The Property Council of Australia has welcomed an independent audit of Australia’s capital cities for the Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP) alliance which shows South Australia’s city planning system ranks third in the nation.
“The report by KMPG shows that the performance of our capital cities is critical if we are to turbo-charge Australia’s nation-building agenda,” Property Council of Australia CEO Peter Verwer said.
BEMP is an alliance of leading property industry groups that includes Consult Australia, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Green Building Council of Australia, the Planning Institute of Australia and the Property Council of Australia.
The Property Council of Australia said the Review of Australia’s Capital City Planning Systems shows we still have a long way to go if our capital cities are to continue to meet the challenges of the future identified by COAG.
“We applaud COAG’s strong commitment to improve capital city planning systems, but the reality does not yet match the vision,” Mr Verwer said.
“If we can lift the performance of our major capital cities, then we will lift the performance of our economy and create more liveable and sustainable communities.”
Mr Verwer said the report provides the basis for the Commonwealth to extend its reach into planning our capital cities, particularly within the framework of population policy.
“We welcome the Commonwealth’s renewed interest in our cities,” Mr Verwer said.
“The Rudd Government should more actively engage in our cities by combining the Population policy portfolio with Urban Affairs and re-launch a ‘Better Cities’ targeted infrastructure program.”
“We need a strong Commonwealth role in our cities if we want to deliver better economic, social and environmental outcomes.”
South Australian Division Executive Director Nathan Paine says the third rank shows that while there is room for improvement, some headway has been made.
“If this report had been undertaken five or even two years ago, we would have been much further down,” Mr Paine said.
“The fact that we scored so highly is due to the Government’s planning and development assessment reform agenda.
“The 30 Year Plan and the State Government’s drive to deliver strategic, sustainable growth has set us in good stead; now we need to focus on implementation and delivery.
“This report will assist us in understanding the areas in which we can improve and we look forward to working with the Government to delivering a better state, a better city and a better future for all South Australians.”
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