16. Planning Rockdale, Greater Sydney

The chapter addresses the extent Rockdale Council (herein referred to as Rockdale) 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 proposed merging Rockdale with Botany council noted in Chap. 2. Rockdale (in St George 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 Rockdale development and population changes (e.g. global movement of population) is outlined. To examine the pattern of urban development, four phases of Rockdale development are examined: Early Rockdale; Traditional Rockdale; New Rockdale; and, Future Rockdale. Given conclusions reached here, key Rockdale Council planning documents are then critiqued to determine the extent Council applies SUP practices. In addition, given State planning of Greater Sydney affects Rockdale, a second question is posed: what is the impact of Greater Sydney planning and development on Rockdale? In examining this question, examples of State plans (including council amalgamations under the Proclamation noted above) likely to affect Rockdale are addressed. By chapter’s end, conclusions are drawn on Council planning and the impact of Greater Sydney planning on Rockdale. The chapter notes that these conclusions will be addressed further in: Chap. 17 (examining the extent of SUP practices being applied over the whole of St George District); and, Chap. 18 (examining directions for planning a sustainable Greater Sydney or a sustainable city anywhere).