The Australian Government's commitment to reach net zero and its Technology Investment Roadmap is aligned to the challenges and opportunities identified in the 2019 Audit.54 One area that still needs action is the 2019 Audit's finding that Australia could lead the world in developing and applying approaches to infrastructure that enhance sustainability.55
Taking a leadership position would provide many benefits for this country. It would attract investment; develop new industries; enhance the resilience of infrastructure outcomes; provide a competitive advantage for infrastructure sector exports; and present new export opportunities for manufacturing, primary industries and service businesses.
The concept of sustainable infrastructure is embedded in this Plan, which considers sustainability outcomes throughout, including: managing waste through a circular economy; increasing water security; energy efficiency and renewable generation uptake; and securing broad economic and social outcomes through a range of social infrastructure projects and services. These outcomes and the associated activities and reforms are detailed in the relevant chapters: Water, Waste, Energy and Social infrastructure.
Additionally, to help prioritise the reforms within the 2021 Plan, Infrastructure Australia has applied a quadruple-bottom-line view of sustainability outcomes (economic, social, environmental and governance) when assessing the trade-offs of the reforms. This is provided in the Reform Priority List.