Briefs

Access to affordable, appropriate, safe and secure housing is foundational to the economic, environmental and social functioning of cities. Urban policy in Australia is primarily focused on the supply of new housing in Australian cities in response to the need to manage urban growth boundaries and address housing affordability issues.

Deliberate policy packages focussed on encouraging economic development in specific geographical areas have come to be known as place-based deals or ‘City Deals’. Their aim is to bring together separate powers, responsibilities, funds, programs and expertise into a cohesive ‘package’ designed to reflect place-based conditions and priorities.

Within national policy frameworks, City Deals have emerged as primary vehicles for the Commonwealth to fund ‘catalytic infrastructure investments’ while also driving ‘urban governance and land use reform’.

This Brief addresses the urban governance arrangements for Australian cities, the role of long-term planning strategies and other regulation. The focus is on state and territory level strategies, current Federal government policies and infrastructure bodies.

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised with 55.3 per cent of the global population living in cities. Residents of cities across the globe are increasingly sharing common challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and globalised economic activity.