Investment in social infrastructure is essential for the health, wellbeing and economic prosperity of Australian communities.
Successful approaches include: Making better use of existing infrastructure by repurposing or sharing facilities; using alternative methods like technology to deliver services; and collaborating on solutions that leverage funding or encourage co-location.
These initiatives need to be supported by a robust, nationally consistent framework to capture and measure the real economic value of social infrastructure, to inform effective and balanced investment.
Under the reforms Infrastructure Australia proposes, compatible facilities such as schools, Technical and Further Education facilities (TAFEs), health care assets and sporting fields would be available for shared use all year and all week round.
In addition, planning for new or renewed facilities (such as hospitals, universities and research and training facilities) will involve co-locating them in economically significant innovation precincts.
This will optimise collaboration and innovation across sectors, leading to job creation, knowledge transfer and improved productivity.
These precincts should be strategically located. They will need to be close to services and affordable housing for staff, students and their families and integrated with transport networks so they are easily accessible.