Regional plan for Sydney 2011

• Regional Development Australia Sydney

Read the full text

Report cover: Regional plan for Sydney

28 October 2011RDA Sydney's Regional Plan is an informative tool providing important perspectives on the economic, environmental and social status of Sydney's Regions. The Regional Plan is unique in that it captures an overview of a wide range of issues within the ‘whole of Sydney’ (utilizing information from stakeholder consultations and 66 other existing plans and reports published by the Australian, NSW and Local Governments and other key agencies). It can most importantly be used when discussing, collaborating and planning for change.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a partnership between the Australian, State and Local Governments created to strengthen regional communities. RDA-Sydney is part of a national network of 55 RDA committees. These committees are made up of local leaders who volunteer their time to work with government, business and community groups to grow and strengthen their communities.

RDA-Sydney’s purpose is to build partnerships between governments, key regional organisations, local businesses, community groups and key regional stakeholders to provide strategic and targeted responses to economic, environmental and social issues affecting Sydney.

Sydney is gifted with a stunning natural environment characterised by beautiful waterways, national parks and pristine native habitats. It also has the best of business assets – a well-educated, multilingual workforce that underpins its reputation for innovation and enterprise, balanced by one of the highest standards of living in the Asia-Pacific Region.

In 2008-09, the Sydney Region had an estimated Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $257.9 billion, representing 64.1 per cent of the estimated Gross State Product (GSP) for New South Wales and contributing approximately 20.6 per cent of Australia’s economy. Sydney is the gateway to the global economy. It is the financial centre of the Australian economy and is home to the regional headquarters of numerous multinational corporations. The Region is also home to Port Botany, one of Australia’s largest container ports, and Sydney Airport, the nation’s largest airport.