“One thing we should do less is massive houses in small blocks that leave no room for trees,” he said.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the average block of flats fell by 64 square meters (-13%) between 2012 and 2021, while the average area fell by only 3 meters square (-1%).
Despite the removal of the ecological planning reforms he introduced as planning minister, Stokes said efforts should not be abandoned to increase tree canopy, facilitate walking and cycling, and sustainable construction practices. like lighter colored ceilings.
“We also need to ensure that all future development is resilient to climate change,” he said. “This means restoring biodiversity and avoiding floodplains and other environmental hazards.”
Hills Shire Mayor Peter Gangemi said council and government agencies were struggling to keep up with demand for services and facilities in new suburbs such as Box Hill and North Kellyville, about 40 miles from the CBD. of Sydney.
Gangemi said the state government’s decisions and policies had resulted in more housing, cars and people than expected and “an urban footprint that seems more intense due to lack of vegetation, such as a canopy of trees. established and open space facilities “.
More than 13,000 homes will be built in Box Hill, with another 7,250 homes planned in North Kellyville.
Gangemi said the suburbs were beginning to transform into established suburbs “and this may take up to 25 years to complete.”
Blacktown City Council has major concerns about planning and developing new suburbs, a spokeswoman said, “and is working closely with state and federal lawmakers who advocate for better transportation, social and education infrastructure in the areas of growth before people settle down. ”
He said the council was concerned about the impacts of urban sprawl: “Unfortunately, the council has little real power in these areas due to increased state government control over developer contributions and the responsibility of major public infrastructure.”
Pfautsch said there was a shortage of high-quality jobs in expansive urban areas, which meant residents had to relocate.
“I think there are good pockets, but I haven’t come across a suburb west of Sydney that has been built in the last 10 years where heat-sensitive design has been implemented,” he said.
Pfautsch said poor planning laws, including the removal of green planning reforms, pressure from developers and short-sighted local and state governments contributed to Sydney’s ongoing urban sprawl.
He said some suburbs could improve if they develop a canopy of trees, “but the underlying problems of small blocks with large houses will remain.”
“And the problems of not working nearby, car dependency, poor public transport will also remain.”
A survey last year found that residents of western Sydney rated their suburbs as worse places to live than people in other parts of the city.
The Sydney Committee in 2017 found that people living west of Sydney were twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease such as heart failure and stroke, as well as high rates of diabetes and obesity. who blamed the lack of walking and access to public transportation.
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Sydney Committee CEO Gabriel Metcalf said green space development can be good if it is grouped in compact, passable patterns and close to good public transport, such as Rouse Hill city center. .
“The development of poorly planned green areas does no one any favors,” he said. “The problem is that when you put people too far away from work, and instead of public transportation or essential services, they end up isolated and forced to drive everywhere, with all the high costs that that entails.”
Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest said the number of new homes built in Sydney since 2019 has fallen “well below” what it takes to keep up with demand due to a decrease in the development of abandoned areas.
“There is a case for housing and land packages, but there is also a case for increasing the height and density within existing urban areas, especially when they are served by public transport or there is infrastructure capacity available, “he said. .
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