Towards an urban policy contract for Australia

How do we get a national urban policy contract?

Governments need to forge total solutions that focus on the global, regional and neighbourhood interests of all Australians. A more integrated national stratgegy has a much better chance of facilitating the growth that will help support better lifestyles for all Australians.

A national urban policy for Australia would:

• ·involve the commitment of all governments;
• relate government policy across all portfolios from communication, education, and capital works to transport, health and research,
• ameliorate the interaction between the realities of short term politics and the imperatives of rational public policy making.

A national urban policy would transform Australia's competitive future from accidental, ad-hoc vulnerability to strategic design and opportunity. It would:

• Achieve government commitment to urban and regional strategies, linked to a budget process. Funding spent to a plan.
• Create completive and sustainable strategies for cities.
• Develop governance structures that deliver certainty and community credibility.
• And forge a new and broad coalition of interests

What would be in a National Urban Policy?

A national urban policy plan would address and consider:

• Drivers and growth horizons
• Digital cities-Telematics
• Learning - education, skills, migration, R&D
• Health and ageing communities
• Transportation
• Power/energy
• Sustainability
• Livability - place making and design dividends
• Cultural incubators - innovation, creativity
• e-leadership
• Infrastructure asset maintenance and development plan
• Capital attraction
• Business environment - tax etc
• Business mentoring and attraction
• Brand specialization
• Governance
• Funding models

What would a National Urban Policy deliver?

• New Economy Cities for Australia that are livable, sustainable, competitive and driven by smart growth and demand
• 21C National Infrastructure for Australia through best practice urban hardware to support new economic growth
• Cities and regions that are Strategic Centres of Excellence providing the "peoples' software" for creativity and innovation
• Cities that are Platforms for Growth through harmonized development & business rules

The Property Council has committed to pursue these outcomes through its leadership.