info@gcc.nsw.gov.au
The significant growth and development planned for the Eastern City District will mean that demand for energy and water and the generation of waste will increase. Without new approaches to the use of energy and water and management of waste, greenhouse gas emissions are likely to increase.
The District has an opportunity to include precinctwide energy, water and waste efficiency systems for urban renewal, industrial and urban services land, centres and Collaboration Areas. Adopting a placebased approach is necessary to achieve the best sustainability outcomes, including renewing and replacing inefficient infrastructure and organising utilities, waste management, car parking, amenities, open space, urban green cover and public spaces.
Better design of precinct-wide energy, water and waste systems will encourage a circular economy that improves efficiency. A circular economy means designing waste out of the system. For example, a food manufacturing plant could send waste to an adjacent anaerobic digester to power the plant.
A low-carbon District
More efficient use of energy and water in the District will reduce impacts on the environment and the District's greenhouse gas emissions.
The Commission has been seeking to better understand greenhouse gas emissions for each district across Greater Sydney and will continue to explore opportunities for planning initiatives to support the NSW Government's goal of achieving a pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
Potential pathways towards net-zero emissions in the District include:
- new public transport infrastructure, electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles to connect residents to their nearest strategic centre or metropolitan centre within 30 minutes
- a range of transport demand management initiatives including working from home, improved walking and cycling, or improved access to car sharing, carpooling and on-demand transport
- new building standards and retrofits so that energy, water and waste systems operate as efficiently as possible in residential and non-residential buildings
- building and precinct-scale renewables
- waste diversion from landfill.
The way Greater Sydney's urban structure and built form develops in future can support NSW's transition towards net-zero emissions. Better integrating land use with transport planning will help slow emissions growth by locating new homes near public transport and high quality walkways and cycle paths.
Building on existing public transport connections with electric vehicle transport hubs, shared autonomous vehicles and other innovative transport technologies can further reduce greenhouse emissions, and reduce levels of noise and air pollution. Prioritising parking spaces for car sharing and carpooling can support more efficient use of road space and help reduce emissions. Emerging transport technologies will reduce the need for parking spaces and help reduce congestion.
Designing high efficiency buildings and incorporating renewables will reduce emissions and reduce costs over time. This means improving the energy and water efficiency of buildings, and reducing waste in urban renewal projects and infrastructure projects.
Recycling local water and harvesting stormwater creates opportunities for greening public open spaces including parks, ovals and school playgrounds. Recycling water diversifies the sources of water to meet demands for drinking, irrigating open spaces, keeping waterways clean and contributing to Greater Sydney's water quality objectives.
The Eastern City District is leading the way in sustainability and energy efficiency innovation by mainstreaming highly energy-efficient buildings, encouraging building renovations that ensure lowcarbon and high efficiency performance, enabling green energy, water and waste infrastructure solutions, and replacing old and inefficient existing infrastructure and technologies.
Urban renewal projects in the District will provide opportunities to improve the energy and water efficiency of new and existing buildings; incorporate building and precinct-scale renewables; and manage waste more efficiently to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs, and appeal to building owners and tenants.
They also create the opportunity to upgrade ageing water, stormwater, sewer and waste infrastructure at the precinct scale. Sites such as Barangaroo and Central Park, Broadway are recent examples of these gains, while renewal in areas like Redfern to Eveleigh/Waterloo and The Bays Precinct have potential to become low-emissions and high environmental efficiency precincts.
Recycling and reducing waste
There is diminishing capacity in existing landfill sites in Greater Sydney, with more waste being sent to landfill outside the region. This increases costs to the community. Additional sites for waste management in Greater Sydney would improve efficiencies in managing waste.
The Eastern City District relies on landfill as a waste disposal option. Waste generated in Eastern City District is moved by rail and road to landfills outside the District, such as Woodlawn near Goulburn.
The planning and design of new developments should support the sustainable and effective collection and management of waste. The Environment Protection Authority has prepared a range of guidelines and other information to assist in the sustainable management of waste.
Treating separated organic waste and then processing it through an energy from waste facility will reduce waste sent to landfill, and can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In higher density neighbourhoods, innovative precinct-based waste collection, re-use and recycling would improve efficiency, reduce truck movements and boost the recycling economy. Where possible, additional land should be identified for waste management reprocessing, re-use and recycling.
Collaboration on major precincts such as the Randwick health and education precinct present a unique opportunity to investigate more efficient approaches to energy, water and waste management.