14 February 2023
The National Growth Areas Alliance welcomes the recognition of fast growing outer urban areas in today’s Federal Government announcement of $750 million to local councils for priority local road and community infrastructure projects.
All NGAA Member Councils, fast growing outer urban councils across Australia, have received funding under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King specifically referenced outer urban areas as one of the priority areas to receive funding from an additional $250 million from the Albanese Government, on top of $500 million allocated prior to the May 2022 election. The NGAA applauds this long overdue acknowledgement of outer suburbs, which have specific characteristics and needs that make them distinct from CBDs and regions.
The LRCI Program will realise the benefits of providing funding directly to local governments, who have first-hand knowledge of what their own communities need. As well as roads and transport, community infrastructure such as libraries, community hubs and sports facilities are important parts of new suburbs as new residents connect and establish themselves.
Outer urban growth areas are home to 5.3 million people and are growing nearly three times as fast as the rest of Australia, but vital infrastructure to get people to work, study and home is lagging behind the population boom.
Announcement from NGAA Chair Cr Deeth, Deputy Mayor Wollondilly Shire Council.
Read moreRecently 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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