Sydney

Sydney is the capital city of the state of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia. It is on Australia's east coast around Sydney Harbour, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Blue Mountains. Sydney is called the Emerald City and the Harbour City.

The area has been home to Aboriginal Australians for thousands of years. In 1788, it became Australia's first European settlement when the First Fleet arrived. Today, Sydney is a lively city with people from many countries.

Sydney is a major economic centre and one of the world's most liveable cities. It hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics. Tourists visit famous spots like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. The city also has many parks and natural areas to explore.

Toponymy

In 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip named a cove where the first British settlement was built Sydney Cove after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney. The Aboriginal people called this place Warrane. Sydney became a city in 1842.

The Gadigal clan lived along the shore of Port Jackson from South Head to Darling Harbour. They are the traditional owners of the land where the British settled. Greater Sydney includes the lands of many Aboriginal clans.

History

Main article: History of Sydney

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Sydney.

First inhabitants of the region

The first people to live in the area now called Sydney were Aboriginal Australians. They had moved from southeast Asia through northern Australia. Stones found in Western Sydney suggest people lived there many thousands of years ago. Evidence shows people were active in the area around 30,000 years ago. Before British settlers arrived, there were thousands of Aboriginal people in the greater Sydney region.

These people fished, hunted, and gathered plants and shellfish for food. Coastal groups ate more seafood, while groups farther inland ate more forest animals and plants. They made tools and weapons from stone, wood, plants, bone, and shell. They also had special ways to decorate their bodies, hairstyles, songs, and dances. Aboriginal groups believed in ancestral spirits and had many ceremonies. People from different groups would meet for ceremonies.

The British recorded the word 'Eora' meaning "people" or "from this place." The main groups were the coastal Eora, the Dharug (Darug) inland from Parramatta to the Blue Mountains, and the Dharawal people south of Botany Bay. Other languages spoken included Darginung and Gundungurra.

The first meeting between Aboriginal people and British explorers happened on April 29, 1770, when Lieutenant James Cook landed at Botany Bay (Kamay) and met the Gweagal clan.

Convict town (1788–1840)

The Founding of Australia, 26 January 1788, by Captain Arthur Phillip R.N., Sydney Cove. Painting by Algernon Talmage

Sydney Cove in 1788, by John Hunter

Britain had sent people to its American colonies for most of the 1700s. After losing these colonies in 1783, they decided to create a new settlement at Botany Bay. The First Fleet of 11 ships, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, arrived in Botany Bay in January 1788. It carried over a thousand people, including many convicts. The fleet moved to Port Jackson and set up a settlement at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788. The colony of New South Wales was officially started by Governor Phillip on February 7, 1788. Sydney Cove had fresh water and a safe harbor.

The settlement was meant to be a self-sufficient colony based on farming. But the soil was poor, and the first crops failed, causing hunger and strict food limits. Help came with the Second Fleet and the Third Fleet. Former convicts got small pieces of land, and farms grew around Parramatta, Windsor, and Camden on the Cumberland Plain. By 1804, the colony could feed itself.

A disease called smallpox in April 1789 affected many Aboriginal people in the area. In November 1790, Bennelong brought survivors from the Sydney clans into the settlement.

Phillip didn’t have plans for building a town, but in July 1788, he suggested a plan for Sydney Cove. It included a wide main street, a government house, courts, a hospital, and other public buildings.

After Phillip left in December 1792, military officers started buying land and bringing in goods from visiting ships. Former convicts began trading and opening small shops. Soldiers and former convicts built houses on government land, sometimes without permission, in what was now called Sydney town. Governor William Bligh (1806–08) tried to stop this, leading to conflict and the Rum Rebellion of 1808.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie (1810–1821) helped develop Sydney and New South Wales. He set up a bank, created money, and built a hospital. He hired a planner to design Sydney’s streets and built roads, docks, churches, and public buildings. Parramatta Road, linking Sydney and Parramatta, opened in 1811, and a road over the Blue Mountains was finished in 1815.

After Macquarie left, policies encouraged free British settlers to move to New South Wales. Immigration increased, and by the 1840s, Sydney had a split between poor and working-class people living west of the Tank Stream, and richer people living east of it. Convict transportation to New South Wales stopped in 1840.

Conflict on the Cumberland Plain

In 1804, Irish convicts led about 300 rebels in the Castle Hill Rebellion, trying to march to Sydney and escape to freedom. They were poorly armed, and soldiers stopped the rebels at Rouse Hill.

As the colony grew to the fertile lands around the Hawkesbury River, conflicts between settlers and the Darug people increased.

Conflicts happened again from 1814 to 1816 as the colony expanded into Dharawal lands in the Nepean region southwest of Sydney.

Colonial city (1841–1900)

The New South Wales Legislative Council became partly elected in 1842. Sydney was declared a city that same year, and a governing council was set up.

Finding gold in New South Wales and Victoria in 1851 caused problems as men left for the goldfields. But new people coming in and wealth from gold increased the need for homes, goods, services, and city places. The New South Wales government invested in trains, trams, roads, ports, telegraph, schools, and city services. Sydney and its suburbs grew.

Dry weather, ending big building projects, and money problems caused a bad economy in Sydney for most of the 1890s.

State capital (1901–present)

When the six colonies joined together on January 1, 1901, Sydney became the capital of New South Wales. A disease in 1900 made the government improve docks and tear down old city areas. When the First World War started in 1914, many Sydney men joined the army. Soldiers returning in 1918 were promised good homes in new areas. New neighborhoods and mixed housing grew along train and tram lines. Sydney’s population reached one million in 1926 after becoming Australia’s biggest city again.

Sydney felt the Great Depression of the 1930s more than other parts of New South Wales. Very little new building happened, and many families lost their homes.

In January 1938, Sydney celebrated the Empire Games and the 150th anniversary of European settlement in Australia.

When the Second World War began in 1939, Sydney grew in factories. Unemployment almost disappeared, and women took jobs usually for men. Sydney was attacked by Japanese submarines in May and June 1942.

After the war, many new people came to Sydney, mostly from Britain and Europe, causing fast growth and new houses in suburbs. Older centers became part of the city. Factories employed many workers, but later, shopping and service jobs grew more.

About one million people watched Queen Elizabeth II land in 1954 at Farm Cove. It was the first time a ruling monarch visited Australia.

More tall buildings in Sydney caused protests in the early 1970s. The Sydney Opera House was controversial for its cost, but after opening in 1973, it became a big tourist spot and symbol of the city. Tariffs were reduced, changing Sydney from a factory center to a “world city.” From the 1980s, immigration grew fast from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. By 2021, Sydney had over 5.2 million people, with many born outside Australia.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Sydney

Sydney is a city by the sea. It has the Tasman Sea to the east, the Blue Mountains to the west, the Hawkesbury River to the north, and the Woronora Plateau to the south.

The city has different landscapes. The area south and west of the harbour is mostly flat. The area to the north has steep valleys. The flatter parts were settled first. After the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built, the northern parts became more crowded. There are many surf beaches along the coast, and Bondi Beach is the most famous.

The Nepean River flows around the western side of the city and becomes the Hawkesbury River before reaching Broken Bay. Many of Sydney's water supplies are on rivers that flow into the Nepean River. The Parramatta River is mostly used for industry and flows into Port Jackson. The southern parts of the city are drained by the Georges River and the Cooks River into Botany Bay.

Sydney's weather is warm in summer and mild in winter. The city can get very hot, especially in the western areas. Cool breezes from the south often help to lower the temperature. Rain falls throughout the year, but it is usually heavier in the summer months.

Sydney has many types of plants and animals. You can find different kinds of birds, reptiles, and mammals, as well as many sea creatures in the harbour and beaches.

Regions

Main article: Regions of Sydney

The Greater Sydney Commission splits Sydney into three "cities" and five "districts" based on 33 local government areas. The three cities are Eastern Harbour City, Central River City and Western Parkland City. The Australian Bureau of Statistics also counts the City of Central Coast as part of Greater Sydney, adding 330,000 people.

Inner suburbs

The central business district (CBD) stretches about 3 km south from Sydney Cove. It is bordered by Farm Cove inside the Royal Botanic Garden to the east and Darling Harbour to the west. Suburbs around the CBD include Woolloomooloo and Potts Point to the east, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst to the south, Pyrmont and Ultimo to the west, and Millers Point and The Rocks to the north. Most of these suburbs are small, measuring less than 1 km² (0.4 sq mi). The Sydney CBD has narrow streets made in its early days.

Some special places in Sydney's inner areas include Central and Circular Quay, which are busy transport spots with ferries, trains, and buses. Chinatown, Darling Harbour, and Kings Cross are important for culture, tourism, and fun. The Strand Arcade, between Pitt Street Mall and George Street, is a historic shopping area. It opened on 1 April 1892 and its shops look like the original designs. Westfield Sydney, under the Sydney Tower, is the largest shopping centre in Sydney.

Since the late 20th century, Sydney's inner suburbs have become more modern and comfortable. Pyrmont, once a place for shipping and trade, now has tall buildings, tourist spots, and entertainment. Darlinghurst, once outside the city, now has historic buildings and modern homes.

Green Square was once full of factories in Waterloo but is now being rebuilt with $8 billion. The old suburb and docks of Millers Point near the harbour are growing into the new area of Barangaroo. The suburb of Paddington is famous for its old homes, Victoria Barracks, and weekly markets on Oxford Street.

Inner West

The Inner West includes the Inner West Council, Municipality of Burwood, Municipality of Strathfield, and City of Canada Bay. These areas stretch up to 11 km west of the CBD. Historically, the outer suburbs of the Inner West like Strathfield were home to big houses for important people. The inner suburbs, closer to jobs and transport, were traditionally homes for workers. These areas have become more modern and comfortable since the late 20th century and are now expensive places to live. As of 2021, an Inner West suburb (Strathfield) was one of the 20 most expensive places to live in Australia. The University of Sydney, the University of Technology, Sydney, and a campus of the Australian Catholic University are here. The Anzac Bridge links Rozelle to Pyrmont and the city and is part of the Western Distributor.

The Inner West is known for its village centres with foods from around the world, such as "Little Italy" in Leichhardt, Five Dock and Haberfield, "Little Portugal" in Petersham, "Little Korea" in Strathfield and "Little Shanghai" in Ashfield. Big shopping centres include Westfield Burwood, DFO Homebush and Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre. There is a big community from many countries and a lively area on King Street, Newtown.

The area has Sydney Trains lines T1 and T2, including the Main Suburban Line, the first train line built in New South Wales. The L1 light rail line also runs through the area. Strathfield railway station, built in 1876, is a major train station. The future Sydney Metro West will connect this area with the City and Parramatta. The area is served by Parramatta River services of Sydney Ferries, many bus routes and bike paths.

Eastern Suburbs

The Eastern Suburbs include the Municipality of Woollahra, the City of Randwick, the Waverley Municipal Council, and parts of the Bayside Council. These areas are some of the most expensive and well-off in the country. Major landmarks include Bondi Beach, added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2008, and Bondi Junction, which has a Westfield shopping centre and a train station on the T4 Eastern Suburbs Line. The suburb of Randwick has Randwick Racecourse, the Royal Hospital for Women, the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Children's Hospital, and University of New South Wales Kensington Campus.

Construction of the CBD and South East Light Rail finished in April 2020 to improve tram services for people living in the City and South-East.

Major shopping centres in the area include Westfield Bondi Junction and Westfield Eastgardens.

Southern Sydney

The Southern district of Sydney includes suburbs in the local government areas of the Georges River Council (known as St George) and the Sutherland Shire (known as 'The Shire'), on the southern banks of the Georges River.

The Kurnell peninsula, near Botany Bay, is where James Cook first landed on the eastern coastline in 1770. La Perouse, a historic suburb named after French navigator Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, is known for its old military building at Bare Island and the Botany Bay National Park.

The suburb of Cronulla in southern Sydney is close to Royal National Park, Australia's oldest national park. Hurstville is a large suburb with offices and tall buildings and has become a main place for the southern suburbs.

Northern Sydney

Further information: Northern Sydney

'Northern Sydney' includes suburbs in the Upper North Shore, Lower North Shore and the Northern Beaches.

The Northern Suburbs include several landmarks – Macquarie University, Gladesville Bridge, Ryde Bridge, Macquarie Centre and Curzon Hall in Marsfield. This area includes suburbs in the local government areas of Hornsby Shire, Ku-ring-gai Council, City of Ryde, the Municipality of Hunter's Hill and parts of the City of Parramatta.

The North Shore has the commercial centres of North Sydney and Chatswood. North Sydney has many tall buildings and is mainly for advertising, marketing and related jobs, with many big companies having offices there.

The Northern Beaches area includes Manly, one of Sydney's most popular holiday spots. The region also features Sydney Heads, a series of headlands forming the entrance to Sydney Harbour. The Northern Beaches area stretches south to the entrance of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), west to Middle Harbour and north to the entrance of Broken Bay.

Hills district

The Hills district refers to suburbs in north-western Sydney including local government areas of The Hills Shire, parts of the City of Parramatta Council and Hornsby Shire. The region is named for its hilly shape as the Cumberland Plain rises up, joining the Hornsby Plateau. Windsor and Old Windsor Roads are the second and third roads built in Australia.

On 26 May 2019, The Sydney Metro Northwest, which runs from Chatswood to Tallawong, opened, with a big part going through the Hills District, bringing trains to the area for the first time. Before this, The Hills had bus services.

Western suburbs

Further information: Greater Western Sydney

The greater western suburbs include areas of Parramatta, the sixth largest business area in Australia, Bankstown, Liverpool, Penrith, and Fairfield. The western suburbs have many people from different countries – Cabramatta is called "Little Saigon" because of its Vietnamese community, Fairfield is known as "Little Assyria" for its main Assyrian community and Harris Park is known as "Little India" with its many Indian and Hindu people. The people there mostly come from working-class backgrounds, with many jobs in factories and skilled trades. Toongabbie is noted for being the third mainland settlement after British colonisation began in 1788, although the actual settlement site is in the separate suburb of Old Toongabbie.

The western suburb of Prospect, in the City of Blacktown, is home to Raging Waters, a water park run by Parques Reunidos. Auburn Botanic Gardens in Auburn gets thousands of visitors each year. The greater west also includes Sydney Olympic Park, made for the 2000 Summer Olympics, and Sydney Motorsport Park, a race track in Eastern Creek. Prospect Hill, a historically important hill in the west and the only place in Sydney with ancient volcanic activity, is listed on the State Heritage Register.

To the northwest, Featherdale Wildlife Park, a zoo in Doonside, near Blacktown, is a major tourist attraction. Sydney Zoo, opened in 2019, is another big zoo in Bungaribee. Established in 1799, the Old Government House, a historic house museum and tourist spot in Parramatta, was added to the Australian National Heritage List on 1 August 2007 and World Heritage List in 2010, as part of the 11 penal sites making up the Australian Convict Sites. The house is Australia's oldest surviving public building.

Further to the southwest is the region of Macarthur and the city of Campbelltown, which became a big place to live until the 1990s and is considered a separate area from Sydney proper. Macarthur Square, a big shopping place in Campbelltown, has become one of the largest shopping places in Sydney. The southwest also has Bankstown Reservoir, the oldest raised water storage made of reinforced concrete that is still used and is on the State Heritage Register. The southwest is home to one of Sydney's oldest trees, the Bland Oak, planted in the 1840s by William Bland in Carramar.

Urban structure

The Sydney CBD has many tall buildings, including famous places like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Sydney has some of the tallest buildings in Australia.

Architecture

See also: Architecture of Sydney, List of heritage houses in Sydney, and List of tallest buildings in Sydney

Sydney's early buildings were simple, but later leaders set higher standards. Today, Sydney has buildings listed as world heritage sites and many others protected for their history.

In 1814, a man named Francis Greenway began designing important buildings like the Macquarie Lighthouse. He also designed the Hyde Park Barracks and St James's Church. Different styles became popular over time.

From the 1850s, buildings started using Classical styles. Famous examples include the Australian Museum, the General Post Office, and the Town Hall. As Sydney grew, buildings became taller. The Harbour Bridge, finished in 1932, is one of the city's most famous structures.

Modern architecture arrived in the 1940s, with the Opera House becoming a World Heritage Site. Today, Sydney has many tall modern buildings, with Sydney Tower being the tallest.

Housing

Sydney has some of the most expensive housing in the world. Most homes are separate houses, but there are also many apartments, especially in the inner city. Different types of houses from different times can be found.

Parks and open spaces

Main article: Parks in Sydney

Sydney has many beautiful parks and gardens. The Royal Botanic Garden is one of the most famous, with many plants and activities. Other large parks include Centennial Parklands, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, and Western Sydney Parklands.

Hyde Park is the oldest public park in Australia. The Domain and the Royal Botanic Garden are also important green spaces, used for relaxation and research.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Sydney

Sydney is one of the world's best-connected cities. It is a major financial hub in the Asia–Pacific area, with many international banks and companies.

Sydney's economy began in early colonial times and grew as more people settled there. Today, finance and insurance are big parts of its work and jobs.

Businesses

Sydney has many businesses, including some of Australia's biggest companies. The city attracts global companies because of its time zone, which fits well between North America and Europe. Many foreign companies have offices in Sydney.

Domestic economics

Sydney is one of the world's more expensive cities. Workers there earn good wages but also face high costs for housing and living. Many people in Sydney work full-time jobs, and the city has many jobs in healthcare, professional services, retail, and construction.

Financial services

Sydney has a long history with banking and finance. The first bank in Australia opened there, and today Sydney is a key financial centre. Many international banks have offices in the city.

Manufacturing

Main article: Manufacturing in Australia

Sydney has been a place for making things since the 1920s. Though fewer people work in manufacturing now, Sydney is still important in making products, especially in high-tech areas. The Smithfield-Wetherill Park Industrial Estate in Western Sydney is a major spot for manufacturing.

Tourism and international education

Main article: Tourism in Sydney

Sydney is a popular place for visitors from around the world. Many tourists come to see famous spots like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The city also attracts many international students, who study at its universities and help the local economy.

Housing affordability

In recent years, Sydney has become a very expensive place to buy a house, making it hard for many people to find affordable places to live.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Sydney

Sydney's population has grown a lot over time. In 1788, there were fewer than 1,000 people. By 2021, the number of people living in Greater Sydney reached 5,231,150.

Most people in Sydney are married, and many families have children. The average age is 37.

Ancestry and immigration

Many people in Sydney come from different places. The most common backgrounds are English, Australian, Chinese, Irish, Scottish, Indian, Italian, Lebanese, Filipino, Greek, Vietnamese, German, Korean, Nepalese, and Australian Aboriginal. Almost 41% of Sydney’s residents were born in another country. The most common countries people come from are mainland China, India, England, Vietnam, the Philippines, and New Zealand.

At the 2021 census, 1.7% of Sydney's population identified as being Indigenous — Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

Language

In Sydney, many families speak a language other than English at home. The most common languages are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Hindi.

Religion

Christianity is the most common belief in Sydney, with Catholicism and Anglicanism being the largest groups. About 30% of people say they have no specific religion. Other common beliefs include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism.

Crime

Main article: Crime in Sydney

Sydney is considered a safe city. In 2019, it was ranked as the fifth safest city in the world. Some people struggle with drug use. Special rules were put in place to help reduce violence, but these rules were removed in 2020.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Sydney

Sydney has a rich history and many places where you can learn about the past. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is special because it has many old drawings made by Indigenous Australians, some almost 5,000 years old. These drawings help us understand the people who lived there long ago.

Sydney is home to many museums and libraries. The Australian Museum, opened in 1827, is the oldest natural history museum in Australia. The Museum of Sydney tells the story of how the city grew. Other museums include the Powerhouse Museum and the Australian National Maritime Museum. The State Library of New South Wales has one of the oldest collections in Australia.

Sydney has many places for entertainment. The city has theatres, and famous companies such as the Sydney Theatre Company. The Sydney Opera House is a famous building where many performances happen. Sydney also has many writers and filmmakers.

Sydney holds many festivals during the year. The Sydney Festival is the largest arts festival in Australia. Other festivals include the Royal Easter Show, Vivid Sydney, and the Sydney Writers' Festival. The city has many places to enjoy food, music, and nightlife in areas like Darling Harbour, The Rocks, and Oxford Street.

Sport and outdoor activities

Main article: Sport in Sydney

Sydney loves sports. Early settlers brought their love for games but had few places to play. The first organized sports were boxing, wrestling, and horse racing, starting in 1810 in Hyde Park. Horse racing is still popular today, with big events like the Golden Slipper Stakes.

Cricket began in 1826, and many matches have been played at the Sydney Cricket Ground since 1878.

Rugby became popular in Sydney in the 1880s. Many people watched matches between New South Wales and New Zealand. Today, Sydney has many rugby teams and hosts big international games. The city also has teams in other sports like soccer, Australian rules football, basketball, and more.

Major sporting venues

• .jpg)

  Stadium Australia

• .jpg)

  Sydney Cricket Ground

• .jpg)

  Western Sydney Stadium

<a href="/wiki/Sydney_Football_Stadium_\(2022\)">Sydney Football Stadium</a>

People in Sydney also enjoy outdoor activities. Swimming became popular in the 1800s, and the first surf lifesaving club started at Bondi Beach. The City2Surf run is a big annual event that draws thousands of runners.

Sailing has been a favorite since the 1800s, with the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race beginning each year on Boxing Day. Sydney has many places to play golf and other sports, and the city built many new sports facilities for the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Sydney was one of the host cities for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with matches played at Sydney Football Stadium and Stadium Australia.

Government

See also: Local government areas of New South Wales

The first leaders of New South Wales had a lot of power, and Sydney was where they made their decisions. Over time, more people could vote for leaders, and Sydney became an official city with its own local leaders.

Today, Sydney doesn’t have one single local government for the whole area. Instead, there are many smaller local governments, each taking care of things like libraries and local roads. The state government handles bigger jobs like schools and public transport. Sydney is also where important state leaders meet, and it has special homes for the country’s top leaders. The main court for the state is also located here.

Infrastructure

Education

Main article: Education in Sydney

Education has been important in Sydney since the 1870s when public schools began and schooling became required. Today, most adults in Sydney have some schooling, and many finished high school. Many also went to university. Sydney has six main public universities, including the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. There are also many schools and training centers for students of all ages.

Health

Sydney’s first hospital was a small tent. Over time, many hospitals were built, including important ones like Sydney Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children. Today, Sydney has many public hospitals that provide healthcare for all residents.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Sydney

Roads

Since World War II, cars have been important in Sydney. Many people need cars because the city’s suburbs are spread out. Sydney has busy roads, especially during peak hours, and many families own cars. Public transport is also widely used, especially in the city center.

Suburban trains

Sydney has a big network of trains that help people travel around the city. The train system began in the 1850s and has grown a lot. Trains are easy to use with Opal cards, and Central station is the main hub for all the train lines.

Metro

The Sydney Metro is a modern, driverless train system that’s growing to help people move around the city quickly. It’s faster than the regular trains, with trains coming every few minutes.

Light rail

Main article: Light rail in Sydney

Sydney used to have many trams, but now it has light rail lines that connect different parts of the city. These lines have grown to serve more people, especially in areas like the Inner West and Darling Harbour.

Buses

Main article: Buses in Sydney

Bus services in Sydney are run by private companies but use the same Opal cards as other public transport. There are many bus routes, including night buses called NightRide that run late at night.

Ferries

Sydney’s ferry service was once the biggest in the world. Today, ferries still run from Circular Quay to places like Manly and Parramatta, helping people travel across the harbour.

Airports

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is located in Mascot. It is Australia’s busiest airport, handling many passengers and flights. A new airport, Western Sydney International Airport, is being built and will open in 2026. There are also smaller airports and seaplane terminals for other types of travel.

Utilities

Sydney gets its water from rivers and dams, with big reservoirs like Warragamba providing most of the supply. The city also has a desalination plant to make sure there’s enough water. Electricity comes from local companies that manage a large network of power lines.

Environmental issues and pollution reduction

Main article: Environmental issues in Australia

Further information: Climate change in Australia and Renewable energy in Australia

Air quality

As climate change and pollution have become big problems for Australia, Sydney has tried to improve air quality and keep water clean. The Metropolitan Air Quality Scheme helps the government understand pollution better.

The bushfires of 2019–20 affected outer Sydney, causing poor air quality and smoky air for days. Since Sydney is surrounded by bushland, bushfires can create a ring of fire around the area.

The City of Sydney became the first council in Australia to achieve carbon-neutral certification in 2008. The city has cut carbon emissions and reduced energy use in buildings. Programs like Sustainable Sydney 2030 aim to help homes and offices use less energy. Solar panels on many buildings help reduce pollution.

The city plans to grow its urban forest by planting more trees. This helps clean the air and cool the city during hot weather. Sydney leads in building green offices and requires new buildings to be energy-efficient.

Car-dependency

Australian cities, including Sydney, often rely on cars. Sydney uses cars less than other big Australian cities but still uses them a lot. Sydney also has high public transport use, like cities such as New York.

To reduce pollution from vehicles, Sydney encourages public transport, builds more homes close together, and introduced many electric cars—the largest order in Australia. Electric cars help fight climate change. Cycling has grown in Sydney’s inner city, with more people riding bikes to work. New transport developments aim to improve public transport.

Sister cities

Sydney has several sister cities around the world. These include:

• San Francisco, United States of America
• Wellington, New Zealand
• Florence, Italy
• Nagoya, Japan
• Portsmouth, United Kingdom
• Guangzhou, China