Insights

Rail boom could shape great precincts and solve Sydney's housing crisis

Posted May 05, 2022

Author(s):

Patrick Fensham, Alison Holloway, Andrew Spencer, Ben Taylor

Sectors:

Types:

Local government
State government
Business

SGS Economics and Planning Sydney rail station image

Sydney's rail infrastructure boom could shape great precincts and deliver nearly half the city's housing needs over the next 20 years shows the Committee for Sydney report "Rethinking Station Precincts" which uses analysis by SGS Economics and Planning.

SGS Principal & Partner and National Leader for Urban Policy & Governance Patrick Fensham said "Investment in transport infrastructure and rezoning areas for more housing is not sufficient to achieve the aspirations for liveable high amenity station precincts.

“Along with detailed place planning, the land value gains need to be put to work through appropriate infrastructure charging mechanisms, and combined with complementary additional investment, to deliver world-class public domain, open space, active local transport and other health and education community facilities.”

Within the next 20 years, just under half (45 per cent) of Sydney’s population could be built within walking distance of a train station, creating up to 327,000 dwellings in highly accessible locations with great amenities.

This would create a massive $9.3 billion economic windfall for the state, along with $16.3 billion in financial value through land appreciation and rezoning.

Gabriel Metcalf, CEO, Committee for Sydney (report co-author) said this was an opportunity to create amazing places that will stand the test of time, and become much loved Sydney neighbourhoods.

“If we’re smart about it, we can fit almost half of Sydney’s population growth over the next 20 years within walking distance of rail stations.

“The network of Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains is one of Sydney’s most important urban assets – growing to 338 stations when the current round of funded projects is complete.

“Making the most of the state’s extraordinary investment in rail will require significant reforms, involving governance, planning, land economics, urban design and placemaking", he said.

The report draws on land use, urban design and economic analysis by experts from SGS Economics and Planning, AECOM, Frecklington Advisory, Grimshaw, Hassell, Mecone.