Transport connectivity is back in the spotlight

THE Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, has recommenced its inquiry into transport connectivity, with a public hearing to be held in Canberra tonight (October 18). CSIRO and RMIT will address the Committee.

Committee Chair, John Alexander MP, says enhanced transport connectivity is key to the economic and social development of our cities and regions.

“Greater transport connectivity will transform our cities and regions, making them economically more efficient and socially more connected,” Mr Alexander says.

“It will also raise the value of property along transport corridors and around transport nodes. Capturing the value of this increase will allow us to pay for enhanced connectivity, especially transformational projects like High Speed Rail.”

RMIT, in conjunction with CSIRO and others, is conducting research into how patterns of settlement may be changed by the development of transformational infrastructure like high speed rail, and what impact value capture may have on this development. This research has included a series of ‘Design Studios’ to test an Australian idea of urban density; and explore how a new inland city of 250,000-400,000 inhabitants might be planned.

Further information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Committee website. The Committee is expected to report by the end of the year.

Public Hearing: 5pm Tuesday 18 October 2016, Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live (audio only) at aph.gov.au/live.

Further information about the inquiry can be accessed via the Committee’s website. 

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