The Better Cities Initiative

01/05/2026

Last week's public forum on planning for Canada Bay was our biggest yet, with hundreds of residents coming together to discuss the impacts of rezoning across Concord, Drummoyne and Rhodes. Concerns centred on the lack of infrastructure, ad hoc approvals, limited community consultation and the loss of more modest housing—replaced by apartments often starting at $2 million! The sentiment of the night was clear: while density is needed, it should not come at the expense of exiling the young, the lower-income and the creative. Sydney needs everyone!

Last week's public forum on planning for Canada Bay was our biggest yet, with hundreds of residents coming together to discuss the impacts of rezoning across Concord, Drummoyne and Rhodes. Concerns centred on the lack of infrastructure, ad hoc approvals, limited community consultation and the loss o

17/04/2026

Canada Bay is experiencing significant development pressure, including TODs, State Significant Developments, and increased density proposals across the LGA. We all need housing, and density must increase — but is there a better way? What can be done? What should be done?

Come have your say at our free public forum next Thursday 23rd April. Together, we’ll explore how residents can play a meaningful role in shaping the future of our neighbourhoods and consider practical, balanced approaches to development. Tickets are free but places are limited — register via the link below.

Canada Bay is under siege from Transport Oriented Development and Low-and-Medium Rise up to nine storeys across most of the LGA. Come, have your say!

16/02/2026

Our CEO Elizabeth Farrelly joins Tim Williams on the Grimshaw Podcast for a feisty and characterful conversation on the forces reshaping Sydney, and why communities must be galvanised to protect opportunity, character and civic life in cities everywhere. Have a listen via the link below.

Listen to REBEL URBANIST from THE GRIMSHAW PODCAST. Journalist, author and activist Elizabeth Farrelly, is the best known urbanist in Australia, with an international reputation. The title of her recent best-selling book, Killing Sydney: the Fight for a City’s Soul, speaks eloquently of her concer...

12/12/2025

It’s been a minute! After June’s Policy Without Politics conference—a highlight of our year—we’ve been hard at work on a major new project. We’ll share more on that in 2026. In the meantime, we’re sharing keynotes and interviews that our founder and CEO, Elizabeth Farrelly, has taken part in throughout the second half of the year. A common thread runs through them all: the power of citizen voices and deliberative democracy to shape a better path forward. Thank you for being part of this conversation. Wishing you a joyful festive season and see you in 2026! — The Better Cities Team

A selection of keynotes and interviews delivered by our founder and CEO, Elizabeth Farrelly.

09/07/2025

Tune in to ABC Radio National’s Big Ideas to hear the panel discussion "The Place for Citizens Assemblies in Australia — where do they best fit?" recorded at last month's Policy Without Politics conference. The conversation with former SA Premier Jay Weatherill, economist Nicholas Gruen, former federal Minister Simon Birmingham, and chair Dr Elizabeth Farrelly from The Better Cities Initiative airs this Thursday at 8 pm, with a repeat on Friday at 12 pm. Or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

05/06/2025

Listen to Jay Weatherill share his thoughts on deliberative democracy in the lead-up to next week’s national conference, “Citizens’ Assemblies – Policy Without Politics,” hosted by Citizens’ Assemblies for South Australia.

29/05/2025

Join leading thinkers and practitioners in Adelaide on June 14 at a national conference on how citizens’ assemblies can inspire new confidence in our democracy. This could transform your idea of what real democracy could be.

Saturday, 14 June
8:30am - 5pm
Woodville Town Hall @ Woodville South, Australia

Register now via the link below!

https://events.humanitix.com/citizen-assemblies-policy-without-politics-national-conference

23/05/2025

An unmissable day of bold ideas, honest conversations, and fresh thinking about the future of democracy.

GUESTS
▪️ Elizabeth Farrelly, director of The Better Cities Initiative
▪️ Nick Gruen, economist and founder of Lateral Economics
▪️ Prof Iain Walker, executive director of the newDemocracy Foundation
▪️Jay Weatherill, former Premier of South Australia
▪️David Van Reybrouck, author of the influential book “Against Elections – the
Case For Democracy”
▪️Emma Fletcher, Co-CEO of democracyCo

EVENT DETAILS
Saturday, 14 June
8:30am - 5pm
Woodville Town Hall @ Woodville South, Australia
Register now!

https://events.humanitix.com/citizen-assemblies-policy-without-politics-national-conference

15/05/2025

On Saturday 14th June CAfSA (Citizen Assemblies for South Australia) is hosting a day of bold ideas, honest conversations, and fresh thinking about the future of democracy. Open to the public, this day-long conference costs only $45 and promises to bring together leading voices from across the country to explore a new way forward—one that puts everyday citizens at the heart of decision-making.

Stay an extra day for the workshop and seminar on deliberative engagement for local government. Expect thought-provoking presentations, dynamic panel sessions, and the chance to engage with ideas that could reshape our political future.

If you're ready to think differently about democracy, this conference is for you. Click the link to learn more.

An invitation to a landmark event on deliberative democracy

31/03/2025

Our recent public forum on the Northern Beaches has the neighbourhood talking. The Tawny Frogmouth published an op-ed on citizens’ assemblies which elicited this response from Seaforth resident Marion Haas. This is what we mean by citizen empowerment and participation!

18/03/2025

Things you are likely to hear at our public forums...

https://www.bettercities.org.au/contact-us-1