Infrastructure Australia's vision for 2036 is to have infrastructure that improves the sustainability of the country's economic, social, environmental and governance settings, builds quality of life for all Australians, and is resilient to shocks and emerging stresses.
It is an ambitious vision, but one that is achievable through the practical and actionable reform agenda detailed in the 2021 Plan. Underpinning this agenda is a focus on population growth, adaptation to climate risk, building resilience, stimulating employment, driving economic productivity, embracing a diversity of places and social equity.
Overall, it is based on a rigorous evaluation of benefit, cost and risk. In addition, we have assessed each reform's potential impact on access, quality and cost of infrastructure services for individual and business consumers.
To test the sustainability of our proposed reforms, we put them through a 'quadruple-bottom-line' evaluation to ensure they balance social, economic, environmental and governance outcomes.
By focusing on key areas for reform, we can imagine what a stronger Australia looks like in 2036.
1. Place-based outcomes for communities - unlocking the potential of every location. Each place's identity informs its infrastructure needs and priorities, enabling investment that builds on a location's competitive strengths or reduces place-based disadvantage.
2. Sustainability and resilience - balancing infrastructure outcomes in an uncertain future. Communities are able to resist, absorb, accommodate, recover, transform and thrive in response to the effects of shocks and stresses in a timely and efficient manner, enabling sustainable economic, social, environmental and governance outcomes.
3. Industry productivity and innovation - facilitating a step change in productivity. An infrastructure industry that is highly productive, efficient, effective, prepared and confident.
An environment where industry can sustainably respond to government objectives and vision with capability, capacity and resources in line with Australia's best interests.
4. Transport - delivering an integrated network. Transport services should seamlessly connect people and goods across a vast continent.
From door-to-door urban journeys to paddock-to-plate and pit-to-port supply chains, transport should be reliable and simple to use.
5. Energy - enabling an affordable transition to a net zero future. Australia should export clean energy to the world from its high-tech, low-cost, low-emissions energy system. Empowered consumers and businesses can manage their own energy costs and participate in an efficient, reliable grid.
6. Water - prioritising safety and security. Resilient, safe, secure and quality water supplies are available for all Australians and create attractive, liveable and resilient communities.
7. Telecommunications and digital - ensuring equity in an era of accelerating digitalisation. A fully connected Australia that offers resilient, superfast, equitable and wide coverage to everyone.
8. Social infrastructure - supporting economic prosperity and quality of life. Quality, accessible, future-focused, multi-purpose and economically valued social infrastructure should support a strong, healthy and prosperous nation and ongoing quality of life for all Australians.
9. Waste - accelerating Australia's transition to a circular economy. Shifting from a linear waste management model to a circular economy has transformed Australia from a world-leading waste generator to building new industries as a recycling and remanufacturing powerhouse.