Population growth and development: an outcome of Sydney's metropolitan governance

Abstract

ABSTRACT The central argument of the article is that Sydney's rapid population growth drives key decisions at national and state government levels, particularly decisions that support the development industry. At the national level, population growth is largely set by the Australian government through immigration levels, with Treasury support because it generates taxation revenue. The infrastructure costs of population growth are largely borne by the state government without adequate national government funding, but the state government supports population growth because it creates jobs and is regarded as a key marker of successful government. Under prevailing neoliberal ideology, private sector financing of necessary infrastructure is emphasised. This results in an increasing reliance on developer contributions, and on private sector funding where user-pays revenue is available, such as with motorways. In turn, Sydney's forecast population increase means the state government attempts to facilitate dwelling construction as much as possible. This is done through restricting otherwise desirable developer obligations outside state infrastructure contributions, reducing development controls, and restricting community opposition to new development.