Adina Cirson: We need a plan for a prosperous and liveable city

This week I was part of a panel for the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis (IGPA) Canberra Conversation Public Lecture series. The focus of our discussion was how we prioritise infrastructure for Canberra, with our population set to increase 6 per cent over the next three years alone. How do we plan for infrastructure that supports that change and retain what we love about Canberra?

One thing became clear – infrastructure planning must look forward 15-20 years – well beyond any electoral cycle, and kick our habit of assessing the merit of projects based on political allegiances. Assessing projects in isolation will never capture the true value they will deliver to the community. Only a long-term, collective plan will deliver the infrastructure needed to deliver a more prosperous and liveable city for everyone.

It was a point well made by George Megalogenis in his 2016 Quarterly Essay – Balancing Act. He argued that a more active role needs to be taken by governments to build a modern Australia – akin to that which followed the reconstruction of Australia after World War II. The point being that building infrastructure requires energy and focus. You need a plan.

It also means federal government must come to the table – particularly when it comes to the investment needed in the nation’s capital – rather than trying to deconstruct it with a view to short-term political gain. The time for energy and focus on building the Canberra we are yet to become is right now.

Adina Cirson is the ACT executive director of the Property Council of Australia.