Outer suburbs need an infrastructure injection

Outer suburbs need an infrastructure injectionThe infrastructure backlog in Australia’s fast-growing fringe areas stands at more than $ billion, according to a new report.New analysis from the National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA), which represents councils and communities on the outskirts of Australia’s capital cities, finds five million Australians lack access to adequate roads, public transport and health facilities.It found that $5 billion is needed each year over the next 15 years to meet current infrastructure needs.An additional $23 billion by 2031 is required to keep infrastructure investment on a level playing field with inner-city areas.Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison said the NGAA is right to highlight the infrastructure shortfall occurring across Australia’s fast-growing outer suburbs.”For too long, the outer-rings of Australia’s major cities have not been getting the health, education, transport and road infrastructure that they need,” Morrison said.Despite more than $72 billion being collected in property taxes each year, property owners are paying levies that don’t end up funding infrastructure, Morrison added.”Property owners are already paying more than their fair share of tax – and this is seen in the pressures on housing affordability. Governments across Australia need to get smarter at using their own balance sheet to fund major infrastructure.”Read more about the National Growth Areas Alliance’s Fund our Future campaign.