To help Victoria reap the benefits of its unprecedented population growth, Infrastructure Victoria has called for better integration of land use and transport infrastructure, and more targeted regional infrastructure initiatives.
In a discussion paper titled Growing Victoria’s Potential, the independent infrastructure adviser said if properly planned, Victoria’s record population growth could deliver great outcomes for the state.
Infrastructure Victoria CEO Michel Masson said realising the potential of growth would take careful planning, and open conversations about how and where the state grows.
“Victoria has a transformational opportunity to harness the potential of its population growth and thrive in an increasingly competitive global market,” Masson said.
“Over the next 18 months we will be updating Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy to identify projects, policies and reforms that maximise the opportunities and mitigate the challenges of population growth.”
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Growing Victoria’s Potential is the first in a series of 2019 releases, as part of an update to the advisory bodies 30-year infrastructure strategy.
The paper was released with detailed regional and metropolitan profiles, outlining the unique strengths and challenges in different parts of Victoria.
According to Masson, the profiles were developed through a year-long process of data gathering and consultation with regional stakeholders.
“We’ll have a focus on how we make the most of Victoria’s regions, what level of density is right for a growing Melbourne and how we ensure we have the right infrastructure in the right place at the right time,” Masson said.
Masson said planning for growth requires honest conversations on complex issues.
“If we want to increase infrastructure service levels, then we need to think about the level of density that will be required to support it,” Masson said.
“We know that when it comes to infrastructure, we can’t do everything and we can’t do it all at once, so we need to consider the benefits, impacts and costs of all the available options in order to prioritise what we need to do where, and when.”