Council is reviewing its Willoughby City Strategy. The strategy, adopted by Council in 2006, is a long term vision and plan for the future of the city. The existing Willoughby City Strategy can be accessed from Council's website or from the document library to the right.
It is essential that Willoughby’s community has an opportunity to provide ideas to guide the future direction of the city. You are therefore invited to join our on-line discussion below.
The current strategy identifies 5 key themes: Community and Cultural Life, Natural Environment, Our Homes, Access and Infrastructure, Economic Activity, Creativity and Learning.

1. Community and Cultural Life
The people of Willoughby have a strong sense of “belonging”. Support networks and community spirit are of high value as are opportunities to enjoy neighbourhood community events. Providing a successful mix of community facilities and services poses many challenges. Council needs to continue to aim for high quality service delivery that addresses the needs of a diverse community. Opens spaces, recreation and healthy lifestyles need to be supported and promoted in order to maintain community wellbeing.

2. Natural Environment
Willoughby has a wealth of foreshore and bushland with a thriving ecosystem. Willoughby’s open space needs to meet recreational and leisure demands as well as to protect and sustain the natural environment. As the population increases so too will demand for open space and facilities however available land is limited. In partnership with the community Council will work to protect and maintain the natural environment while working towards a sustainable future.

3. Our Homes
Willoughby has a diverse housing mix ranging from high rise apartment living in the Chatswood CBD to medium and lower density housing in the surrounding suburbs. As Sydney’s population grows the high cost of urban sprawl will place pressures on the Willoughby area. Challenges include, meeting the demand for housing, protecting local residential amenity, valuing built heritage, building sustainability and satisfying the housing needs of all life cycle stages. Diversity and choice is required in order to satisfy different lifestyle choices and special needs.

4. Access and Infrastructure
Willoughby is home to several major transport and infrastructure projects. Chatswood and St Leonard’s are large transport hubs. Continued increase in car use poses a problem however some areas are not as easily accessible by public transport as others. The challenge is to manage the transport needs of the community so that the type of transport is appropriate and sustainable and where possible increase public transport use, walking and cycling.

5. Economic Activity, Creativity and Learning
Chatswood’s CBD has grown to become one of the most successful retail centres in Australia. Local business districts also play a vital role in Willoughby’s economic development. In addition, Willoughby is home to major industrial areas such as those found in Artarmon and East Chatswood. Willoughby residents are highly qualified and value the opportunity to access quality education. Council aims to support opportunities for life long learning and creativity.