I've lived in Sydney some thirty years. But I feel that the city I love is under genuine threat. Motorways, Mirrorglass, McMansions: this knock-down-rebuild mentality is everywhere. I get hundreds of emails, all the time, from people who are infuriated, or despairing, over what is happening to Sydney.
And so, for the first time, I found myself making a secret little vow to the city - I will do what I can to protect you.
For architect and writer Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney was love at first sight. She has called the city home ever since. Moreover, as both city councillor and writer she has influenced and reported the shape of the city for over thirty years.
Here, in her signature sharp, erudite and conversational style, she imparts a message that is part-lovesong, part-warning about the home city she adores, covering the history of Sydney's soaring civic buildings and unique public spaces, its present reality of housing crisis and near-continual development - including the human and urban impact of ongoing projects WestConnex, NorthConnex and the F6 Extension, the Powerhouse relocation, the Packer casino, the light rail relocation, the sale of heritage buildings like the Sirius for private apartments, and Darling Harbour - and laying down the gauntlet for its protection as a green, beautiful, affordable and accessible heritage city.
