Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Cities in planning spotlight

By Kevin Rudd - posted Monday, 2 November 2009


But cutting congestion and travel time is about more than just trying to increase national productivity and GDP. It is also about giving people the chance to spend more time with their friends and families, helping the kids with homework or playing sport, rather than sitting in a traffic jam on congested roads. These things are not necessarily reflected in GDP numbers but they are of great importance to our quality of life.

In Australian cities, bottlenecks in our rail and port systems are also imposing huge financial costs on our exporters and on businesses in general.

It is estimated that road congestion by 2005 was contributing an avoidable cost of $9.4 billion. And if we fail to act, that cost will double in the next decade.

Advertisement

Governments across the nation are working to integrate long-term urban planning and infrastructure investment. Most have in place or are preparing metropolitan plans to address the challenges of growing populations, land supply, infrastructure rollout, housing and the management of growth corridors. However, while some capital city planning frameworks are good, implementing them has proved far more difficult.

As (former US) president (Dwight) Eisenhower said, the plan is nothing, the planning is everything. With Australia facing rapid growth in the decades ahead, the time has come for the Australian government to take a much greater national responsibility for improving the long-term planning of our major cities.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in The Australian on October 28, 2009. Edited from an address to the Business Council of Australia on October 27, 2009. 



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

37 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Kevin Rudd is Prime Minister of Australia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Kevin Rudd

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Kevin Rudd
Article Tools
Comment 37 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy