2012

Australia has the largest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the world. According to Sydney officials in 2007, greenhouse emissions were expected to rise 40 percent by the year 2030. A lack of housing, traffic gridlock, and increasing waste and pollution are some of the factors contributing to greenhouse gas emissions in Sydney. Currently, air pollution contributes to an estimated 600 to 1,400 deaths a year in Sydney. With the increase in traffic, the death toll from air pollution is anticipated to rise to 2,380 a year by the year 2030. Approximately 70 percent of all city trips are made by car. And situation is expected to get even worse; car use is anticipated to double by the year 2030, resulting in more traffic congestion. Public transportation could alleviate some of the traffic congestion; however, it has a reputation of being unreliable. The result is that just four percent of city travel being made by rail.

CityRail operates as the main interurban network in Sydney. Most of the CityRail's double-decker trains obtain power from an electrified overhead wire. Decreased greenhouse emissions would be the outcome if more people used the rail system instead of motor vehicles however poor reliability and high fares have resulted in fewer riders. CityRail is currently undergoing restructuring, which is expected to increase the rail system's efficiency and decrease fares. In addition, a more streamlined ticketing process will be introduced to make the rail system more attractive to riders.

While changes in public transportation being implemented by CityRail may result in increased public transportation use, currently Sydney is plagued with air pollution due to vehicle emissions. Increased public transportation use and pedestrian zone are two solutions to help alleviate traffic congestion. Pitt Street Mall and Martin Place are two pedestrian-only zones centrally located in Sydney. The successful implementation of these pedestrian zones involves the availability of affordable housing so that commuters are within walking distance of their destination. Unfortunately, the lack of affordable housing is making implementing pedestrian-only zones not feasible in most areas and does little to solve Sydney's greenhouse gas emission problems. For the moment, Sydney appears to be losing the battle to become more green.

Investing in real estate can be a significant and successful financial move. For those looking for investment opportunities in Sydney, Australia an area where property prices are continually on the increase, it is good to know where to buy. This is especially true when the property prices have peaked.

Of course, the first step is to look for bargains. This may include properties that need  to be repaired or totally renovated, but will, in the end, sell for more than the total amount of money invested.

There are two suburbs in Sydney, Pyrmont and Balmain, that are very popular although expensive and are pleasant places to live. These suburbs are also popular areas for the furnished rental market. That is if letting property is part of your investment strategy. If letting is what you wish to do, there is the decision of whether to invest in houses or units. Some experts state that units can maximize income. Sydney house prices do not seem to be slowing down any time soon.

Results of the September 2010 International Visitor Survey show a 9% increase in international visitors to North South Wales compared to the same quarter in 2009. An increase of 8% occured in Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) segment in Sydney. Both these increases were largely due to holiday and business segments.

Recently,Oprah Winfrey generated a renewed interest in Sydney, much like the spike in interest before and during the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. The warmth and friendliness of the Australian people was spotlighted by Ms. Winfrey's crew, plus the myriad amenities and their support staff was well documented, too.

The Australian tourism industry implemented a customer service program aimed at tourism and hospitality businesses, in the early 1990s. Since its introduction by the Inbound Tourism Organisation of Australia (ITOA), over 30,000 businesses (200,000 individuals) have used this customer service training program. The program teaches customer service personnel how to build relationships with customers to add value and increase profitability. This knowledge and its implementation builds the confidence of the individual, too, helping them see themselves as a contributor to the common good of their business and their community.

According to the Australia Industry and Investment annual report (2009) Sydney and New South Wales are highly valued for tourism and investment. The outcome of this recognition was threefold.

1. Key markets and investors made aware of Sydney and NSW attributes.
2. Tourism visitor nights and expenditures increased.
3. Destinations (vendors and entities) improved competitiveness and built resilience.

Sydney city brand ranks among the top five in the world, along with London, New York City, Paris, and Rome. City brand ranks are based upon a comparison of a city's assets and attractions against the strength of their brands. The concentration of brands in a city is an indicator of the level of customer service-and in Sydney is world-class rated.

Anyone who lives in Sydney, New South Wales can appreciate the beauty and breadth of the state. However, getting around is incredibly difficult, with traffic increasing leaps and bounds while public transportation options lag behind. Cars are increasing the already polluted air, which harms the populace's health and the environment around us. Not only that, but this increased traffic makes getting from place to place harder and longer than ever.

Real solutions are needed to alleviate the traffic problems in Sydney, and the current government is not stepping up to the plate. We need more public transportation to act as a clean and safe alternative, as our crowded roads won't just clear up on their own. Buses and trains have been shown to be a viable option for clearing up congested highways and can end up paying for themselves with on board advertising and fares.

I can't be the only one who sees that the NSW government here in Australia is falling behind on the public transportation front, especially with oil consumption reaching an all-time high. If we want our commutes shortened, our roads clearer, and our air breathable again we're going to need to put pressure on our government to give us the public transportation we need and deserve. So I must ask you, who else wants better public transport in Sydney?

The British first began to colonise Australia in the 18th century. Although a 20 hour flight separates the U.K. from Sydney today, the two countries still share many similarities. Perhaps this is the reason so many in the United Kingdom visit Australia every year. Visiting a distant land with a similar culture, language, and even foods provides the thrill of travelling balanced with the comfortable security of the familiar.

In fact, nearly 700,000 U.K. residents visit Australia annually, making the country one of their more popular holiday destinations. If you are among them and planning a trip to Australia, you will want to research your options in order to get the most out of your travel budget and spend your time wisely. One of the best ways to do this is to read travel review sites.

Travel review sites can help you explore your options fully and compare prices. Review sites are essentially free forums in which people post hotel reviews for cities across the world. When you are reading review sites, there are some things you should know. A good quality review site should provide you with access to reviews for the most popular hotels and resorts anywhere.

They should have a variety of reviews for different venues, such as restaurants or entertainment options. Some might even offer special sections with destinations and must-see locations with suggestions specifically for tourists. For example, if you’re in search of Darwin hotel accommodation, a top review site should be able to guide you to the best accommodations, restaurants, and tourist attractions in Darwin.

Reviews that are excessively glowing or that have no suggestions for improvement should be looked upon skeptically. Some unethical employees or owners are willing to plant reviews to sway potential guests their way.

Happy New Year to everyone. Hoping for another productive year for Furnished Properties Pty Ltd.