Sydneysiders are more optimistic about the future than a year ago, and willing to support the reforms needed to guarantee it, according to a new survey released today (Mon).

“The optimism we’re seeing here is the best kind of report card for how Sydney and the nation have dealt with the onset of Covid-19,” said Committee for Sydney CEO Gabriel Metcalf.

The Committee for Sydney’s Life In Sydney report is a new annual survey of over 1,000 Sydneysiders taking in views from across the greater city, and conducted by Ipsos.

“Australia and China are the only countries that are feeling this hopeful and happy about our quality of life – every other nation has gone backwards this year. It’s a great place to be as we move into what’s likely to be a challenging recovery.”

The results also show Sydneysiders want government to undertake a bold reform agenda, with strong and surprisingly high support across the board for reforms including:

• Transforming Australia’s oldest city-to-city roadway, Parramatta Road
• Transitioning away from coal to clean renewable sources of energy
• Allowing home buyers to switch from a one-time stamp duty to an annual land tax
• Introducing a road user levy on electric vehicles to begin a gradual transition away from petrol taxes in anticipation of widespread adoption of electric vehicles
• Granting permanent visas to encourage tech founders to set up in Australia.

“This is a call to action for governments of all stripes – if you’re interested in taking on these important reforms, but worried about community support, this data shows there is strong appetite for action right across Sydney.”

“In every recession we’ve seen businesses and jobs disappear, in some cases replaced by new enterprises and the new skills needed to power them – we need to create the conditions that will allow society to grow back as strong as possible.”

Note to editors:

For interviews or to see the survey results, please contact Matt Levinson: 0499 319 385 matt@sydney.org.au

The Life in Sydney results will be presented at the Committee for Sydney’s inaugural Sydney Summit at ICC Sydney on Monday 8 February 2021, alongside keynote speakers including NSW Treasurer, the Hon Dominic Perrottet MP, Grattan Institute CEO, Danielle Wood, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission, Geoff Roberts AM, Secretary of the NSW Treasury, Mike Pratt, Committee for Sydney CEO, Gabriel Metcalf, and futurist Simon Corah – more information in the Sydney Summit 2021 event program.

The Committee for Sydney is an urban policy think tank. We are advocates for the whole of Sydney, developing pragmatic and innovative solutions to the most important problems we face. We are funded by a group of Sydney’s leading corporations, government departments and cultural institutions. Our goal is to make Sydney the best city in the world.