Report underscores need to plan for smart cities growth
The Property Council of Australia welcomes the release of the latest State of Australian Cities report on Monday noting that a solid statistical base is vital to proper planning and increased national prosperity.
Executive Director, Residential, Nick Proud said the 2014-15 report underscores the challenges Australia faces if we are to best manage the growth of our cities.
“Most Australians live in our major cities and the majority of our economic activity is generated there, so it is important that policy makers have access to factual data,” Mr Proud said.
“This report highlights the demands on Australia’s transport networks and analyses the interaction between jobs, infrastructure and housing in optimising productivity.
“A more strategic, long-term approach to infrastructure delivery will maximise economic activity, workforce participation and the value of human capital in our cities.
“As the report notes: ‘Major transport infrastructure can play a critical role in shaping the growth of cities, and if properly planned, can direct future housing and employment growth to areas that improve productivity and equality of access to jobs and services.’ (p.8)
“The Federal Government has rightly put a spotlight on productivity as a core driver of the country’s future prosperity.
“A concerted policy focus is needed to ensure affordable housing is located within fast-growing population centres and is efficiently connected to the economic intensity of our city centres.
“Land use planning, including that for housing, should be done in partnership with infrastructure planning and economic development policies.
“Coordinating land and housing supply, along with the provision of appropriate infrastructure that allows better access to employment opportunities and minimises commute times, would significantly lift national productivity.
“Growth projections make this task an urgent one, with the impetus on governments to press ahead with the task of infrastructure delivery.”
Media contact: Fiona Benson | M 0407 294 620 | [email protected]