As described in the Industry productivity and innovation chapter, data-sharing and transparency about future investment pipelines at a local level would encourage more collaboration between infrastructure providers.
The Australian Government's 2015 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee noted that investment in regional infrastructure presents an opportunity to piggy-back major works to provide communications more cheaply, such as during roadbuilding or laying a pipeline.98
" Uncoordinated delivery of social and economic infrastructure in smaller communities can lead to duplication, increase costs and undermine service outcomes. "
However, the Productivity Commission has raised concerns that the lack of existing publicly accessible information about existing telecommunications infrastructure has limited the scope for infrastructure sharing and led to duplication and higher costs.99
This is also the case with other infrastructure, particularly where projects involve multiple infrastructure sectors.
More consistent and comprehensive public information about asset locations would improve infrastructure investment and facilitate integrated planning and coordination.100