News & Events » Growth - Getting it right for the next generation
The National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA), in its 2012/13 budget submission, is asking the Commonwealth Government to partner with State and local Governments and the Private Sector to invest in the infrastructure that is needed to support population growth in the outer suburbs.
"There is already a backlog of facilities and services and a serious under commitment of investment to service future growth. This has a city wide and national productivity impact. We are asking the Commonwealth Government to take the steps that are needed now so that we can get it right for the next generation," said Mayor Paul Pisasale, Chair NGAA.
The NGAA is seeking an Agreement through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to establish a National Urban Investment Fund (NUIF) to increase investment in cities in line with National Urban Policy. A key focus would be outer metropolitan areas where there are infrastructure deficits and ongoing population growth.
The NUIF, to be phased in, will fund a variety of infrastructure projects in accordance with a set of agreed outcomes, such as increased employment, reduced congestion, improved access to education and services. The NUIF will be audited by an independent authority.
NGAA Chair, Paul Pisasale said "Maintaining the status-quo is not sustainable for growth areas. As with other major reform efforts, the initial outlay is significant, but the returns are greater. We estimate that the NUIF will be cash flow positive for the Commonwealth Government after just fourteen years.
"Investing in our growth areas makes sense on so many levels, not just politically; it can heighten productivity, improve social choices, generate travel and infrastructure savings and defer fringe development costs."
As a first step, it is proposed that much needed community infrastructure would be funded as a testing ground for the NUIF model. Such projects are a part of the basic requirements for healthy and productive communities. The Commonwealth Government has a role in offering more certainty to potential investment partners by supporting these projects. Included, for example, are the gyms, pools and community centres where people can go to for services, to socialise and learn; the places that impact on the mental and physical health of our communities.
NGAA is also seeking a restoration of Suburban Jobs Programs funds. "In 2011, the Commonwealth Government instigated one of the most important programs for these areas, the Suburban Jobs Program. Unfortunately the funds were cut to this program from $100m to $45m in the Mid Year Economic Fiscal Outlook. This means less capactiy to address the two speed economy that exists in out cities and which manifests in our outer suburbs. We need to close this gap for outer suburban communities. We are seeking the Commonwealth Government's assistance in this task as a matter of urgency."
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