority for the future of Greater Sydney’s infrastructure is improving transport connections to the three cities and strategic centres (working towards a ’30-minute city’).  
• Many also view new infrastructure keeping up with growth (61%) as one of the most important aspects of planning Greater Sydney’s future infrastructure.  
• This is viewed by most as being more important than the better use of existing infrastructure (27%) and designing infrastructure that keeps up with new technology (27%).  
• Collaboration between government, business and communities for planning is also considered important (34%).

Well-connected, useable spaces, healthcare services, and well-located, affordable housing are the top priorities for boosting liveability across the five districts of Greater Sydney. 

• Almost half of residents (47%) think well-connected facilities such as schools, medical services and social spaces including cafes, restaurants and sporting facilities is the most important aspect of planning for future liveability.   
• This desire for access and connection is also demonstrated by residents valuing housing within walking distance of local centres (37%) and the creation of public spaces that bring people together (34%).
• One in three residents think the provision of affordable housing to support working households (33%) is a priority, while a similar priority is put on having a greater diversity of housing types (31%). 

Very strong community support exists for public transport improvements and a 30-minute city.

• More than half of residents think improving public transport services to strategic centres (57%) and planning for a 30-minute city (52%) are the top priorities for the city’s productivity.
• Health and education facilities located near each other were perceived as important to one third of residents (30%).
• Almost one in three (29%) residents also think improving transport connections to the Lower Hunter, Central Coast and Wollongong is important for future productivity, as is building on Greater Sydney’s health and education strengths (27%).

Most residents are worried about the impact of climate change on Greater Sydney (80%), and many say they have changed how they live, or are considering changes, to reduce their contribution to climate change. There is strong support for renewable energy – including rooftop solar – and strong endorsement for more walking and cycling (72%). Residents across the five districts also want more tree cover and leafiness for their local area (62%).

Energy and water efficiency, waste reduction and more recycling and waste management facilities are the key priorities for planning a more sustainable city.  

• Increasing and water efficiency is seen as the most important priority for almost a third (32%) of residents.
• Reducing the volume of waste created and diverting waste from landfill is also seen as a key priority (30%).  
• A quarter of residents also see more waste facilities (25%), emission reduction initiatives (24%) and responding to climate change impacts (24%) as key priorities. 

These valuable insights, as well as feedback from our recent Six Cities Discussion Paper, will help shape future region planning.