On the surface, the bawdy beginnings of Sydney in The Rocks have little in common with the estates being built on Sydney's south-western outskirts.
The Rocks sprung from necessity, unplanned and unruly as convicts started to settle the area through what University of Sydney historian Richard Waterhouse calls "naked possession".
Our newest suburbs, such as Jordan Springs and The Ponds, on the other hand, are meticulously planned about five years before the first block of land is sold.
But Dr Waterhouse said the suburbs in both eras were joined by what they represent: "the aspiration of all classes"."The Rocks was formed by convicts and ex-convicts; they made shelters their homes and then they built houses," Dr Waterhouse said.
"It was a pre-industrial society, people lived in small houses, they shared rooms, and there was no separation between home and work."
There are now just 486 residential ratepayers in The Rocks, according to data collected by the City of Sydney.
In The Ponds, one of Sydney's newest suburbs near Quakers Hill, there are almost 2500 residents. When it is complete, it will house between 8000 and 9000 people.
Living in The Rocks: Ron Jennings
Ron Jennings, 81, came upon The Rocks by accident 45 years ago.
He said he will treasure that day for the rest of his life.
Mr Jennings was forced to move from Adelaide because of a serious respiratory condition. His doctor said he would do better in another climate.
"I was wandering around Circular Quay and bumped into an old friend, Bill Anderson. He was such a huge man, you couldn't miss him," Mr Jennings said.
"He said: 'What the hell are you doing here? Where are you going to live?' I said I didn't know, and he invited me to live with him in the old Sailor's Home, where he was caretaker."
Since then he has only ever lived in The Rocks and Millers Point.
The Green Bans of 1973, during which local residents successfully opposed the redevelopment of the area, made Mr Jennings aware that The Rocks was under threat.
During the huge demonstrations, he was living in the Sailor's Home.
"It was very, very scary. Friends of mine, for the right reasons, were up trees and were charged. It should never have happened. All this redevelopment has destroyed The Rocks as a suburb," he said.
"It was bad enough that I lived next to the morgue and the Coroner's Court."
He still worries about the future of The Rocks, and laments the changes it has gone through.
"It was totally different. You were spoiled as a resident in the area. You had supermarkets everywhere. Now, it is more for tourists.
"Redevelopment has destroyed The Rocks as a suburb, and taken away the family lifestyle here."
But Mr Jennings does not want to move. He dedicates himself to volunteer work in the area, and still considers himself "incredibly lucky" for the life he has had in a suburb he loves dearly.
New lands: the Jelacic Family
When nine-year-old Leah Jelacic started at her local school, only 45 children were enrolled. Now there are more than 400.
Nicole and Glen Jelacic moved to The Ponds seven months ago with Leah, Emma, 7, and Tim, 5.
"The planning of this town is superb," Mr Jelacic said.
"We can pretty much walk anywhere we want. The kids can ride their bikes without having to cross a road," Mrs Jelacic added.
They moved to The Ponds because of the open space, big houses and because "it's just a beautiful suburb".
"This place was built understanding how the community wanted to live," Mr Jelacic said.
Spokesman for property developer Landcom, Robert Sullivan, said buyers in The Ponds were drawn to the suburb because of the community.
"Most people get to know their neighbours from the day they purchase land," Mr Sullivan said.
"By and large new communities are designed to generate community interaction."
As more families move in, the Jelacics don't see this changing.
"The dynamic changes a bit, but you still know a lot of people," Mr Jelacic said.
The only thing they said they would change was to have better public transport.
NEWEST SUBURBS:
Elizabeth Hills - December 2009 – Liverpool Council area.
Len Waters Estate – December 2009 – Liverpool Council area.
Bardia – December 2009 – Campbelltown Council area.
Kurraba Point – June 2010 – North Sydney Council area.
Greenhills Beach – July 2011 – Sutherland Shire Council area.
Bungarribee – July 2011 – Blacktown Council area.
Jordan Springs – August 2011 – Penrith Council area.
