5. Planning Leichhardt, Greater Sydney

The chapter addresses the extent Leichhardt Council (herein referred to as Leichhardt) 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 Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield councils noted in Chap. 2. Leichhardt (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 Leichhardt development and population changes (e.g. global movement of population) is outlined. To examine the pattern of urban development, four phases of Leichhardt development are examined: Early Leichhardt; Traditional Leichhardt; New Leichhardt; and, Future Leichhardt. 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 Leichhardt, a second question is posed: what is the impact of Greater Sydney planning and development on Leichhardt? In examining this question, examples of State plans (including State proposed council amalgamations) likely to impact on Leichhardt are addressed. By chapter’s end, conclusions are drawn on Council planning and Greater Sydney planning. 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).