What Sydneysiders really think about more housing in their own suburb

Nearly half of Sydneysiders accept or support higher-density housing in their own suburb, new research shows, despite most feeling voiceless about how their community will be developed.

The Ipsos poll – to be presented at Friday’s Sydney Summit, hosted by the Committee for Sydney think tank and supported by the Herald – showed concerns about cost-of-living pressures and housing affordability had dropped slightly in the past year, but still dwarfed all other worries for Sydneysiders, while young adults under 30 increasingly aspired to purchase their own home.

As the NSW government forges ahead with plans to boost housing supply in established and well-connected parts of Sydney, the Life in Sydney survey of 1000 people in January showed support for building more homes across the city had risen to 67 per cent, from 63 per cent this time last year. Opposition to more development dropped from 14 per cent to 11 per cent in the same period.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of people either strongly or tended to support increased residential density in their own neighbourhood, up from 46 per cent last year and 44 per cent in 2024. About 17 per cent of people were strongly opposed to the idea, while 18 per cent were ambivalent.

Matt Levinson, the committee’s head of corporate affairs, said: “We’ve seen [support for increased density in people’s own suburbs] gradually moving up year on year, and the number of people who oppose it gradually declining. Two-thirds of the city now see it as OK in their own neighbourhood.

“That, to me, says people are not just seeing the need for housing, but they’re also seeing the benefits of density in their own area.”

To that end, more than half of Sydneysiders thought increasing density in established suburbs would have a positive impact on the provision of affordable and decent housing, a diverse range of shopping, leisure and dining experiences, access to a town centre, and reliable public transport.

Despite the uptick in support for more density, the vast majority of residents (72 per cent) felt they did not have a say in how their community was going to be developed. Only 28 per cent of people thought governments (of all levels) were addressing the needs of their communities, while 23 per cent reported understanding well or very well how plans for Sydney would develop in the next five years.

More than two-thirds of people did not know whether they had provided feedback or engaged with development issues, or did not know how to.

“You end up with this enormous group, 38 per cent, who don’t have a voice in the community and don’t know how to provide feedback. They’re not people who are disengaged and don’t mind. They’re people who are disengaged and are really frustrated about it,” Levinson said.

There was also a significant jump in people under 30 wanting to own their own home, with 68 per cent of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) respondents saying it was important or essential. That sentiment was up from 53 per cent last year and 40 per cent in 2024.

“If people are growing up and seeing home ownership as a crucial aspiration, there’s going to be a real gap between their expectations if they can’t deliver on that. So there’s a real challenge for us,” Levinson said.

The report also showed 38 per cent of people thought governments should focus on solving planning changes that faced Sydney now; compared to 49 per cent who thought they should take a longer-term view to ensure Sydney was liveable in 20 years. Forty-three per cent supported the government running a budget deficit to invest in infrastructure for the city’s future, compared to 34 per cent who preferred the budget to be in surplus to drive down debt.

Asked whether the city’s leaders should make “bold planning decisions for the future of Sydney”, more than 60 per cent said yes.

Cost-of-living pressures and housing affordability were again overwhelmingly identified as the biggest problems facing Sydneysiders. Levinson said the level of concern had dropped slightly since last year, as had the proportion of people who felt they were doing it tough financially.

“We see that flowing through to an increased sense of positivity around the future, and an increased sense of confidence. And positivity about some of the [assets] that we have around Sydney.”

Overall, satisfaction with life in Sydney remained on par with last year, with 77 per cent of residents feeling satisfied and 10 per cent dissatisfied.

The Sydney Summit, held at the International Convention Centre on Friday, will explore the state of life, work, innovation and culture in Sydney, and the kind of city that is being created for future generations. This year’s theme is “the bold city”.

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