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As the District's population grows, major demographic changes are also occurring. Planning must recognise the changing composition of population groups in local places and provide services and social infrastructure that meet the changes in people's wellbeing needs through different stages of life. This requires integrated planning and collaboration including consideration of the provision of services and the overall health and wellbeing outcomes for the community and intergenerational equity.
Population projections show distinct differences in projected growth in some age groups in the District's local government areas (refer to Figures 3 and 4). In the South District the greatest increase in population is expected in Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area, where 70 per cent of new residents (142,450 additional people by 2036) will be accommodated due to anticipated urban renewal. The next largest increase is anticipated to be in Sutherland Local Government Area, where the population will increase by 13 percent.
Growth places demand on existing services and infrastructure, including sport and recreation facilities that are, in some cases, at or nearing capacity. Integrated and targeted delivery of services and infrastructure is needed to support growth and take account of existing levels of provision and use, while also responding to changing demands over time and in different places. Residents need the right mix of local services, programs and infrastructure to meet their needs.
Facilities can be the focus of neighbourhoods with the co-location of schools, youth and health services, aged care, libraries, community and cultural facilities, parks and recreation areas. These facilities need to be accessible with direct and safe walking and cycling connections that can be used by people of all ages and abilities. This encourages people to be more physically and socially active, improves health outcomes and enhances the overall liveability of a neighbourhood or centre.
Improving safety, accessibility and inclusion by colocating activities benefits all residents and visitors. When supported by a fine grain urban form and land use mix which provides a greater diversity of uses and users, liveability can be improved.
Creating opportunities to increase shared use and more flexible use of underutilised facilities such as schools, sports facilities, halls and creative spaces can support growth and respond to the different needs of local demographic groups. Multipurpose and intergenerational facilities are the key to better use of, and access to, infrastructure and services in urban renewal and land release areas.
Publicly owned land, including social housing in renewal precincts, may provide opportunities to optimise the co-location of social infrastructure and mixed uses at the heart of neighbourhoods.
Integrated and targeted delivery of services and infrastructure is needed to support growth and respond to the different needs of population groups. Accessible local health services and regional health infrastructure such as hospitals are important for all people across the District. South East Sydney Local Health District focuses on healthy communities through community health services, obesity prevention and promotion of a healthy built environment (refer to Planning Priority S4).
Cemeteries and crematoria are key social infrastructure that also need to be accessible geographically and economically, and reflective of a diversity of cultures and backgrounds. A growing Greater Sydney requires additional land for burials and cremations with associated facilities such as reception space and car parking.
Children and young people
Over the 20 years to 2036, projections show an expected increase of 9,300 children aged four years and younger who will make up the District's population, with almost 90 per cent of the anticipated growth in the Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area.
Planning for early education and child care facilities requires innovative approaches to the use of land and floor space, including co-location with compatible uses such as primary schools and office buildings, close to transport facilities.
The NSW Department of Education estimates that an extra 31,600 students will need to be accommodated in both government and non-government schools in the District by 2036. A projected increase in schoolaged children of 30 per cent necessitates planning for new and more innovative use of existing schools. The Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area will need to accommodate a substantial 72 per cent of this growth.
The NSW Department of Education's high-level School Assets Strategic Plan Summary 2017 coordinates planning for, and delivery of, both new and expanded schools. It encourages the joint and shared use of school facilities with local government and the private sector to develop innovative ways to provide school infrastructure. School Infrastructure NSW, a new specialist unit within the Department, will undertake school community planning and deliver the education infrastructure program, working with other State agencies and community groups to develop schools as community hubs.
Schools help to create and support inclusive and vibrant neighbourhoods. Planning for new schools, and the use of existing schools must respond to growth and changing demand in innovative ways such as more efficient use of land, contemporary design, greater sharing of spaces and facilities, and flexible learning spaces. Safe walking and cycling links to schools encourage young people to be more active and better connect schools with local communities. They can reduce local congestion around schools, improving safety for children and families.
The design and management of open space, cultural spaces and the public realm need to consider the needs of children and young people (refer to Planning Priority S6).
The Office of the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People released the NSW Strategic Plan for Children and Young People, 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.
Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area is projected to see the largest growth in people aged 20-24 years (36 per cent) between 2016 and 2036.
The South 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. TAFEs and universities are also employment hubs for knowledge-intensive industries.
State Environmental Planning Priority (Educational Establishments and Child Care Facilities) 2017 recognises the need for child care, schools, TAFEs and University level infrastructure with a focus on good design.
Older people
An 85 per cent proportional increase in people aged 85 and over and a 57 per cent increase in the 65-84 age group is expected by 2036. This means 19 per cent of the District's population will be aged 65 or over in 2036, up from 15 per cent in 2016.
Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area will see the highest growth in older people, with 35,900 additional people aged 65 or over. In the Sutherland Shire Local Government Area, the number of people aged 65 or over will increase by 19,450 - meaning almost half its population growth will be in the 65-84 age group.
More diverse housing types and medium density housing and 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 wellbeing1.
Coordinated 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. It 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 39,500 people with a disability2. 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. Planning for 30-minute cities will ensure children, young people, people with a disability and older people can easily access services.
Neighbourhoods, streets and transport also need to be safe and designed in accordance with the principles 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 a building and operating a sports ground 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 4).
Joint and shared use agreements increase opportunities for the community to access facilities and programs 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.
Department of Education promotes joint or shared use of school and community facilities and is currently piloting joint use planning with some councils and organisations.