THE FUTURE OF REGIONAL

INFRASTRUCTURE

Driving economic growth and

community well-being for Australia

JACK ARCHER Regional Australia Institute

OVERVIEW

About the Regional Australia Institute

Regional Infrastructure – our current approach

Embedding Regional Infrastructure in the National Agenda –

reform imperatives

WHAT IS THE REGIONAL AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE

The Regional Australia Institute exists to create a vibrant future

for regional Australia - for the benefit of all Australians

Informed by both research and ongoing dialogue with the

community, we develop policy and advocate for change to build

a stronger economy and a better quality of life in regional

Australia

[IN]SIGHT - AUSTRALIA’S REGIONAL

COMPETITIVENESS INDEX

Putting data back

into the hands of

regional Australia

REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Supports a flexible, integrated and diverse national economy

Provides a foundation for equity and quality of life across

Australia

Widespread deficit identified – estimated at $15b+ and rising

Current Infrastructure Projects (Source: Dept Infrastructure and Regional Development)

REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES

Limited or no understanding of the relative benefits of regional

investment (existing and potential)

Lack of clearly defined and measurable policy objectives – e.g.

via clearly defined Community Service Obligations

Severe institutional impediments to better outcomes

• 560 LGAs, multitude of programs and initiatives, focus on

ribbon cutting and significant new infrastructure investment

Integrated national infrastructure investment framework

• setting clearer policy goals

• rigorously measuring community infrastructure needs and the

success of all levels of government

A systemic national response to the local infrastructure deficit

• better application of Commonwealth funding

• facilitation of private investment

• capacity building and improved information.

RAI REFORM DIRECTIONS

Growth of independent influence in the system:

• Establishment and embedding of Infrastructure Australia (e.g.

National Road Audit Initiative)

• State infrastructure organisations (e.g. RDA

Hunter/Infrastructure NSW Hunter Economic Infrastructure

Plan)

PC Inquiry into Public Infrastructure (Road Fund recommendation)

CURRENT REFORM DIRECTIONS – SEEDS OF CHANGE?

Regional infrastructure embedded into the national infrastructure

system, competing alongside big ticket city projects for

investment

Political decision making balanced by rigorous and consistent

information, independent analysis and lasting objectives

Formal coalitions of LGAs and others in regional Australia

collaborating to define needs and seek investment from upper

tiers of government

AMBITIONS WE SHOULD SET

LOST OPPORTUNITY - SMALL PROJECTS MAY BRING BIGGER

BENEFITS!

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000

Fo

recast

BC

R

Cost ($ million)

Source: Productivity Commission/Infrastructure Australia

KEEP IN TOUCH

www.regionalaustralia.org.au

Jack.Archer@regionalaustralia.org.au

@RegionalAus