A place-based civic wellbeing framework for Greater Western Sydney

The Fair Share Framework is GWSAN’s place-based civic wellbeing framework for Greater Western Sydney.

It explores whether communities are receiving fair access to:

• housing

• transport

• healthy environments

• opportunity

• civic participation

The framework has been developed to support more connected, preventative and place-based conversations about growth, infrastructure, planning and long-term wellbeing across Greater Western Sydney.

Rather than treating issues in isolation, the framework recognises that housing, transport, health, environment, participation and opportunity are deeply interconnected.

The Fair Share Framework helps connect:

• lived experience

• research

• civic participation

• planning and policy

• systems thinking

• community wellbeing

to support healthier, fairer and more connected communities across the region.

Why the Framework Was Created 

Greater Western Sydney is one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most diverse regions.

As communities continue to grow, many residents are experiencing increasing pressure from:

• housing affordability challenges

• infrastructure lag

• long commute burdens

• urban heat

• unequal access to opportunity

• declining trust in planning systems

• barriers to civic participation

At the same time, many people feel that planning, infrastructure and investment decisions are often discussed in disconnected ways.

For example:

• housing may be discussed separately from transport

• transport separately from health

• growth separately from wellbeing

• participation separately from planning

The Fair Share Framework was developed to support a more integrated and community-centred approach.

It asks a simple question:

Are communities across Greater Western Sydney receiving a fair share of the investment, opportunity, participation and wellbeing needed to support long-term thriving communities?

What Does “Fair Share” Mean? 

The Fair Share Framework is not based on the idea that every community should receive identical outcomes or investment.

Instead, the framework explores whether communities have fair access to the conditions that support long-term wellbeing.

This includes fair access to:

• housing

• transport

• healthy environments

• participation

• opportunity

• infrastructure

• local services

• civic voice

The framework also recognises that different communities experience different pressures, barriers and vulnerabilities.

A fair share approach therefore considers:

• population growth

• infrastructure need

• access to opportunity

• environmental conditions

• social connection

• long-term wellbeing outcomes

across Greater Western Sydney.

Why Place Matters 

The Fair Share Framework uses a place-based approach.

This means recognising that where people live shapes:

• health

• access to opportunity

• participation

• mobility

• social connection

• wellbeing

• everyday experience

Rather than treating issues separately, the framework explores the relationship between:

• housing

• transport

• health

• infrastructure

• environment

• participation

• public space

• local identity

This approach is informed by:

• place-based planning

• systems thinking

• movement and place concepts

• healthy community frameworks

• civic participation approaches

• spatial justice perspectives

Wellbeing Beyond Economics 

The framework recognises that wellbeing involves more than economic growth alone.

Long-term community wellbeing is also shaped by:

• access to affordable housing

• walkability

• healthy environments

• local opportunity

• social connection

• participation

• trust

• time

• belonging

• public space

• environmental resilience

The framework encourages preventative and long-term thinking about how planning and public investment decisions affect everyday life.

The Four Fair Share Tests 

The framework also includes four guiding questions that help explore regional equity and long-term wellbeing outcomes.

Population Test

Is investment keeping pace with population growth?

Need Test

Are resources reaching communities experiencing the greatest pressure or disadvantage?

Access Test

Can people realistically access housing, services and opportunity?

Prevention Test

Are systems helping reduce long-term pressures before crisis occurs?

How the Framework Can Be Used 

The Fair Share Framework may be used to support:

• civic participation

• planning literacy

• public engagement

• community discussions

• policy conversations

• advocacy initiatives

• educational projects

• systems-thinking approaches

• place-based collaboration

The framework is intended to evolve over time through:

• research

• lived experience

• interdisciplinary learning

• public participation

• collaboration

Related Resources & Learning

Explore Related Projects

• Civic Literacy Series

• Advocacy in Action

• Policy & Submissions

• Better Planning White Paper

• Equity Diaries

• Research & Insights

Explore Learning Resources

• What Is Walkability?

• What Is Place-Based Planning?

• What Is Civic Participation?

• Why Infrastructure Must Keep Pace With Growth

• What Makes a Healthy Community?

Future Directions 

Over time, the Fair Share Framework may support:

• indicator and scorecard development

• educational tools

• civic participation initiatives

• planning literacy resources

• public discussion papers

• place-based pilot projects

• collaborative research projects

• community storytelling initiatives

The framework is intended to continue evolving through collaboration, participation and shared learning across Greater Western Sydney.