Background on Sydney......

Hello everyone, it’s just me, Michael DiGregori along with my buddies Matt Clademenos and Salvatore Galifi and we’re here to inform you all about life in Sydney Australia. Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and is located on Australia’s south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. The size of the city is 2,144.6 square kilometers. The population of Sydney is 4,575,532 and the population density is 2058 people per square kilometre. Here in Sydney, we often refer to each other as Sydneysiders. The temperature here in Sydney is temperate with warm summers and mild winters. We also receive rainfall spread throughout the year. Because of our position on the earth our summers and winters are opposite to that of North America. Our hottest month is January, while our coldest is July, however our temperatures rarely go below 5 degrees Celsius or above 34 degrees.

Me and my friends live in the urbanized central area of Sydney, however Sydney has both urban and suburban areas around the harbor. Over 3.5 million people live in Sydneys urban centre which is set around 70 harbor and ocean beaches, including the famous Bondi beach.  Sydney’s suburban areas are mostly around the North Shore because it is hard to develop due to its hilly topography and lack of access across the harbor.

Sydney's Sights

 Life in Sydney is never boring, as the city is full of wonderful attractions and popular sites known around the world. Sydney is home to two of Australia’s most recognizable icons- the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. My friends and I especially like to visit the Opera House with new shows and entertainment all the time. Bondi Beach is also one of the most popular attractions in city and one of our favorite weekend destinations. Sydney is also home to one of the coolest zoos , Toronga Zoo which features many of the coolest exotic animals the world has to offer. But of course, everyone loves beaches, and Sydney has plenty to offer, including our favorite, Bondi Beach, as well as Palm Beach, and Shark Island. Sydney definitely has some of the most beautiful beaches and clear water in the world.

Things to do in Sydney

There is plenty of tourist attractions and things to do for us locals here in Sydney. The central business district (CBD) offers world-class theatres, great shopping, museums, art galleries and restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world. Within easy reach of Sydney’s CBD are sandy beaches, national parks, and suburbs with their own unique identities. With its rich variety of bush land, rainforest, green spaces and coastal spots, Sydney is the ultimate outdoor playground for locals such as myself. With so many beaches and bays close to Sydney’s city centre, it’s no wonder that I choose to enjoy a summer holiday at home. With all the surfing, kayaking, scuba diving and beachside dining a day at the beach is never a dull one. A shopaholic like me never gets bored here as Sydney is consistently ranked among one of the top fashion centers in the world. Sports are also an important part of our culture, as we can’t enough of our rugby, cricket and soccer. When the work day is over and you need to wind down, Sydney bars and night clubs have everything you need to have a good time. When it comes to nightlife, there are plenty of things to do in Sydney!

Some issues we face in Sydney

               Like any other major city, Sydney must deal with everyday issues posing concerns for myself and citizens alike. For example, everyday issues our government has to deal with include: the environment, transportation, and deciding whether to build a second airport. The first issue for Sydney is the pollution. Due to the numerous vehicles and infrastructure releasing chemicals into the atmosphere, it is no doubt that our environment is highly contaminated. As a result the government is taking action through the 2030 Sydney sustainability plan. Through innovation and new partnerships, Sydney is making its own operations more sustainable and supporting residents and businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Another issue that I have to deal with from day to day is the transportation. I think that Sydney needs an integrated public transport network to drive a sustainable, live able and viable future especially during this time of climate change, and the growing demand for transport resources and reduced oil reserves. Lastly, I feel that the decision whether to build a second airport in Sydney is another major issue that must be dealt with. It’s estimated to cost between $6 and $8 billion and governments of the past 30 years have not pursued the issue beyond preliminary investigations. Over the last 20 years domestic flights through Sydney more than doubled to nearly 27 million and international passengers increased from 8 million to 15 million in the same period. Personally, I believe that a second airport would boost the economy and allow much more tourists to visit this great city.