From monorail to metro

Sydney is one of the world's most recognisable cities. But could its famous harbour, beaches and landmarks be obscuring a much bigger story?

Jeremy Gill, Head of Policy at the Committee for Sydney, joins Benjamin Wilson on Visionary to explore how Australia's largest city can redefine its international reputation — moving beyond its image as a tourist destination to establish itself as a global centre for business, technology, culture and innovation.

From the extraordinary legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympics to the transformation brought about by new metro lines and light rail, Gill examines how infrastructure is reshaping the city. He also revisits one of Sydney's more curious transport experiments: the much-maligned monorail, and why a futuristic vision of urban travel ultimately failed to win over Sydneysiders.

The conversation explores Sydney's remarkable multiculturalism, its thriving food and creative industries, and the growing importance of film production, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and innovation districts in attracting international investment.

But as cities around the world compete for talent, capital and influence, is Sydney doing enough to communicate its strengths? And what will it take for a city celebrated for its natural beauty to become equally famous for its ideas?

Visionary meets the entrepreneurs, thinkers and creative minds shaping what comes next. Presented by Here East, London's home of innovation and creativity.

Listen now via your preferred podcast app, or watch a clip here.