Infrastructure Australia (IA) has published its latest report on the state of the country’s built environment, declaring that a new wave of investment and reform is needed if the nation’s quality of life and productivity are to be maintained.
IA’s 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit has found that growing demand and a backlog of maintenance of infrastructure are placing unprecedented pressure on available services.
Chair of AI, Julieanne Alroe said the current infrastructure program must do more than plug the immediate funding gap, rather it must deliver long-term changes to the way we plan, fund and deliver infrastructure.
“Rather than a short-term boom, the historic level of activity we are seeing in the sector must, and is likely, to continue for the next 15 years and potentially beyond,” Ms Alroe said.
“This must be the new normal if we are to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
She said AI’s report presented a forward-looking view of infrastructure challenges and opportunities, covering the major infrastructure sectors of energy, transport, telecommunications, water — and for the first time, social infrastructure and waste.
“The 2019 audit finds that infrastructure in our four largest cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, is failing to keep pace with rapid population growth, particularly on the urban fringe,” Ms Alroe said.
“With our population projected to grow by 24 per cent to reach 31.4 million by 2034, our largest cities are expected to see pressure on access to infrastructure.”
She said the costs of inaction were significant.
“If investment were to stop, the cost of road congestion is projected to grow by $18.9 billion to $38.7 billion in 2031. This impacts quality of life, as well as our economic productivity and competitiveness as a nation,” Ms Alroe said.
She also noted that poorer access to infrastructure services in remote communities was reinforcing disadvantage.
“In many parts of the country, service provision falls below what is acceptable for a highly developed nation.”
She said IA was calling for feedback and submissions in response to the 136 challenges and 44 opportunities identified in its audit with submissions be open to 31 October.
IA’s independent 639-page audit report can be accessed at this PS News link and submissions can be made on its website at this link.
