The Sustainable Population Strategy and related policy initiatives
To support a sustainable Australia the Government knows it needs to help to get the balance right to meet Australia's future challenges.
There are three key initiatives in the 2011 Budget that underpin the Government's approach to building a sustainable Australia: the National Urban Policy, measures supporting the forthcoming Sustainable Population Strategy, and the Regional Policy agenda. These commitments will enable us to achieve more productive, sustainable and liveable cities and build strong regional communities, providing a platform for a more sustainable Australia.
Figure 2 Building our Regional Communities and Enhancing Liveable Cities
The National Urban Policy complements the Australian Government's forthcoming Sustainable Population Strategy. Population growth over the coming decades is expected to be concentrated in our major cities. The National Urban Policy is therefore a critical component of a Sustainable Australia framework. It applies the principles of the forthcoming Sustainable Population Strategy specifically to the urban context. In doing so, it 'translates' the Strategy into tangible outcomes for cities, such as meeting future infrastructure needs through first achieving more efficient and effective use of existing infrastructure.
Together, the National Urban Policy and the Sustainable Population Strategy will provide for an evidence-based approach to how the Australian Government can contribute to meeting current and future challenges, to ensure that Australia remains a prosperous, fair and environmentally-sustainable society.
The Australian Government is also developing a Regional Policy agenda to acknowledge regional diversity; ensure place-based thinking; empower communities to innovate and shape their own future; and to ensure a fair balance of investments and access to services for Regional Australia.
These are important investments in regional Australia but our strategy does not stop there. The Prime Minister will also begin a rigorous COAG process that asks State Premiers to lead the development of Commonwealth-State reforms that are of particular relevance to their jurisdiction, whether it be labour mobility in the west or easing congestion in Sydney.
The Government is funding projects across the country in every capital city to help ease congestion and the time spent in cars and traffic.
Key components of our national transport infrastructure are located in our major cities which are both hubs of activity and gateways to international and domestic markets. The Australian Government, through Infrastructure Australia, has improved investment planning and project assessment and has developed the National Ports Strategy and a draft National Land Freight Strategy. These will inform the future investments and reform policies of the Australian Government, and can serve as a guide to the transport and logistics industry and for State and Territory Governments in the long term development of critical city infrastructure.
In 2009, through the National Aviation Policy White Paper, the Australian Government committed to working with airport lease holders and other levels of government to achieve a more balanced airport planning framework. The Australian Government's commitment to improved integration between governments in aviation planning, is demonstrated by the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government working collaboratively to examine the long term aviation needs of the Sydney region and on the long term planning of the Greater Sydney region.
More recently, the Australian Government commenced a two year study for a possible high speed rail network along the east coast of Australia. This will provide the Government with a critical analysis of the issues which are involved in constructing a modern passenger rail connection between our three largest cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
In addition, the National Broadband Network will have a significant impact on the connectivity and inclusiveness of our cities, as well as enhancing our relationships with the rest of the world.
The Australian Government is undertaking significant reforms to the way infrastructure projects of national significance are planned, assessed, funded and regulated.
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