Government needs to accelerate infrastructure planning and funding because Australia is struggling to create cities and regions that are productive, liveable, and sustainable.
“In the midst of the worst housing crisis many of us have seen, we need foresight, planning and investment in infrastructure to support the National Housing Accord target to build 1.2 million well-located homes. UDIA’s National 2024 Policy Platform focuses on solutions to address upfront barriers to delivering homes. Bolstering strategic planning and access to funding for infrastructure are a critical focus,” said Col Dutton, UDIA National President.
Sadly, there are too many examples where future cities have been identified without developing a strategic plan that identifies housing needs and supporting infrastructure. Where we have housing infrastructure needs, there is often no funding or capacity to build it, which holds up dwelling delivery.
“Dwelling delivery is being stymied by upfront barriers to infrastructure and Government should free-up funding of infrastructure that supports housing. This includes enabling infrastructure as well as roads and rail,” said Mr Dutton.
UDIA is encouraged that the Federal Government has taken up several of our recommendations to address these issues and we strongly support its efforts to:
- rationalise the major infrastructure pipeline.
- ensure transport infrastructure is linked to housing priorities, and well-planned cities.
- procure infrastructure to support long-term sustainability of the construction industry.
- tie infrastructure spending to planned development of cities, suburbs and regions, linking strategic planning, population and employment growth, with housing supply.
We will continue our advocacy to Government to leverage the knowledge, experience and skills that our industry can bring to ensure the effective planning, management and delivery of infrastructure and housing.
The full UDIA National 2024 Policy Platform – Supply. Support. Sustainability … pathways to productivity with details of each recommendation can be found at this link