campusreview.com.au
(Left to right): federal major projects minister Paul Fletcher; John Grill Centre
chief executive Marc Vogts; and NAB's Steve Lambert. Photo: Matt Vas.
Build it smarter
Australia needs a better return on its
investment in infrastructure to keep up
with rapidly increasing demand.
By James Wells
A
ustralia needs new infrastructure. Now. Over the next
25 years, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane will need
to accommodate a total of 5.9 million more people.
This February, the nation’s population hit 24 million. The
boom has contributed to the damnable daily struggle with traffic
congestion – especially in Sydney. And in the regions, Infrastructure
Australia calls for a major project renaissance to accommodate
South-east Asian demand for our resources.
Yet despite such pressing needs, a report launched by the
University of Sydney John Grill Centre for Project Leadership,
in partnership with National Australia Bank, cautions against
short-term mindsets and quantity over quality when considering
what infrastructure to build in Australia over the coming years.
It’s not like money isn’t being spent. Throughout the last decade,
$500 billion has been invested in infrastructure. This was twice the
price tag from the decade preceding. But the Grill Centre's report,
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