This paper explores the history, archaeology and environment of Old Castlereagh and the Penrith Lakes Scheme on the banks of the Nepean River in Sydney's west.

The importance of periurban agriculture for a healthy city and the advantages of retaining agriculture are being increasingly recognised in rhetoric, but not in planning strategies, although the urbanisation of agriculturally productive land is of concern around many cities.

This paper explores the major issues arising in Sydney’s rural-urban fringe, particularly from the perspective of Sydney’s fringe from the outside looking in rather from the inside looking out.

Since the mid 1980s the character of residential development on Sydney’s urban fringe has become increasingly socially and economically differentiated from older more established outer ring suburbs.