Lucy Turnbull on lessons in leadership, legacy and liveable cities

Urbanist, business leader and former Lord Mayor of Sydney, Lucy Turnbull joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about power, public life, and why good cities don’t just happen, they’re built with care and with community at their core.

Lucy reflects on her early fascination with urban environments, the lessons from her childhood in Potts Point, and how a sense of purpose, has guided her through decades of leadership across government, planning, business and philanthropy. From growing up in a legal dynasty to building her own legacy in city-making, Lucy opens up about partnership, privilege, and staying grounded when the spotlight is on.

She also talks about Sydney’s housing crisis, the hard truths behind affordability, and the bold planning reforms she believes are needed to make Australian cities liveable for future generations.

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Episode Running Order

• Childhood memories, place and perception (02:15)
• From elite schools to legal studies and marriage at 21 (06:50)
• Studying law at Sydney, switching gears with an MBA (11:00)
• Life and partnership with Malcolm Turnbull (15:30)
• Finding purpose through city-making and public service (20:45)
• First steps into politics and becoming Lord Mayor (25:00)
• Council leadership during Sydney’s transformation (30:15)
• Reflecting on 9/11 and civic leadership in crisis (35:10)
• Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission (39:00)
• The housing affordability crisis: causes and cures (43:00)
• Radical ideas, TODs, and rethinking city planning (48:20)
• Growing up in a political and legal dynasty (54:00)
• Maintaining humility, purpose and empathy (57:15)
• Quickfire questions: myth, guilty pleasure, advice (1:02:00)

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