New list recognises importance of building back better

Infrastructure Australia’s new focus on
ensuring that all communities have access to quality infrastructure has been
welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

The infrastructure advisory body has
added 44 new proposals to its 2021 Infrastructure Priority List prioritising:

• Improved digital connectivity;
• Support for economic
  development in regional communities;
• Road and freight connectivity
  to improve Australia’s export competitiveness;
• Investing in new energy
  sources; and
• Better strategic planning for
  water capture, use and management.

ALGA President Linda Scott said the
revised Infrastructure Priority List demonstrated an awareness that post-Covid-19
economic recovery needs to be about “building back better”.

“Our economic recovery strategy has to
be predicated on more than just restoring what we had before the pandemic hit,”
Cr Scott said.

“The economic and social impacts of
Covid-19 have been significant, but the past 12 months have also shown there
are alternative development pathways that are open to us as a nation.”

If Australia is to adapt successfully
to the profound changes that have occurred since February 2020, it will have to
become smarter, more productive, and more resilient.

“The way to do this is to invest in
infrastructure that helps transform our transport, water, waste,
telecommunications, and energy sectors.

“Broadband connectivity and digital
technology advances mean we can direct economic growth away from congested
cities and more towards the regions with their affordable housing and great
quality of life,” she said.

“Even before the lockdowns and border
closures, people were beginning to move from the cities to the regions – for
lifestyle reasons but also because these areas also represent enormous
business, agriculture and manufacturing potential.”

To capitalise on regional strengths,
greater investment will be needed in freight network capability,
telecommunications infrastructure, road network maintenance, water security,
and community infrastructure.

Cr Scott said local government has a
long history of partnering with the Commonwealth and states to roll out
infrastructure programs, and the sector stands to help implement the proposals
championed by Infrastructure Australia.

“Our on-the-ground connections and
expertise mean councils are eager to, and will, play a vital role in the
infrastructure provision that IA has identified as being critical to supporting
economic recovery and building regional communities,” Cr Scott said.

Building back better also requires
providing local communities with the social infrastructure they need to thrive
and prosper now and in the future.

Cr Scott said ALGA will continue to
advocate strongly for state and federal investment to assist local governments
to provide the social infrastructure needed to build community resilience and
cohesiveness, including public space, sport and recreation, and arts and
culture.

“With smart, targeted investments that
capitalise on our strengths and assets, we can grow our cities, towns and
regions in ways that bolster long-term national prosperity,” Cr Scott said.

ENDS