The topics in this theme cover issues that arise in ensuring a clean and healthy environment for the community of NSW and to enhance its living conditions and lifestyle.

Human Settlement overview

For an overview of this theme, including Aboriginal perspectives click on the heading.

To read more, go to topic .
Energy Topic (Electricity meter) icon

Energy Consumption

Energy consumption decreased by 2% from 1,169 to 1,142 petajoules (PJ) between 2010 and 2019 and per capita consumption decreased by 3.2% between 2017–19.

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Household energy consumption infographic icon

Energy consumption decreased by

2%

in NSW and the ACT between 2010 and 2019

Transport Topic (Train) icon

Transport

The demand for transport has increased as the population grows.

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Bus infographic icon

COVID-19 saw public transport patronage in Greater Sydney drop by

41.6%

in 2020–21, compared to 2018–19 levels

Tap with a water drip infographic icon

Urban Water Supply

Climate change and more intense droughts are increasing risks to the water security of NSW cities and towns.

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Dam water levels low infographic icon

Water supply

~50

NSW town and city water supplies at risk of failure in 2019–20 due to drought

Waste and Recycling

Since 2015–16, the total amount of waste generated increased by 17% and construction and demolition (C&D) waste accounts for the most waste generated.

To read more, go to topic .
Person disposing of waste in bin infographic icon

Litter volume

43%

decrease against the 2013–14 benchmark

Contaminated Sites

Between 2018–20, the number of notified and regulated contaminated sites steadily increased. This was matched by an increase in the number of remediated sites.

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Inspector monitoring data and compliance infographic icon

Regulated sites

36

The EPA declared 36 new sites as significantly contaminated from 2018–20