News

Top 5 for Growth Areas in 2019

  1. Population Planning: January release of “Planning for Australia’s Future Population", a COAG discussion in August and the establishment of the Centre for Population in October.
  2. 2019-20 Federal Budget: wins for our Members including commitments to improve growth area infrastructure and an expanded Urban Congestion Fund focused on outer suburbs.
  3. May election outcomes: boosted Urban Congestion Fund allocations and two new City Deals in Melbourne.
  4. Infrastructure Australia: The 2019 Audit included community and social infrastructure for the first time which will help growth area councils make their case for better investment in these facilities.
  5. Nearly 150,000 people moved to or were born in an outer urban growth area this year, living in around 60,000 new houses.

 

Top 5 for NGAA in 2019

  1. Catch Up and National Nightmare Commute Day campaigns for the Federal Election, with outcomes including $740 million in transport funding to growth areas nationally, two City Deals in Melbourne and the phrase “catch up with the outer suburbs” becoming part of the discourse of both major parties.
  2. Launch of our Research Strategy, Research and Practice Reference Group and Research Hub, Research Partnerships were developed and we held our inaugural Symposium. More research details here.
  3. Significant governance changes including the new Strategic Advisory Committee (and a successful National Congress in Perth focussing on placemaking.
  4. A well-attended Parliamentary Friends for Better Cities presentation on NGAA Member’s research and innovation. The group is supported by the most influential national peak bodies working in Australian cities.
  5. Raising the profile of growth areas and influencing policy through Ministerial meetings, Ministerial Cities Reference Group, Infrastructure Australia briefings, conference presentations and national media appearances.
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The Case for a Unified Urban Policy: Insights from Bronwen Clark at UDIA WA

04 . 09 . 2024

Recently our CEO, Bronwen Clark, was invited to speak at the Urban Development Institute of Australia Western Australia (UDIA WA) event in Perth. Themed A Shared Vision for Urban Growth in our Cities: Understanding the Draft National Urban Policy and What It Means for Perth, this event brought together 200 WA town planners and developers from the private and public sectors.

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2024 Victorian Housing Forum

05 . 08 . 2024

At today’s Victorian Housing Forum, Premier Jacinta Allen, Treasurer Tim Pallas and industry representatives discussed the pressing issues facing Victoria’s housing market. Over the past 30 years, the median house price in Melbourne has surged from 3.5 times the average income to 7 times, highlighting a critical need for policy intervention. Homelessness continues to be a stark indicator of policy gaps that require immediate attention. 

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Funding for Improved Public and Active Transport Needs to be Prioritised

24 . 07 . 2024

In light of the Climate Council’s recent report, ‘Next Stop Suburbia: Making Shared Transport Work for Everyone in Aussie Cities’, it is clear we need to address the growing demand for improved public and active transport in Australia’s fastest-growing outer cities and suburbs. The daily struggle of residents in these areas is a stark reminder that funding for public and active transport must be prioritised to ensure sustainable growth and improved quality of life.

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Advocacy Victory: New National Policy to Improve Mobile Coverage in Housing Growth Areas

15 . 07 . 2024

Our submission on the Telecommunications in New Developments (TiND) policy has successfully informed national principles that will improve mobile connectivity in new developments and growth areas. 

Developed by the Mobile Telecommunications Working Group established by the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, the principles will ensure larger telecommunications infrastructure is included in the planning process for new developments and growth areas.  

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