Infrastructure Australia has today highlighted the need for public transport infrastructure to catch up with five million Australians who choose to live in the fast growing outer suburbs.
We are pleased that Infrastructure Australia’s research and recommendations support our calls for urgent investment in transport infrastructure in the outer suburbs, accompanied by integrated planning process and meaningful collaboration by all levels of Government.
The North-South rail link in Western Sydney, METRONET in Perth and electrification of the Gawler rail in Adelaide are important projects – long overdue. It is time for State and Federal Governments to seriously commit to catching up with established communities in the outer suburbs, and properly plan and resource the new communities that are being built every day.
Nearly 2,600 people will move to the Australia’s outer suburbs this week. That’s 370 people – every day – choosing to live and be part of a community in a newly built suburb. They move there on the understanding that not all services other Australians enjoy will be available immediately.
But the wait is too long – seven years for a bus service, ten years with only one road in and out of a suburb, decades for a train line. The delay is unacceptable for such a large population. It’s time to catch up.
The National Growth Areas Alliance represents 21 Councils on the outskirts of Australia’s capital cities whose residents share the experience of population growth at double the national average with insufficient investment in infrastructure and services.
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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