Across all infrastructure sectors, Australia has a substantial opportunity to harness technology, innovation and digitalisation to grow new industries and drive service improvements.
" A more commercially and financially sustainable infrastructure industry is vital for Australia's social and economic wellbeing. "
In a highly connected and digitalised world, governments and industry must transition away from digital by exception towards digital by default.
This will unlock substantial productivity gains and efficiencies across infrastructure planning, delivery and operations, ensuring the infrastructure sector has the capacity to accelerate Australia's post-pandemic economic recovery.
Emerging technologies such as 5G, smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT) are already delivering significant benefits to communities, businesses and local economies. To ensure the opportunities these groundbreaking technologies present are fully realised, there must be better alignment across governments and industry as well as improved public understanding and adoption.
In social infrastructure sectors, the pandemic has demonstrated that agile, high-functioning infrastructure can quickly adapt to Australians' health, education and lifestyle needs. Harnessing innovation and technology even further will drive more cost-effective and sustainable infrastructure for the services communities value.