The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) congratulated the State Government today on the much-anticipated launch of the State Infrastructure Strategy discussion paper, which it is hoped will facilitate ongoing collaboration with industry around the future strategic planning, funding and provision of major infrastructure projects across the state.
“Historically, infrastructure funding and prioritisation has often been caught up in political cycles, without a coordinated and future-focused approach based on solid population growth forecasts and alignment with land use planning frameworks,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“A forward-looking strategy that spans a 20-year timeframe will hopefully remove some of the politics and ensure more certainty around infrastructure delivery so that we can plan more effectively for future urban growth and understand our changing populations needs over time with confidence,” Ms Steinbeck said.
Collaborating across government agencies to avoid a ‘siloed’ approach to urban and infrastructure planning that has previously caused strategic gaps in infrastructure planning is also welcomed.
“Informing the strategy from the outset with a baseline assessment of existing and planned infrastructure will be critical to understanding the state’s strategic infrastructure needs and working across government to reach shared agreement on our infrastructure requirements will be key,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“It will also be important to align the strategy with the existing Perth & Peel @3.5 million planning frameworks including ensuring a consistent population growth forecast is used for both urban and infrastructure planning,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Strategic land use planning and the development of a State Infrastructure Strategy go hand in hand and will be critical in achieving the state government’s urban consolidation targets and maximising the value of infrastructure investment,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The inclusion of social and affordable housing as a key focus for consideration as part of the strategy is also welcomed by the institute.
“Housing is a fundamental need for all, and the State’s significant capital and ongoing maintenance investment in social housing needs detailed consideration and should also be aligned with any future Housing Strategy,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“Overall, the roll out of major infrastructure goes hand in hand with urban growth in our cities and regions. Therefore, it is critical that we work together – industry, government and the broader community – to achieve the best possible outcomes for the future of our state.”
Ends.
Contact:
Gemma Osiejak
Executive Manager Communications & Marketing
P: 0421 506 819
E: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au