Planning Australia s Major Cities Dorte Ekelund Executive Director Major Cities Unit Presentation to the Planning Research Centre University of Sydney, 14 April 2010
Outline 1. Infrastructure Australia and Major Cities Unit 2. Australian context for cities 3. Challenges of city planning 4. Australian Government s renewed role in cities
National Context National leadership in urban systems: back from the abyss Address under-investment in infrastructure nationally Government initiatives include: Infrastructure Australia Building Australia Fund Major Cities Unit
Infrastructure Australia National Strategic Priorities Expand Australia s productive capacity and increase productivity Diversify Australia s economic capabilities Build on Australia s global competitive advantages Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Develop our cities + regions: Transforming Our Cities Improve social equity, and quality of life, in our cities+ regions
Transforming our Cities Major Cities Unit National view of problems facing cities Co-located with Infrastructure Australia Australian Government commitment to cities that are: - Productive - Liveable - Sustainable Developing National Urban Policy /Cities Strategy
Why are our major cities important? Australia is one of the most urbanised countries 75 % of the population live in 17 major cities 80% of economic activity 84 % of economic growth (2003-2008) Gateways to the global economy
State of Australian Cities 2010 A national snapshot of Australia s cities An evidence base to: generate debate present challenges highlight trends measure progress develop policy http://www/infrastructure.gov.au/mcu
National Cities Strategy A new, long-term strategic framework for the sustainable development of our cities Vision: Through good governance, our cities are productive, liveable and sustainable Articulating the expectations, responsibilities, strategies and actions of governments, the private sector and the community To transform our urban systems
Global challenges Population growth and demographic change Climate change Economic competitiveness and peak oil
Population forecasts 2056 2056 Sydney 2026 2006 2006 2026 2056 2026 2026 2056 Melbourne Brisbane Perth Adelaide Hobart Darwin Canberra 2006 2006 2026 2056 2006 2056 2056 2056 2006 2006 2006 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009) Population Projections 2006-2100. ABS cat 3220.0
Ageing population Demographic change 8.1 million people aged 65 and over by 2056 23% of projected population Source: ABS Population projections 2006-2100 cat. No. 3222.0
Economic challenges Motorised travel in the eight capital cities Private motor vehicles account for 90% of passenger transport in 2008 Costs of congestion estimated at $9.4 billion in 2005. Source: BITRE 2008
Improving productivity Economic challenges About 99% of Australian imports and exports by volume are carried by sea. The freight task to Australia s capital cities is expected to grow by 70% by 2020. $250 $200 $150 $100 BITRE port interface costs Change in $ per teu, imports, 1996 to 2008 road other $50 $0 -$50 -$100 brisbane sydney melbourne adelaide fremantle Source: BITRE 1996 2009 Waterline. Issues 8-45
Climate change Total Greenhouse Contribution of Australian Transport 250000 200000 International shipping International aviation Emissions for international transport, to and from Australia, are estimated using half of total fuel use. Gg (total CO2 equivalent emissions) 150000 100000 Domestic marine Domestic aviation Rail Road Base case projections 50000 0 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 Note: total warming effects - includes both directly radiative gases and indirectly radiative gases. Sources: BTRE (2006), BITRE (2009), BITRE estimates
Climate Change impacts Sea level rise Heat waves and fire Storm events Declining rainfall Climate change Between 157,000 and 247,000 properties at risk of inundation with a sea level rise of 1.1 metres Current value $41 to $63b Source :Department of Climate Change, 2009 Climate Change risks to Australia s coast a first pass national assessment
Risks to infrastructure Heat Stress in Victoria 28-30, January 2009: Climate change 374 people died - more than double the previous year s number of deaths Power blackouts affect 500,000 homes (worth $70 million) Transport interruptions Total Cost $900 million
Liveability Healthy places 60% of adults and 1 in 4 children are overweight or obese In 2008 obesity estimated to cost $58.2b 1 10% car trips are less than 1km (10 minute walk) and 30% are less than 3 km. 2 Adults who had access to large, attractive public open space were 50% more likely to undertake high levels of walking.3 Source: 1. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing (2009) Weighing it up: Obesity in Australia report; 2. BITRE (2002); 3. Giles-Corti et al (2005)
Equity and accessibility Living Affordability Oil Vulnerability Source: Dodson and Sipe (2008) Unsettling the suburbs. Urban Research Program, Griffith University
Managing growth Much of a city s capacity to accommodate population increases while supporting productivity growth is reliant on the efficacy and adequacy of its infrastructure, including its housing stock. The 2010 Intergenerational Report Australia 2050: future challenges page xv
Housing demand National Housing Supply Council projections show: a cumulative gap of 431,000 dwellings by 2028 a current need for an additional 251,000 rental dwellings affordable and available to lower income households
Proportion of housing stock by dwelling type in the major cities, 2006 Gold Coast Sydney Darwin Sunshine Coast Cairns Melbourne Wollongong Canberra Adelaide Perth Brisbane Townsville Hobart Toowoomba Newcastle Geelong Launceston 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Semi-detached, row or terrace house, townhouse Flat, unit or apartment Other dwelling Separate house
Proportion of dwellings approved by dwelling type, 2008-09 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% NSW Vic. Qld SA WA Tas. NT ACT Aust. New houses New semidetached, row or terrace houses, townhouses New flats, units, apartments States and Territories
Housing diversity 3.4 3.2 3.0 Bedrooms per dwelling WA QLD NSW VIC SA Houses are getting bigger... 2.8 2.6 2.4 Persons per household NSW QLD VIC WA SA but households are getting smaller! 2.2 1994 95 1995 96 1996 97 1997 98 1999 00 2000 01 2002 03 2003 04 2005 06 Year Source: BITRE analysis of ABS 2007 Cat. No. 4130.0.55.001
Governing the Metropolis To address this complex, connected set of challenges, and to lift our urban productivity, we must establish new frameworks for how the different levels of government, along with businesses and the community, work together to build better cities and suburbs. Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd October 2009 speech to Business Council of Australia
Urban governance in Australia Australian Government 6 States and 2 Territories 565 Local Governments (139 LGAs in Capital cities) Regional and other collectives Tax and transfer system Immigration National infrastructure Metropolitan planning Urban transport Health, Education, Utilities Development approval Roads, rates and rubbish Local community services and facilities Advocacy Collaboration
Urban governance in Australia Capital Cities Number of LGAs Sydney 43 Melbourne 31 Brisbane 5 Perth 30 Adelaide 19 Canberra 1 Darwin 3 Hobart 7
Australian cities a path to reform Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed on 7 December 2009 to: - National criteria for capital city strategic planning systems - to manage population and economic growth; plans which will address climate change, improve housing affordability and supply, and tackle urban congestion - State government strategic plans to meet criteria by 2012 - Link federal infrastructure funding to criteria
Australian cities a path to reform Australian Council of Local Governments - Direct engagement with local government - Meetings of 565 Mayors with Prime Minister and Cabinet in Parliament House - Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government - Regional Development Australia
Principles for good governance Leadership - South-east Queensland Co-operation - 14 Adelaide Mayors regular Collaboration and resource sharing - Council of Capital City Lord Mayors Participation - Melbourne 2030 consultation Accountability and transparency - Western Australian Planning Commission
Cities as solutions More compact More accessible More productive Less carbon intensive Less car dependent Less inequitable