From the outside looking in : planning and land management in Sydney's fringe

![CDATA[This paper explores the major issues arising in Sydney’s rural-urban fringe. It is important to inform such a discussion by reference to population characteristics and trends which help to explain the unique nature of this dynamic and somewhat indeterminate area. Accordingly the discussion begins by briefly and selectively examining what kinds of people live in the rural-urban fringe. The body of the paper is then taken up with description, discussion and comment on seven planning matters. The paper does not attempt to discuss the policy responses to the issues raised as they are numerous. Instead, we intend to highlight the key issues that have to be considered for planning in the fringe of Sydney. One important thing to note is that this paper is looking at the rural land in Sydney’s fringe from the outside looking in rather from the inside looking out. That is from a rural perspective, rather from a future urban perspective. We aim to challenge the often-held belief that rural land on the fringe of cities is merely urban land in waiting. Whilst it is acknowledged that some rural land will be needed for urban expansion, there are a number of issues that have to be addressed which will influence the location and direction of that urban expansion.]]