On my long weekend in Brisbane and I have the impression that Sydney has a lot to learn from here..

Examples?

Public transport, infrastructure and cleanliness..

Population is a factor in that, including transient population (e.g. tourists and other visitors for work etc.) Sydney has a resident population or more than double Brisbane, and would also get a greater amount of people passing through.

in deliberately oversimplified terms; you cant surf in brisbane. an aussie city without a surf beach is like a watch that doesnt tell the time. (with the exception of darwin yeeeeha)

Alice Springs?

Melbourne doesn't have a surf beach either.

Or Canberra

Do you think? I would have thought some things would be a consequence of the size of the city and others might just be which part you experience in each city. Both have good and bad influenced by size, climate, history, location etc. More a process of matching a city to personal circumstances than anything.

Sydney has a lot to learn fron a lot of places around the world. It is blessed with natural beauty but has been plagued by an under achieving government. It's infrastructure is rubbish, architecture very bland except for the Opera House and the Renzo Piano building, and the list goes on. None the less I do like Sydney

Exactly, I wouldn't come here (Brisbane) to live, but I have the feeling that Brisbane is treated better from the government and it's people. Sydney is cooler though!

Hmmm. Yes, in the past Brisbane has been treated very well from the proceeds of GST collected from NSW.

Sydney has been treated very well from being the centre of the Australian universe....last city that should complain about fair share's Perth is waiting for your refund btw

I never thought I'd hear anyone praising the public transport and infrastructure of Brisbane. It is clean though.

Maybe you haven't seen a peak hour yet.....

PS. I love Brisbane - but not it's public transport or infrastructure.

I tend to agree though I think it is like anywhere it depends where you are and what you use. Obviously some parts of the Brisbane transport system are great - one of the most successful BRT systems in the world and the citycats are great. It also has some dire bits like poor frequency on its rail network and often badly laid out bus services once you get away from the BRT and buz system. You can't really decide on things like this in one weekend so I'm guessing the OP is talking about about a few very specific experiences.