Your local area

The City of Sydney is a capital city council responsible for services and programs for our local residents, businesses, workers and visitors. In Australia, councils such as the City of Sydney are one level of a three-tier system of government.

The local community includes around 187,561 residents, 437,000 workers and more than 480,000 daily visitors (2012 estimates), as well as other government agencies, arts and culture organisations and community-based service providers.

The City of Sydney has one of Australia's most culturally diverse populations in Australia. Almost half the residents were born overseas while almost 30% speak a language other than English at home. After English, the main languages spoken at home are Chinese and Thai.

Sustainable Sydney 2030

In 2007, we asked local residents and businesses what they wanted to see happen in their city over the next 20 years and beyond. The result is a collective vision for Sydney's sustainable development to make the city green, global and connected.

Our projects and strategies towards 2030 cover business and economy, communities and culture, sustainability,architecture and design and transport and access.

Refugees and asylum seekers 

Our city is a culturally diverse area that has become home to refugees and asylum seekers from around the world.

We have been an official refugee welcome zone since 2005, when Council declared its commitment to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers into our community. This was also a commitment to upholding human rights, demonstrating compassion and enhancing cultural and religious diversity in our community.

Racism. It stops with me.

We are proud to join forces with some of Australia’s leading businesses, sporting bodies and other organisations to support the 'Racism. It stops with me' campaign.

The City of Sydney has committed to preventing racism by pledging to undertake activities over the next 3 years in support of the campaign.

How you can get involved

As a local resident, or business/property owner, your rates and any fees and charges you pay contribute tothe City providing essential services.

We welcome and encourage your input. These are just 3 ways you can have your say in how the City operates.

Contact a Councillor 

The City's 10 Councillors are elected for 4-year terms by residents and ratepayers (business and property owners). Each Councillor has a profile online.

Attend Council meetings

You can participate in community forums andCommittee meetings of Council. 

Provide feedback on policies and strategies

Community input is vital for our projects to succeed ensuring they meet community needs.

We publicly exhibit proposed projects and we invite your feedback through our online community consultation hub Sydney Your Say .