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Infrastructure in Sydney consists of roads, railways, water supply, drainage, electricity poles and wires, trains and light rails.

The current most important change to infrastructure in Sydney is toll roads which affects every traveller and driver in the city of Sydney and its outer suburbs and significantly impacts on costs of food and consumables for the region. The NSW government has recently provided release in the way of cash back to toll road users.

Transurban, one of the world's largest toll-road operators, has warned the government against radical changes to the road network and has stated that any changes could see drivers paying more.

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Sydney is a multi cultural city. It is bursting at the seams with immigrants and does not have the infrastructure or housing to accommodate current immigration levels.

Impacts on housing, and housing costs have quadrupled in the last 6 years. Typically immigration into the city of Sydney has led to a diversified and vibrant culture, however not without considerable problems to manage Infrastructure and housing

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Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world in which to live. Affordability has lessened over the past decade and left only the most well healed residence remaining. Sydney is the banking capital of the country and is often mistakenly referred to as the capital city of Australia.

It houses state parliament, land registry services, main police headquarters, all major hospitals and exclusive schooling.

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Oh no. Just when we thought the economy was finally, finally, getting back on track.

Only two days after a hopeful report showed our unemployment rate falling, a terrifying new outbreak of COVID-19 has attacked Sydney's peaceful northern beaches with horrendous ferocity, causing a spike in new coronavirus cases and threatening to undermine everything we've worked for.

Such a rapid spread has ruined Christmas for millions. It could also savagely tear at economic wounds from which Australia is just beginning to recover.

A wider outbreak and subsequent lockdown in Sydney would devastate the local economy. And the economic risk of a lockdown in Sydney goes far beyond Sydney. The NSW capital is where Australia's economy has its beating heart. Without Sydney, much of our national momentum is lost. Whether you live in Broome or Bruny Island, Weipa or Whyalla, we need Sydney thriving.

The GDP of Sydney is $461 billion, three times the rest of NSW put together. Sydney is by far the most productive part of Australia. By way of comparison, Melbourne's GDP is $369 billion - substantial to be sure, but Sydney is a clear 25 per cent larger.

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I don't live in Sydney - I live in Melbourne. So I know a bit about what a lockdown does to a local economy. I've seen mates lose their jobs and shops shut down. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, let alone Australia's economic engine room.

As the next graph shows, a viral outbreak and lockdown smash spending in the economy. Victorian spending was far below the rest of the country for months.

RELATED: Virus expert debunks biggest COVID-19 vaccination myth

The impacts of Melbourne's lockdown hit the whole national economy. The same would be true of a Sydney lockdown, only more so. Sydney has the biggest economy not only because it is our biggest city - and it is, with over 5.3 million people - but because that's where our most productive industries are based.

Sydney is home to companies like Qantas, Google and Macquarie Bank, not to mention Australia's biggest company, Commonwealth Bank, and its biggest airport, Sydney Airport. Huge amounts of economic activity flow through Sydney.

Remember Adelaide's brief lockdown in November? That was enough to weigh on Australia's employment figures in that month. When other states were growing their numbers of jobs, South Australia shrank.

A lockdown in Sydney would be even more damaging to our national performance. After all, it's the place where people spend most, as the next chart shows.

RELATED: Has coronavirus made you nervous about travelling? Have your say in our poll

A hard Sydney lockdown would hit the national economy even harder than a Melbourne one. Not only is the city larger, but Sydney households spend more than Melbourne households on two categories that are likely to suffer in a lockdown: transport and recreation.

What's more, the larger size of Sydney compared to Melbourne means JobKeeper will cost the budget even more if a large number of Sydneysiders are put out of work.

But the answer is not to be in denial about the virus, nor is it to do what France did, and wait until it is too late. Sydney must do whatever it takes to beat the virus back. A sharp response is better than a long slow one. Not only for the people of Sydney, but for the whole nation.

Jason Murphy is an economist | @jasemurphy. He is the author of the book Incentivology.

Read related topics: Sydney

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Shocking reality of Sydney's coronavirus outbreak

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Oh no. Just when we thought the economy was finally, finally, getting back on track.

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The city of Sydney surrounds one of the most beautiful deep water harbours in the world. The environment of Sydney has been well managed compared to other major cities with the city having reasonably good air and water quality. It's beaches are some of the most pristine in the world. Sydney has an excellent sewerage system and has a good clean water supply.

The Sydney basin itself has pollution control devices on most of its channels. It has relevantly low air pollution due to the removal of lead from fossil fuels.

The aquatic environment of the harbour is still good for a major city and contains many species of sea creatures both above and below water.

Much of the northern side of the city remains forested with large portions of land remaining national park.

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The sydney city social scene is underpinned by many open air restaurants and major events such as, the Mardi gras, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, circular quay and its ability to host large tourist ships. The next is the iconic Sydney Opera house, the harbour Bridge climb, new years eve fireworks, the Sydney botanical garden, the Sydney city zoo, the upgraded sporting facilities, the maritime museum, the aquarium and these are just a few of the cities attractions.

Any visitor to Australia will always visit Sydney. It is a city well known around the world.

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Lagos, Nigeria's most populated city in Africa, faces persistent challenges in the form of poor infrastructure. It is known for having some of the worst traffic congestion in the world, with commuters spending up to three hours stuck in standstill traffic each day.

Inadequate roads, unreliable power supply, limited sanitation facilities and not enough public transportation inhibits the cities growth and impacts the quality of life for its residents. It also has hindered new housing developments with developers hesitant to invest in areas with poor infrastructure which limits growth of affordable housing supply.

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Nigerian culture is shaped by the countries multiple ethnic groups. The country has over 50 languages and over 250 dialects and ethnic groups.

The city, Lagos, has an energetic and growing art scene. Owambe Parties (parties for various occasions including birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, graduations etc) are common involving large groups of people dancing until morning, buses playing loud music on the streets and artists gather under bridges to showcase galleries of their artwork.

There are events held such as Lagos Street Carnival with hundreds of performers and the One Lagos Fiesta which runs for up to 8 days in several regions of the city at the end of the year. This Fiesta attracts people from all over the world.

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Lagos contributes majorly to the Nigerian Economy, 30% of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

Majority of Nigeria's manufacturing and service industries, such as finance, are based in Lagos.

The unemployment rate in Lagos is lower than the rest of Nigeria, however there are no government benefits available for people without jobs.

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Pollution is a major problem and threat to the environment due to high masses of motor vehicle and industrial polution.

Lagos' air quality is extremely poor and has great impact on peoples health, due to ambient air pollution.

Ambient air pollution is caused by pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxides, Ozone, Air toxics and fine particle matter. These are dangerous as they can pass lung barriers and enter the bloodstream, contributing to mortality and morbility .

The top 3 pollution contributors are road transport, industrial emissions and generators all which can be addressed with the right actions.