The month in review: Sydney
By Herron Todd White
November, 2009
Infrastructure has been the talk of the town in the last
month or so, with the Rees Government under attack for
various infrastructure disasters. The Rees Government is
currently spruiking a $62 billion infrastructure package,
which is said to create 160,000 jobs. However, there has
been intense scrutiny on failed projects dating back to
the 1920’s.
Transport has been the major focus of the media;
highlighting the dozen or so major projects that have been‘promised’ by governments throughout the years. These
include; the extension of the M4, South West Rail Link, F6
extension Northern Beaches Rail Link and Sydney’s second
airport. None of which have been implemented. There are
numerous infrastructure projects in the pipeline for the
Sydney metropolitan region. However, Sydneysiders have
lived through many promises from numerous political
parties without a whole lot being achieved.
Some transport projects have been implemented over
the years, some with positive effects on the congestion
of Sydney’s roads. There is a catch: to utilise these services
you must be prepared to pay! There are few modes of
transport in the Sydney Metropolitan that are efficient
and free.
To worsen Sydney’s problem, the NSW Government is
expecting a population growth of 1.1 million people by
2036. The Rees government expects that 640,000 new
homes will be needed. This also means that there will be
more cars on the road, more people to fill trains and a lot
more congestion if the Government does not improve its
policies on infrastructure.
What effect does proposed infrastructure projects on
property prices? Not a whole lot. Sydneysiders are wary of
any proposed projects and will be cautious in buying in a
certain area because of proposed benefits from a project.
With consideration to current infrastructure, Sydneysiders
have had to make a choice between convenience and
lifestyle.
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