Include LG in growth management and planning: Treasury

Local government needs to be involved in decision-making about services, infrastructure, and population growth management, the Federal Treasury says.

The 2021 Intergenerational Report released by Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg this week points to a decline in Australia’s population growth triggered by Covid-19 border closures, but projects the population will continue growing faster than most other developed countries and reach 38.8 million in 2060-61.

The economic
and social pressures and capacity constraints that result from an inward flow
of migrants need to be managed carefully, the report says.

“Sustainable
migration provides greater certainty for governments, businesses and
individuals to plan for the future.

“[But] higher
migration rates bring forward higher demand for services, natural resources,
urban land, and infrastructure, which may be in limited supply and vary
significantly based on region.

“This
requires transparency, consistent decision-making and careful planning by all
levels of government,” it says.

“The National Population and Planning Framework, agreed by the Australian Government, state, and local governments in 2020, provides a mechanism to pursue these population planning goals.”

“Governments
at all levels need to ensure that planning and infrastructure provision keep pace
with current and future migration rates and ensure that migrants have access to
essential services – such  as public
transport, support services and housing – and can meaningfully integrate into
society.”

The report
says migration should be kept at or below the capacity of the destination city
or region to absorb new migrants, considering impacts on incumbent populations.
 

It also touches on the impacts of climate change on the economy and the budget – and says that further investments in skills, infrastructure, and digital transformation will be required to boost productivity.