The Sydney Table

The Sydney Table | Episode 4: Is Sydney the mostexpensive city in the world to develop?

In this episode of The Sydney Table, Christopher BrownAM is joined by Mike Zorbas, CEO of the Property Council of Australia, and Tim Sneesby, urban economist, town planner and manager of strategic planning at Waverley Council, for a candid conversation about why it costs so much to buildin Sydney.

Chris, Mike and Tim discuss the barriers to housingsupply, including the pressures on feasibility, such as labour, materials and finance to land, and ask which of those costs can realistically be shifted.

They debate whether Sydney is over-regulated, fromminimum apartment sizes to design guidelines, and whether the "NIMBY" label tells the full story of community attitudes to growth.

Producer: Tara Moroney

The Sydney Table | Episode 3: Vibrancy or Virtue? Pokies, Pubs and Sydney’s Night-Time Economy

In this episode of The Sydney Table, Christopher Brown AM sits down with Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne and former NSW Minister David Elliott for a no-holds-barred conversation about the city after dark and its long, complicated love affair with the pokies.

Sydney's global reputation is on the line, branded by many as a city that shuts down too early and plays it too safe. Chris, Darcy and David unpack the tension at the heart of the debate: how do you build a thriving night-time economy without losing sight of the social cost?

They look at the fallout of the controversial Lockout Laws, which pushed business out of the CBD and into the suburbs, to the NSW Government's new Vibrancy Reforms, the push to curb poker machine addiction, and how Sydney became one of the leading poker machine capitals in the world.

Producer: Tara Moroney

The Sydney Table | Episode 2: AI & Data Centres: Friend or Foe?

In this episode of The Sydney Table, Christopher Brown AM is joined by Belinda Dennett, CEO of Data Centres Australia, and Peter Lewis, host of Burning Platforms, for a frank conversation about the technology reshaping our city.

As artificial intelligence surges, so too does demand for the data centres that power it. Chris, Belinda and Peter explore how Sydney can harness this growth to drive investment, while confronting the harder questions around social licence, energy demand and water supply.

They examine why public sentiment remains wary, weigh the pros and cons of AI, dig into the politics shaping the sector, and consider what the American experience can teach Australia.

Producer: Tara Moroney

The Sydney Table | Episode 1: Bondi to Pondi – Sydney's East-West Story

In the inaugural episode of The Sydney Table, Christopher Brown AM is joined by UDIA Boss and former Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayers and Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney Jess Miller for a candid conversation about Sydney's east-west divide.

Together, they explore what connects, divides and shapes The Emerald City's identity, examining both the contrasts and common ground between Sydney's east and west.

Chris, Stuart and Jess reflect on their personal connections to Sydney and discuss some of the key challenges facing the city today, including political disengagement, the rise of populist movements, the housing crisis, and the opportunities that lie ahead. The conversation also delves into their hopes and ambitions for Sydney's future, and what it will take to build a more connected and inclusive city.

Producer: Tara Moroney

Sydney has no shortage of opinions and opinionated leaders. What it lacks is honest, informed and respectful conversation between people who have the power to change things. 

The Sydney Table brings the ideas, debates and provocations to you. Hosted by Christopher Brown AM, each episode takes on the news and issues our city can't afford to ignore and hosts the conversations it needs to have.  

See you at The Table.