The City of Sydney is Australia’s premier city is an epi-centre of innovation, economic growth and jobs. The City’s economy totals approximately $125 billion, or almost a quarter of the entire NSW economy.
Independent analysts suggest the City economy alone is contributing more than 10 per cent of Australia’s current economic growth. It has overtaken the mining sector as the driver of Australia’s economy along with the inner centres of other major Australian cities. Since 2006, job numbers in the City have grown by 100,000 to 495,000, an increase of almost 30 per cent.
Sydney is headquarters to almost 40 per cent of the top 500 Australian corporations, ninety per cent of international financial institutions operating in Australia, and the nation’s tech start-up capital – housing 64% of Australia’s start-ups and almost 15% of the IT workforce.
Sustainable city
The City has over 230,000 residents and looks after 1.2 million people each day. Its long term strategic plan Sustainable Sydney 2030 recognises that exceptional liveability is the driver for prosperity and economic growth and in place since 2004.
The City’s strong financial position has enabled an investment of $1.3 billion in high quality infrastructure and community facilities with over 250 projects completed including new and upgraded parks, playgrounds, pools, libraries, theatres, childcare centres, community spaces and separated cycleways.
The City is renowned for promoting design excellence, is a strong supporter of Sydney’s creative community and recognised as a leader in the fight against climate change with commitments to reduce emissions by 70 percent by 2030 and targets for 50 per cent renewables by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
It has a strong track record – its operations became carbon neutral in 2007 and it was the first government in Australia certified as such in 2011.
Lord Mayor profile: Clover Moore
Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney.
Clover Moore is Lord Mayor of Sydney. She is the first popularly elected woman to lead the City of Sydney and the longest serving Mayor since city government incorporation in 1842.
Clover also served as an Independent member of the NSW Parliament from March 1988 to September 2012, and was concurrently Lord Mayor and Member for Sydney for 8 years until the State legislated against the one person holding both positions.
Throughout her public life, in both State and Local Governments, Clover has championed progressive policies, achieving reforms which increase government transparency, champion our environment and protect the vulnerable.
As Lord Mayor, Clover initiated Sustainable Sydney 2030, an internationally renowned long term plan to secure Sydney’s future as a leading green liveable and creative city. This plan includes ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse emissions. In 2007, the City became the first government in Australia to be carbon neutral, and in 2014 received the European Solar Prize for its Renewable Energy Master Plan.
Under her leadership, the City of Sydney has developed a global reputation for delivering award winning facilities; protecting and enhancing open space; promoting design excellence for private development; delivering new transport options, particularly safe cycling; promoting and expanding the City’s cultural and creative life and initiating progressive solutions to complex city social problems such as affordable housing and related homelessness.