The National Growth Areas Alliance welcomes Infrastructure Australia’s new report, Planning Liveable Cities: A place-based approach to sequencing infrastructure and growth.
More than five million people already live in the fast growing outer suburbs of Australia’s capital cities, and those areas are experiencing population growth at double the national rate.
Our cities and in particular our outer suburbs have grown much faster than any level of government expected or planned for. The need for coordinated, well-planned growth is time-critical and essential to be able to maintain, and continue to build, resilient communities in liveable cities.
Our Alliance of 21 of the fastest growing Councils in Australia’s outer suburbs endorses Infrastructure Australia’s recommendations, in particular better strategic planning at the national, state and local levels which must be underpinned by a transparent three-tiered governance structure.
Fast growing outer suburbs generated 35% of population growth and 25% of job growth between 2011-16 but only received 13% of infrastructure investment. Political misalignments between levels of Government have delayed or obstructed vital infrastructure investment in growth areas.
The impact of insufficient planning and inadequate infrastructure investment on the everyday lives of five million people in fast growing outer suburbs must not be underestimated. We call upon the Federal and State Governments to work with local government to implement the findings of this report.
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.
Read moreAt 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.
Read moreIn 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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