Perth Liveability Decline Linked to Infrastructure Gap

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Perth Liveability Decline Linked to Infrastructure GapA decline in Perth’s liveability ranking has exposed problems in the way urban infrastructure like public transport is coordinated, according to the Property Council of Australia’s analysis of its latest liveability survey.The Property Council today released the latest results from My City: The People’s Verdict – a national poll that tests views on the liveability of our cities.The survey, now in its fourth year, surveyed 5,400 people across 10 cities, asking them to rate their city on the issues that matter to them and the results show a change in the liveability scores of many of our top cities.Auspoll tested the views of 626 Perth residents – benchmarking its performance on 17 attributes that define good cities.Perth was ranked the ninth most liveable city. Canberra took top place, with Darwin coming in last, in the survey of 10 cities. Four years ago, Perth was ranked fourth most liveable city in the survey.The factors that contributed the most to Perth’s low liveability score in the latest survey were traffic congestion, housing affordability and cost of living, safety and cultural entertainment.Perth continues to rate high for having a good climate, a wide range of recreational outdoor activities and an attractive natural environment.The survey also found that Perth slipped from second to third ranking as a city residents believe has good employment and economic opportunities.”This is the people’s verdict on their own city – a report card for governments on how liveable our cities are” said Property Council of Australia Executive Director Joe Lenzo.”Most of the factors contributing to Perth’s declining liveability rating would be addressed by the State government coordinating its public infrastructure rollout better.””Perth needs a coordinated infrastructure strategy to deal with its mounting growth challenges.”Mr Lenzo said the research also revealed attitudes to the State Government’s performance on a range of issues, with most residents believing that the Government is doing a poor job in setting a fair level of taxation when people buy or sell properties and in making housing more affordable.The report also shows an overwhelming majority of Australians support Federal Government action to improve our cities, with housing affordability not considered to be just a state issue. “Overwhelmingly, Australians are clear they want the new Abbott Government to step up and take action on housing supply and affordability – they don’t want buck passing to the states” said Mr Lenzo.”The My City survey makes it clear we need a nation-wide effort to boost the performance of our cities to meet the challenges of the future: population, housing, infrastructure and a strong economy.”The Property Council’s My City: The People’s Verdict report is available at www.propertyoz.com.au/mycityMedia contact: Joe Lenzo, Executive Director: Property Council, (08) 9426 1200 or 0419 044 768 Lino Iacomella, Dep. Executive Director: Property Council, (08) 9426 1200 or 0417 1 974