A report released by ASBEC calls for a clear pathway to sustainable and productive infrastructure. The report compiles the views of 35 key representatives of the building sector, government and academia.

“Australia needs sustainable and productive infrastructure – but our current infrastructure planning processes suffer from short term thinking, politicisation, and funding constraints. The solution is a truly visionary, 30 year plan that can spot the gaps and priorities across the nation.” said ASBEC President Ken Maher.

“We know infrastructure is vitally important to Australia’s economy. Right now, governments need to work collaboratively with the private-sector to release new funds for infrastructure investment based on independent, transparent advice supported by broad cost-benefit analysis.”

“This investment is needed to ensure business investment can support our growing population and the changing realities of a society where household energy consumption and car use is declining, while extreme weather events become more common through the impact of Climate Change.”

“But there are major challenges we must overcome. Politicians find it hard to look beyond the 3 or 4 year election timetable, whilst taking too long to make critical infrastructure decisions, with scoping projects and tender processes stretching the timetable out to years. We need to take the long view. Infrastructure Australia plans to release a 15 year plan, but we believe a 30 year plan would better.”

ASBEC has identified that the pathway to the productive, sustainable infrastructure Australia needs should include:

• A 30 Year Infrastructure Plan developed by Infrastructure Australia with 5 year review cycles, augmented by a National Spatial Masterplan.
• Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement informing the design and delivery of the Infrastructure Plan, founded in collaboration between community, industry and government.
• Five Pathways guiding the implementation of the plan: Engagement, Planning, Decision, Funding and Execution.

Read the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council: Pathway to Productive and Sustainable Infrastructure Workshop Report

Download the full ASBEC media release.