Strata Schemes of Sydney City Futures Research Centre

Strata Schemes of Sydney:
1961 to

Just over 50 years ago a new type of property ownership was introduced in Australia. In 1961 the Conveyancing (Strata Titles) Act was introduced in NSW. This act created a legal mechanism for the vertical subdivision of multi-unit housing.

This map shows the historical progression of strata schemes as they were registered across Sydney, and provides a unique snapshot of the development of higher density Sydney. Initially concentrated in a few small pockets on the North Shore and Eastern Suburbs, strata developments have now become an important feature of the housing landscape in all parts of Sydney.

Number residential and mixed use schemes

As at 31 December 2015, there were 70,591 residential strata schemes in NSW, of which 46,209 (65.5%) were in the Greater Sydney Statistical Area. Within the Greater Sydney area, the highest numbers of residential strata schemes were in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Sutherland (3,025), Gosford (2,591), Randwick (2,586) and North Sydney (2,338). There were also large numbers of residential schemes outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area, especially in Wollongong (2,352) and Tweed (2,236).

Number of residential and mixed use lots

As at 31 December 2015, there were 710,885 residential strata lots in NSW, of which 587,830 (82.7%) were in the Greater Sydney area. Within the Greater Sydney area, the highest numbers of residential strata lots were in the LGAs of Sydney (73,486), North Sydney (31,098) and Parramatta (30,302). The highest mean number of lots per scheme was in Sydney LGA, followed by Willoughby, Strathfield, Lane Cove and Canada Bay LGAs. Outside of the Sydney metropolitan area, Wollongong LGA had the highest number of residential strata lots in NSW (16,303), followed by Newcastle (12,373) and Tweed (12,068).

Percentage of schemes of 50 lots or more

As at 31 December 2015, within the Greater Sydney area, Sydney LGA had the highest concentration (25.8%) of schemes with 50 lots or more, followed by Canada Bay (9.1%) and Lane Cove (8.5%) LGAs. Outside of the Greater Sydney area, Goulburn Mulwaree had the highest concentration of large residential strata schemes in NSW (2.3%).

Schemes registered in 2014 and 2015

Over the calendar years of 2014 and 2015 Sutherland (121 schemes) had the largest number of scheme registrations, followed by Parramatta (89) and Penrith (86). Sydney (4,951) had the largest number of strata lots registered followed by Ryde (2,508) and Parramatta (2,425). Outside of Sydney Newcastle had the largest number of scheme (93) and lot (786) registrations.

Lots registered in 2014 and 2015

Over the calendar years of 2014 and 2015 Sutherland (121 schemes) had the largest number of scheme registrations, followed by Parramatta (89) and Penrith (86). Sydney (4,951) had the largest number of strata lots registered followed by Ryde (2,508) and Parramatta (2,425). Outside of Sydney Newcastle had the largest number of scheme (93) and lot (786) registrations.

These maps can be found in the 2015 Strata Data Report.

City Futures Research Centre undertakes a range of research on strata schemes and the compact city. Please visit the City Shaping research program for more information.

Acknowledgments

Strata data based on information provided under licence from NSW Land and Property Information (a Division of the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation).

Map created by Laurence Troy.