The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACLEG), with input from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, has released this report outlining how local governments can more effectively utilise demographic and other population data into planning and decision-making processes.

This paper examines the potential for urban consolidation in Sydney, concentrated upon the heavy rail network. It also outlines the current interest in 'smart growth' as a strategy for managing the containment of urban sprawl and promoting urban consolidation within that process.