Elite Localism and Inequality: Understanding affluent community opposition to rail network expansion within the political economy of Sydney.

Abstract

Sydney is a global city experiencing a surge in the expansion of public transport infrastructure. It is an unequal city, with a greater ratio of inequality between suburbs than any other major city in Australia. This state of inequality has a long history. From its historic origins to the present day, the presence and absence of public transport has served to entrench inequality in the city. Those areas with greater access to employment and education tend to be wealthier than those without, and public transportation is a key provider of accessibility and mobility in the city Residents of some of Sydney’s most affluent areas, have fiercely resisted government attempts to extend rail links into these suburbs. These successful actions have led to serious consequences extending beyond the affluent suburbs in question to the city as a whole. This thesis will seek to investigate, identify and understand the phenomena of affluent local opposition to the expansion of rail networks.