Waste management is another serious challenge. Sydney is at the crossroads. The other path would use waste minimisation and recycling to handle Sydney's waste. The State Government has just received the report of its Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry which endorsed a resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable approach. The big property owners and developers also have a role to play.
Government has to offer a lead, too.
It buys many products, commissions new buildings and owns the water and electricity utilities. Landcom creates new subdivisions and rehabilitates old sites - each should be developed to the highest environmental standards. The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning needs to actively support environmental sustainability. There is a lot to do, if Sydney is to become clean and green. Jeff Angel is director of the Total Environment Centre.