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From the housing crisis to climate change and the rising cost of living, Sydney faces its fair share of challenges. The Committee for Sydney is on a mission to change that – and to make Sydney the best city in the world, for all.
They recently put out a call-out to Sydneysiders, asking for big ideas to improve liveability across the city. Following the submissions, 16 bold ideas were shortlisted across four key areas: neighbourhoods, entertainment, environment and infrastructure.
Now, the first four ideas – focused on making Sydney’s neighbourhoods better – have been announced. The goal? To make them livelier, greener and more community-focused. They are: free rent for GP clinics, apartments without carparks, living laneways and playful cities.
The health system is under pressure for a range of reasons, including an ageing population, rising rents and healthcare rebates not keeping up with the cost of running general practices, leading to higher out-of-pocket fees. The free rent for GP clinics proposal features a planning incentive encouraging developers to include small GP clinics in new apartment or mixed-use developments, with the agreement that GPs would commit to bulk-billing or low-fee services.
The apartments without carparks idea rethinks how we design new homes and neighbourhoods. Removing carparks lowers development costs while helping meet Sydney’s need for more affordable housing. These buildings would prioritise housing, green spaces and shared amenities, with residents encouraged to walk, ride or use public transport.
The living laneways idea aims to revitalise Sydney’s thousands of underused laneways, transforming them into housing options as well as green, sustainable spaces that support residents’ health and wellbeing and the environment. It draws on examples from cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Chicago, which have introduced laneway housing and programs that improve stormwater drainage and reduce heat through permeable paving, recycled materials and planting.
Finally, the playful cities idea acknowledges that play is one of the most important yet undervalued tools for building a more connected, healthier and more resilient city. It proposes playgrounds and spaces for play in every neighbourhood – and for every age!
The four shortlisted ideas are:
- Free rent for GP clinics
- Apartments without carparks
- Living laneways
- Playful cities
Eamon Waterford, CEO of the Committee for Sydney, says: “What’s exciting is seeing some of Sydney’s most creative thinkers step up and challenge us to think differently. These bold ideas give us the opportunity to turn our biggest challenges into real opportunities for living healthy, connected and great lives here in Sydney.”
In the coming weeks, the Committee for Sydney will announce the remaining shortlisted ideas. Three of the 16 proposals will be pitched at the upcoming 2026 Sydney Summit at ICC Sydney on Friday, February 6. Now in its sixth year, the summit brings together leaders, thinkers, politicians and researchers to tackle the big questions facing the city. This year’s theme is The Bold City, and tickets start at $304.25.
Find out more and get your tickets here.
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