Adina Cirson: Working towards progress

Too often the best laid plans come unstuck. Often the lack of coordination when dealing with government agencies brings even the most experienced, and best intentioned developers to their knees. This challenge goes both ways – one of the most frustrating things for any government is not to be able to operate truly as one government.

The reality is that often while we are all trying to get to the same outcomes, we tend to get pulled down by the whirlpool of interests that need consideration when undertaking infrastructure work. Canberra is not isolated in this challenge – it’s just that it has particular resonance here at a time of change and renewal for the city.

Too often I have sat in meetings with everyone wearing blinkers. They see their problem only as their own, and don’t have the capacity – or perhaps the tools needed to really think strategically about problems to get to the solutions.

But this week something changed with the announcement of the City Urban Renewal Authority. The new entity will deliver high-level strategic planning, design and commercial expertise for the designated precincts. They include Northbourne and most importantly, our city centre – which sadly has become our Tin Man of Oz.

This coordinated approach is the way smart infrastructure planning can be delivered – and the only way to keep our eyes focused on solutions that not only make sense, but are capable of transforming our city in ways we haven’t even realised possible yet.

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