The Australian Government has announced a new National Cities Performance Framework, to be developed in 2017, to assist in developing smart cities policy and allow the public to see how cities are progressing.
Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor also announced the formation of a new Cities Reference Group to assist with inquiries on City Deals and the publishing of feedback on the Government’s Smart Cities Plan launched earlier in the year.
The Government has also released a submissions report on the Smart Cities Plan.
ASBEC has welcomed the proposed National Cities Performance Framework, which could track progress, incentivise best practice and support long-term evidence-based policy development for Australia’s major cities.
“Cities are the economic drivers of the nation, providing jobs and housing over 60 per cent of Australia’s population, along with economic, cultural and social exchange centres and a doorway to the world.” said ASBEC Executive Director, Suzanne Toumbourou. “It is vitally important that the progress of Australia’s major cities is measured and reported, to drive best practice and enable better policy making.”
ASBEC has long called for transparent and consistent indicators to be applied across Australia’s major cities. Indicators for the National Cities Performance Framework should draw core categories which include:
- Economic prosperity
- Sustainable land-use and transport
- Natural resources
- Green infrastructure & ecosystem health
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Resilience
- Health and liveability
- Social inclusiveness
- Good governance
- Housing diversity & supply
Benchmarking indicators should be developed in consultation with stakeholders and encourage public debate about city performance.
Existing, reputable rating tools such as NABERS, IS rating tool and Green Star align with many of the indicators and can be used to measure progress across a range factors.
“The proposed National Cities Performance Framework is a very good measure of the Australian Government’s commitment to more productive, sustainable and liveable cities.” said Ms Toumbourou. “ASBEC looks forward to participating in the Government’s Cities Reference Group as a positive consultation mechanism across industry, government and the community.”
Read ASBEC’s media release here.
Read the Australian Government’s media release on cities benchmarking here.
Read the Smart Cities Plan Submissions Report here.