Turnbull can refocus the Federal Government on cities: Urban Taskforce

Incoming Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should refocus the Federal Government onto the importance of Australia’s cities.

With over 80% of Australian’s living in cities the Federal Government has a key role to play in how our cities develop.

Malcolm Turnbull, as the new Prime Minister, has an opportunity to refocus how Federal Government expenditure on infrastructure projects can stimulate the growth of Australia’s cities. 

The Urban Taskforce believes that State Governments must have the major responsibility for managing cities but the Federal Government which collects most of the taxes needs to allocate funds to urban infrastructure projects. This must include public transport projects as well as major road projects.

Sydney is leading the way in urban density driven by preferences for apartment living in cosmopolitan environments and this higher density is ideal for new public transport projects.

Across Australia all urban areas will be moving towards denser environments related to apartment living. The Federal Government can give incentives to State and Local Governments that support greater densities by funding key infrastructure projects.

The current review of Federation and the relative roles of State and Federal Governments must have cities and their growth as a key issue.

Malcolm Turnbull has a good understanding of the importance of encouraging density in our cities, supported by infrastructure as outlined in a presentation in 2013.

Chris Johnson is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted here.