02 May 2013
The recent proposals to lift the role of the Federal Government in planning cities misunderstand the role State Governments play in transport, planning and investment in our cities, says the Urban Taskforce.
The State Governments are the level of government in Australia that determines public transport, planning for growth, location of jobs and the provision of infrastructure, says Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson. The Federal Government needs to distribute funds to the states but should leave the city building tasks to the State Government.
If the Federal Government becomes too interventionist in city planning it leaves a real confusion over responsibilities. Just as it is inappropriate for State Governments to delegate city making to Local Government, its also inappropriate for State Governments to rely on Federal Governments.
Cities are vital to Australias future and one level of government should drive our cities and that is the State Government level.
