The 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan is a practical and actionable roadmap for infrastructure reform. It is intended to deliver infrastructure for a stronger Australia, and support our national recovery from the still-unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the bushfires, drought, floods and cyber-attacks that have tested our resilience in recent years.
" By focusing on key areas for reform, we can imagine what a stronger Australia looks like in 2036. "
In addition to these significant shocks, the 2021 Plan is delivered at a time of risk, change and uncertainty for the infrastructure sector. As highlighted in the 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit, long-term infrastructure planning and decision-making are increasingly complicated by the pace of technological change, shifting geopolitical relationships, new consumer expectations, a trend towards localisation and a changing climate.
Despite these challenges, Australia is well placed to take advantage of opportunities in the post-pandemic recovery phase.
Compared to other OECD countries:
• our economy has performed well
• our infrastructure networks have proven to be relatively resilient
• our service providers have shown that they are adaptable to community needs.
The 2021 Plan details how we can build on these advantages and the lessons learned from the past year to build a stronger, more secure Australia. It prioritises community outcomes and outlines meaningful steps to grow Australia's economy, maintain and enhance people's standard of living and ensure every city and region delivers world-class infrastructure for all Australians.