Productive
Places

Our leadership goal to enable 30,000 jobs across our communities by 2036 is in direct response to the broader NSW government objectives. As at 2036, the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) forecasts the Sydney region alone will need 817,000 new jobs. As part of Landcom’s mandate we support these targets by developing great places and mixed-use communities where people can work, live and play. 

In FY18 our Economic Development Working Group²³ released an approach for overcoming the challenge of consistently and effectively calculating our efforts to enable enduring local jobs. We use proxy employment ratios, developed through detailed research and benchmarking, attributed to various land uses based on m² gross floor area. Examples of land uses included are commercial, retail, industrial, community, cultural, tourism, health services, education, storage, hotel, serviced apartment, student housing and residential. As jobs creation is a long term goal for Landcom, we report our performance based on the FY actuals, and forecast jobs created for the life of a project. This gives us a clear indication of whether we are on track to meet our 2036 target. 

In FY19 Landcom’s methodology was also adopted across the NSW Government’s Common Planning Assumptions Group (CPAG), influencing a consistent government wide approach. 

We also contribute to advancing education and skills development across our communities. We work with industry and registered training organisations to develop programs that address specific skills requirements of locals and provide training opportunities and employment pathways for those experiencing low or long term unemployment. We also collaborate with schools and other educational institutions to deliver learning and youth engagement programs that are aligned with the NSW primary and secondary curriculum topics. 

For Landcom’s FY21 performance for enabling jobs and providing local Training & Employment outcomes see Training & Employment Performance Results below.

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^{23 Participants include NSW Government Architect, Greater Sydney Commission} 

Landcom addresses innovation by investing in research that advances the property and development industry, and future-proofing our communities. 

We invest in collaborative research such as Cooperative Research Centre programs, or via our own Roundtable. Landcom’s Roundtable is a collaboration with other government organisations²⁴ and eight leading Australian universities. Comprised of senior representatives from each institution, the Roundtable meets several times a year to review research proposals that advance urban development innovation. 

Governance: Landcom’s Roundtable

Landcom’s research priorities are aligned to our Strategic Directions:

Landcom addresses emerging technologies in our Innovation focus area. Currently we are seeking to roll out smart technology to our new communities in the form of electric vehicle (EV) rapid charge stations and increasing the provision of free Wi-Fi in public places. We see these initiatives as future‑proofing communities, reducing inequalities in access to information and ensuring early adoption of future transport technologies. 

Ultimately, the provision of EV chargers throughout Landcom communities improves resilience, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces transport related cost of living expenses for residents. These targets also contribute to Landcom’s low-carbon transport approach, including accessibility to public transport, walkable and cycling-friendly neighbourhoods (see Health, Equity & Inclusion).

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^{24 During FY21 government participants included NSW Government Architect, Greater Sydney Commission.}

Our Sustainable Places Strategy identifies a number of initiatives as future opportunities to enhance our Productive Places commitments. These include:

• adopting a Reconciliation Action Plan (retired – integrated into BAU)
• continuing to engage with industry on smart cities and innovation.

In FY21 we commenced the process of adopting a Reconciliation Action Plan. We will update our management approach in FY22. This responds to our new material matter of respecting indigenous culture and heritage. We will also be moving this priority to our Accountable & Collaborative Place pillar, as it best aligns to Human Rights. Activities undertaken this year are shared in our Case Study: Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Landcom is now an ongoing member of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Circular Economy Working Group, and focuses on innovation via our Roundtable and Green Star certifications.