INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA’S 15-YEAR ROADMAP
23 Sep 2021
Highlighting a number of priorities for the nation’s multi-billion infrastructure spend, Infrastructure Australia has published a 15-year roadmap that includes supporting growth in regional centres, digitisation and sustainability.
Monash experts discussed the infrastructure opportunities and challenges governments, communities and private businesses are facing through the pandemic and beyond.
“COVID will not dismantle cities as powerful, economic engines. They will endure the instability, just as they have with previous pandemics and other major urban shocks” said Professor Grodach, Director of Urban Planning and Design, Monash Art, Design and Architecture
“The enduring lockdowns have distorted employees’ work preferences, and influenced business decisions. These will change again as restrictions ease.
“Infrastructure Australia’s report highlights Australia’s infrastructure deficit and the lack of funding for essential community infrastructure, particularly in developing areas.
“The real challenge is developing both hard and soft infrastructure to accommodate a changing economy and workforce, including planning for different types of employment centres in both regional and metropolitan areas”, explains Professor Grodach.
Dr Alexa Gower, Research Fellow, Department of Architecture, Monash Art, Design and Architecture said “city planning and design policies may evolve as lifestyle values become more important than employment access. This could encourage cities and regions to increase their focus on people-centric policies, rather than prioritising attracting businesses.”
“Further and more nuanced research is required to enable regional areas to capitalise on the benefits of the Work From Home movement, and avoid inheriting the same challenges cities are grappling with.”
Image by Road Trip with Raj on Unsplash
