The 'Failed state' of NSW

[Prince George]

Haven't had a chance to read it properly yet, but lors-a-mitty it makes NSW read like a basket case. From the link that lead me to it:

11 December 2009 This essay explores the endemic problems that plague New South Wales, to its economic, commercial and political detriment.

“The end of the boom was less a sudden bursting of an asset bubble than a long period of gradual but relentless entropy to the point where, in January of this year, Access Economics identified New South Wales as having the worst state economy in the country; a wooden spoon traditionally presented to Tasmania or South Australia. It wasn’t all bad, though. In July the finance boffins predicted the situation would soon stabilise because … ‘The state simply won’t get any worse, it’s fallen so far. When you are already in the gutter it is hard to fall much further.’”

In “Failed State”, John Birmingham insightfully explores the endemic problems that plague New South Wales, to its economic, commercial and political detriment. Birmingham charts the state’s descent into recession, while also discussing its widespread institutional corruption; with so many self-serving interests in play, there is very little room left for those that would attempt to rectify the situation.

http://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-es ... wales-2180

[Wayno]

Sydney has BIG problems - politically, culturally, financially, <insert more 'allys' here>. IMHO, it will take tremendous politcal will and many many years to remedy. We moved back to Adelaide a few years ago coz we found it increasingly harder to relate to the place. It's a place to work hard, not a place to live gently and raise a family (unless you have a BIG salary or inheritance).

There was a write-up on NSW in a recent Weekend Fin Review. Troubles apparently started when Carr essentially put up a "closed for business" sign and halted immigration, coincidentally Victoria & Queensland started to blossom. Corrupt political deals, esp in relation to the "out of control" mid-rise property development in just about all suburbs has really eaten away the visual character of established suburbs too (stumpjumper would have a field day commenting on what happens between property developers and the govt in Sydney).

In my mind, Sydney (and hence NSW) has lost it's identity - locals can little-relate to the longstanding "harbour city" label coz most rarely see the water (except maybe when whizzing past in the daily commute). A growing percentage live in distant outer suburbs that have little character, were not designed well enough to foster a community feeling (little TOD-like design) and only those who live there can point to it on a map. The culture has become divisive: [/b]South vs North vs East vs West.

Sydney could have really benefited from a structured approach and rollout of TODs similar to what's just starting to happen here in Adelaide. We are certainly in the fortunate position of being able to learn from the mistakes of others.

[Hooligan]

[Aidan]

As it's been a year today since I last went to Sydney for a job interview, it seems a fitting time to respond.

The ABC did a better report on Sydney's problems earlier this year. There's a lot that needs to be done, but the government are deciding what needs to be done quite arbitrarily - there's no objective decision making process. The public seem to be excluded from the process, though sadly that last criticism also applies in SA.

And NSW is only a failed state by Australian standards. It's still doing better than England!

In my mind, Sydney (and hence NSW) has lost it's identity

I reckon NSW lost its identity when they capitulated to other states' objections over their slogan. Calling it The Premier State made them look clever and important. Calling it The First State made them look stupid and obsolete.

- locals can little-relate to the longstanding "harbour city" label coz most rarely see the water (except maybe when whizzing past in the daily commute). A growing percentage live in distant outer suburbs that have little character, were not designed well enough to foster a community feeling (little TOD-like design)

No point in having TOD-like design if you don't have the transit. Train services (where they exist) are good, but most of the bus services are pathetic.

and only those who live there can point to it on a map. The culture has become divisive: [/b]South vs North vs East vs West.

It will be interesting to see whether their new AFL team can exploit those divisions.

Sydney could have really benefited from a structured approach and rollout of TODs similar to what's just starting to happen here in Adelaide. We are certainly in the fortunate position of being able to learn from the mistakes of others.

In economic terms we can certainly learn from their mistakes, but in urban planning terms I doubt it, as we have never been at all similar.

Perhaps the most important question is how it will affect revenue for SA. The worst case scenario is that the Federal government would divert money away from us and other states to rescue NSW. The best case scenario is that they'd recognise that all states need more money. Am I too cynical if I say the most likely scenario is that they'd do nothing, so NSW will have to raise state taxes? And if that is what happens, will the other states follow suit?

[PeFe]

Sydney is the capital of TOD development in this country, you only need to visit the areas around these railway stations to see
transport orientated development (Kings Cross, Bondi Junction, Chatswood, St.Leonards, Paramatta, Strathfield,Burwood Hurstville, Wolli Creek, Hornsby, Edgecliff) No city in this country comes anywhere near Sydney in the building of apartments near public transport corridors. The bus service is problematic because of Sydney traffic and the geographic constraints of harbours etc
NSW is not a "failed state".....Unemployment is below or at national average and wages are higher than the rest of the country
(excluding Canberra and Darwin probably) There are however definitely issues surrounding NSW government transport policy and these will have be addressed at some stage in the near future (ie building new railway lines to large chunks of train-less suburbia
and new metro lines for the increasingly dense inner city)

[Wayno]

Sydney is the capital of TOD development in this country

Jamming lots of high-rise residences next to transport is not fully-fledged TOD behaviour.

[Aidan]

Sydney is the capital of TOD development in this country

Jamming lots of high-rise residences next to transport is not fully-fledged TOD behaviour.

Would fully fledged TOD behaviour be any more effective?

What Sydney needs is better transit, not better TOD behaviour!

[Wayno]

Sydney is the capital of TOD development in this country

Jamming lots of high-rise residences next to transport is not fully-fledged TOD behaviour.

Would fully fledged TOD behaviour be any more effective?

What Sydney needs is better transit, not better TOD behaviour!

Hi Aiden & PeFe, yep agree - better transit will help NSW. I did not mean to imply that better TODs would even vaguely help solve the woes of Sydney. Just that we (SA) could learn several TOD related lessons from NSW.

Apologies Prince George for hijacking your thread. Please continue...

[fabricator]