Stronger together
Welcome to Resilient Sydney
The future is collaboration
Resilient Sydney is a program for Greater Sydney, New South Wales, designed to build the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems to survive, adapt, and thrive in the face of chronic stresses and acute shocks.
This local government initiative works collaboratively with the 33 councils of Greater Sydney to develop and deliver a region-wide resilience strategy.
Our mission
Collaborate to manage risk and build resilience in Greater Sydney through knowledge sharing, capacity building and planning for our communities, infrastructure, and natural environment.
Who we are
Resilient Sydney
Resilient Sydney is a collaboration of all 33 councils of Greater Sydney, a member of the Resilient Cities Network, the regionwide collaboration began in 2015, and was one of the first in the world to create and implement a Resilience Strategy, first published in 2018.
The second strategy was developed in 2025 and has been endorsed by the member councils. Resilient Sydney is governed by a steering committee of council representatives, NSW Government agencies and the community sector.
Championing local government
The resilience challenges facing Greater Sydney cannot be solved individually.
They require a collaborative effort from local, state and federal government, business and community.
Working together, in genuine partnership, will ensure Greater Sydney is a place where all communities thrive.
Greater Sydney councils
Collaborating organisations
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Environment under pressure and increasing extreme weather events
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Inequitable services and opportunities
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Depleted community wellbeing and waning sense of community
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Using lessons learnt to better prepare and respond in the future
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Complex governance in the context of declining trust
Our strategy
How are these being addressed?
The Resilient Sydney Strategy 2025–2030 contains 30 actions that, delivered through collaboration across all levels of government — national, state and local — and partnerships with business and communities, would significantly improve our region’s resilience. Actions were developed following extensive engagement of 200 organisations and 2,000 individuals, alongside a region-wide risk assessment. What we heard from Sydney communities and technical stakeholders is captured in key reports.
- Direction 1 Care for the environment A city where we care for the environment and live sustainably
- Direction 2 People-centred city An equitable city with climate resilient neighbourhoods
- Direction 3 Connect for strength An inclusive city that supports social connections and community agency
- Direction 4 Be ready A city where people and organisations are prepared for emergencies
- Direction 5 One city A city with coordinated governance that people trust
Snapshot of Greater Sydney
People
5,231,147
66% of NSW's and 21% of Australia's population
Density per km²
429
25/km² in Hawkesbury vs. 8,173/km² in City of Sydney
GDP
490 b.
68% of NSW GDP, 25% of Australian GDP
Cultures
200+
41% of residents born overseas
Local government areas
33
Solar PV coverage
2,287mw
Across Greater Sydney rooftops
Canopy cover
21.7%
Across the metro urban area
Emissions of CO₂-e
45 m.
Trending down by 8% since 2014
Catchments
3–9
3 major catchments, 9 river systems
Resilience Resource Centre
Explore our full library of tools, guides and reports — carefully curated to support cities, communities and practitioners in advancing sustainable, equitable and climate-ready urban futures.
Click here