Moves on better transport and land use planning needed for Victoria now
With the federal government increasingly linking funding commitments to evidence of long-term land use and transport planning, Engineers Australia’s Victoria Division has released today recommendations through the publication Towards a more livable future for Victoria – Choosing a sustainable land use and transport path.
Engineers Australia says that for Victoria to be successful in receiving its fair share of our national infrastructure dollars, we must place our transport decisions in the broader context of both our vision for Victoria and the associated productivity and livability improvements we expect to achieve.
Also, good planning around Victoria’s transport and land systems can help build resilience, reliability and sustainability so that they accommodate growth and respond to shocks.
One of the key economic challenges for government is to identify the role transport and land use can play in decoupling economic development from consumption.
Engineers Australia proposes that to meet the challenges the Victorian Government needs to take a leadership role by focusing on managing today’s operational challenges while preparing for emerging challenges.
Also, it is essential that there is better engagement with stakeholders, including local governments, so there is a more widely informed grasp of the challenges that could lead to working collaboratively for the future.
Engineers Australia already provides updated assessments of the major sectors of the State’s infrastructure through the Engineers Australia Victorian Infrastructure Report Cards. The 2010 report clearly demonstrated with ratings in the transport sectors, including a D for Rail, that Victoria is already struggling and much needs to be done now, through consensus and commitment, across all levels of government, business and the community.
Effective infrastructure planning and delivery takes many years and is certainly outside the constraints of the electoral cycles. A positive move for all sectors of infrastructure would be the establishment of an independent authority “Infrastructure Victoria” to provide long-term, integrated strategic planning advice to government.
Media Contact: John Bright 0407 234 490 or jbright@engineersaustralia.org.au
