The Federal Government has released the nation's first ever dedicated sustainable population strategy which sets out the framework, backed by new funding for a sustainable Australia.

 

The Sustainable Australia - Sustainable Communities, A Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia focus is on population change rather than setting arbitrary targets, driving growth to regional areas by attracting skilled workers and more houses to where job opportunities are, and alleviating pressures in outer suburbs of major capital cities by supporting more local jobs.

The Strategy outlines the measures announced in the 2011-12 Budget including:

  • $100 million for a Suburban Jobs initiative to drive more job opportunities within easy reach of where people live in the outer suburbs of Australia's major capital cities. This initiative will support local and state governments to deliver employment precincts, manufacturing hubs and multifunction developments close to residential areas in growing outer suburbs;


  • $81.4 million in new investments in the National Urban Policy to help cities become more productive, sustainable and liveable, including $61.4 million for a smart managed motorways trial to cut motorway congestion and bring mums and dads home from work faster, and $20 million for a Liveable Cities program to invest in the development of urban renewal projects that improve access to jobs and housing, enhancing the liveability of our cities;


  • $29.2 million for a new Sustainable Regional Development initiative to support better sustainability planning in regions experiencing high growth through strategic assessments under national environmental law in up to seven additional regional and coastal growth areas;


  • $11.5 million for a new Promoting Regional Living Program to support Australia's regions to market themselves as an alternative to living in a major capital city; and


  • $10.1 million for a new Measuring Sustainability program to develop a set of sustainability indicators that can be factored in at a regional level to better inform decision makers.


The Strategy is available to view at http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/population/index.html