Urban Consolidation and the Inadequacy of Local Open Space Provision in Sydney

This article analyses the recent provision of local open space in urban consolidation developments in Sydney. In particular, it looks at the extent to which local open space areas required to meet new residents' needs under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act are not being provided in such developments, and the reasons for this. Under-provision is shown to be greatest in existing higher density areas where the state government has targeted significantly increased urban consolidation. Reasons for under-provision include reluctance to pass on the cost to developers of funding the required open space given existing housing market prices, local council plans allowing developers' contributions to be diverted to embellishing existing open space, and the lack of local government revenue to maintain new open space. The result is intensified pressure on existing open space.