Due to it's climate, national parks and beaches, Sydney is one of the most desirable cities on the planet. As a result this has lead to sustained and very high (3% year on year) internal (rural/regional to city) and external migration.
In response to this migration, local governments close to the city center have done everything in their power for the last half century to oppose high density construction in any form, and to ensure that construction that does occur is not paired with adequate parks, walking/cycling routes, schools, transit, or external parking garages. Eastern suburb train stations in the 70's were protested and cancelled mid construction, and several new rail lines in the 80's and 90's have been cancelled due to thinly veiled race politics.
This has resulted in suburban sprawl and some of the worlds worst road congestion and gridlock that extends all the way to Sydney's periphery, and for 12+ hours per day during weekdays.
Due to it's climate, national parks and beaches, Sydney is one of the most desirable cities on the planet. As a result this has lead to sustained and very high (3% year on year) internal (rural/regional to city) and external migration.
In response to this migration, local governments close to the city center have done everything in their power for the last half century to oppose high density construction in any form, and to ensure that construction that does occur is not paired with adequate parks, walking/cycling routes, schools, transit, or external parking garages. Eastern suburb train stations in the 70's were protested and cancelled mid construction, and several new rail lines in the 80's and 90's have been cancelled due to thinly veiled race politics.
This has resulted in suburban sprawl and some of the worlds worst road congestion and gridlock that extends all the way to Sydney's periphery, and for 12+ hours per day during weekdays.