6. Planning Burwood, Greater Sydney

The chapter addresses the extent Burwood Council (herein referred to as Burwood) is applying sustainable urban planning (SUP) practices (see Chap. 1) in planning the municipal area. The chapter acknowledges the Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016 merging Burwood with Strathfield and Canada Bay councils noted in Chap. 2. Burwood (in Sydney Inner West District) is one of twelve municipalities within three Greater Sydney Districts (Sydney Inner West, Greater Parramatta and St George), all considered to be in global transition (see Chap. 2). Examining SUP practices is based on the application of three key SUP principles (as adopted in Chap. 2), being: Developing Sustainable Urban Centers; Developing Sustainable Transport; and, Protecting the Natural Environment.

Firstly, a background to Burwood development and population changes (e.g. global movement of population) is outlined. To examine the pattern of urban development, four phases of Burwood development are examined: Early Burwood; Traditional Burwood; New Burwood; and, Future Burwood. Given conclusions reached here, key Leichhardt Council planning documents are then critiqued to determine the extent Council applies SUP practices. In addition, given State planning of Greater Sydney affects Burwood, a second question is posed: what is the impact of Greater Sydney planning and development on Burwood? In examining this question, examples of State plans (including council amalgamations under the Proclamation noted above) likely to affect Bufrwood are addressed. By chapter’s end, conclusions are drawn on Council planning and impact of Greater Sydney planning on Burwood. The chapter notes that these conclusions will be addressed further in: Chap. 9 (examining the extent of SUP practices being applied over the whole of Sydney Inner West District); and, Chap. 18 (examining directions for planning a sustainable Greater Sydney or a sustainable city anywhere).