With Australia working towards the NationalHousing Accord target of 1.2 million new well-located homes over five years,and the Australian Government’s new $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fundputting fresh focus on the roads, pipes, power, drainage and transport linksneeded to unlock new housing, local government is under growing pressure tohelp deliver homes while planning for the communities that will live in them.
For the first time, the National GrowthAreas Alliance will bring together local government leaders from Australia’semerging and established growth areas to share practical experience on what ittakes to manage rapid growth well.
The 2026 Emerging Growth Areas Forum willbe held on Tuesday 4 August at Hume City Council Town Hall in Broadmeadows,alongside the NGAA National Congress. The Forum will connect Mayors, Councillors,CEOs and senior council officers who are facing rapid population growth, majorresidential development and rising expectations from current and futurecommunities.
NGAA Chair Mayor Terresa Lynes said thetiming of the Forum reflects the reality facing councils across the country.
“The housing challenge is no longer adistant policy issue. It is being felt every day in the fastest growing partsof Australia, where councils are working hard to support new homes while alsoplanning the infrastructure, services and community facilities that make thosehomes part of a liveable community,” Mayor Lynes said.
“This new national investment inhousing-enabling infrastructure is welcome, but funding alone will not deliverthe kind of communities Australians need. Councils need the capacity, evidence,partnerships and practical know-how to turn housing ambition into places wherepeople can thrive.”
The Forum will focus on the practicalquestions that sit behind housing delivery, including organisational readiness,infrastructure sequencing, service planning, working with developers, buildingcommunity trust and making the case for State and Federal investment.
NGAA CEO Bronwen Clark said the Forumrecognises that many councils are entering a period of growth that others havebeen navigating for decades.
“Local government is being asked to helpdeliver more housing at pace, but good growth is about more than land releaseand approvals. It is about thinking ahead to the roads, drainage, schools,early years services, libraries, sporting facilities, public transport andcommunity spaces that people will need from day one,” Ms Clark said.
“This is the right moment to bring localgovernment leaders together because the pressure to deliver new homes has neverbeen greater, and the consequences of getting growth wrong last forgenerations. Councils that have been through this journey have valuable lessonsto share with those now facing the same challenges.”
The 2026 Emerging Growth Areas Forum willdraw on the experience of growth councils from across Australia, includingestablished outer metropolitan growth areas and councils now preparing forrapid population change.
Sessions will cover organisational capacityfor rapid growth, leading communities through change, working with developers,planning services for future populations and the push and pull of advocacy.
The Forum will be held from 10.00 am to4.30 pm on Tuesday 4 August 2026 at Hume City Council Town Hall, Broadmeadows,followed by networking.
Registration is now open for mayors,councillors, council CEOs, general managers and senior executives from councilsexperiencing rapid population growth or preparing for future growth.
