Providing services and social infrastructure to meet people’s changing needs

The design and management of open spaces, cultural spaces and the public realm needs to consider the needs of children and young people (refer to Planning Priority C6).

The Office of the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People’s NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People is the first legislated three-year whole-of-government plan focused on all children and young people aged 0–24 years. It aims to give children and young people opportunities to thrive, get the services they need and have their voice heard.

The Hills and Parramatta local government areas are projected to see the largest increase in people aged 20–24 years across the District between 2016 and 2036 (76 per cent and 65 per cent respectively).

The Central City District provides tertiary and vocational education and training facilities that allow people to gain and refine skills for employment and connect with other people in the community. These include the Western Sydney University campuses in Westmead, Parramatta CBD and Rydalmere, University of Sydney campus in Westmead, and TAFE campuses in Blacktown, Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Parramatta, Lidcombe and Granville. TAFEs and universities are employment hubs for knowledge-intensive industries.

State Environmental Planning Policy (Educational Establishments and Child Care Facilities) 2017 recognises the need for schools, TAFEs and university level educational infrastructure with a focus on good design.

Older people

A 183 per cent proportional increase in people aged 85 and over, and a 95 per cent increase in the 65–84 age group, is expected by 2036. This means 16 per cent of the District’s population will be aged 65 or over in 2036, up from 11 per cent in 2016.

Parramatta and The Hills local government areas have the largest projected growth in the 65 to 84 age groups.

More diverse housing types and medium density housing, as well as the design of walkable neighbourhoods, will create opportunities for older people to continue living in their community, where being close to family, friends and established health and support networks improves people's wellbeing².

Coordinated and additional health, social and aged care services and collaborative responses across government and industry are needed to meet the expected increase in demand for local aged care facilities and respite services, including home care options (with associated visitor parking). This approach will also need to address care for people with specific needs such as those with dementia and the frail aged.

The NSW Ageing Strategy 2016–2020, prepared by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, responds to the opportunities and challenges of the ageing population. This strategy focuses on five priority areas including health and wellbeing, working and retiring, housing choices, getting around and inclusive communities.

Accessibility

Public places including streets, parks, shopping precincts and community facilities must be designed so that people of all ages and abilities can participate in community life. In addition to the rapidly ageing population, the District includes over 44,000 people with a disability³. Walkable places and homes of universal design are essential to provide opportunities for the participation of all people.

Universal design of places, homes and public transport is increasingly required as the population grows and demographics change. It is a key part of planning for 30-minute cities ensuring that children, young people, people with disability and older people can easily access services.

Neighbourhoods, streets and transport also need to be safe and designed in accordance with the of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

This focus on accessibility, inclusion and safety when designing and building neighbourhoods, public transport and transport interchanges, places and homes will encourage a greater cross-section of people to lead physically active and socially connected lives. This is especially important for the health of people ageing in community and also benefits people with a disability and families.

Joint and shared use

Infrastructure can be adapted and shared for different uses – school and open space facilities can be used for community, sports, arts, screen, cultural and recreational use when they are not otherwise required. Creating opportunities for increased shared use and more flexible use of under-utilised facilities can support growth and respond to the different needs of local demographic groups. In new developments providing multipurpose and intergenerational facilities can support better access to and use of infrastructure.

There are a number of opportunities for developing a more collaborative city by enhancing shared use of spaces and greater connectivity between residents. These include the occasional use of streets for community events such as temporary markets, basketball and other sports or school fetes.

Joint and shared use of facilities is encouraged to make school assets available to the community outside school hours and to give schools access to community facilities.

Joint use involves a school and a community partner funding shared facilities, such as building and operating a sportsground with a local council.

Shared use is where a school allows community use of school facilities during out-of-school hours.

Each neighbourhood has facilities such as libraries, community centres, adult education, sport and recreation facilities that enhance and promote social connections and networks within the community.

Schools are an important example of these social connectors. Where shared use of these facilities is achieved, its function as a community hub is significantly enhanced (refer to Planning Priority C4).

Joint and shared-use agreements increase opportunities for the community to access facilities and resources and facilitate programs and activities where resources and funding are limited. This is particularly important in urban environments with high land values and growing demand for access to open space and community facilities.

Established partnerships between local councils and the NSW Government for shared use of school facilities in the Central City District include a jointuse agreement between The Hills Shire Council and the NSW Department of Education that enables co-utilisation of a new outdoor sporting field and an indoor sports centre at Kellyville South Public School. Similarly, a joint-use agreement between City of Parramatta Council and the NSW Department of Education enables the upgrading of the existing pool at Macarthur Girls High School to provide learn-to-swim services and limited community access, allowing Council to continue delivering aquatic services while plans for a new aquatic facility for Parramatta are finalised.

In the Western Sydney Parklands, Blacktown City Council has committed to developing a new animal holding facility. The facility could be shared with other councils and will accommodate a growing demand for animal holding services in Greater Sydney.