“It's business as usual to welcome new populations every year. We exist as an Alliance because, even though this level of growth has been happening for a very long time, the sequencing of infrastructure investment or service delivery—that could be mental health services as well as schools, hospitals and things like that—still hasn't caught up. Now, with the housing crisis and the housing accord, we're seeing growth on steroids, really. There is no compensation made for that rapid pace of growth and for the infrastructure and services that people will need when they arrive there.” Bronwen Clark at the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.
The National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA) was invited to appear as a witness at the Public Hearing for the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Inquiry into Australia’s Skilled Migration Program, providing a critical opportunity to elevate the experiences of Australia’s fastest-growing communities.
Representing councils on the frontline of population growth, NGAA’s CEO Bronwen Clark highlighted the essential role local governments play in welcoming new residents and supporting them through the delivery of infrastructure, services and community-building initiatives that foster strong, resilient communities.
A key focus of NGAA’s contribution was the need for better coordination between population growth, housing delivery and infrastructure investment. Growth areas are accommodating a significant share of Australia’s population growth, yet too often this growth is not matched with the timely delivery of essential infrastructure and services.
The Alliance also reinforced how skilled migration is a major contributor to economic growth in outer suburbs. However, without integrated planning, the benefits of migration are not fully realised at the local level. NGAA recommends mandated cross-government coordination so that federal migration and housing targets are synchronised with state and local infrastructure pipelines. This would ensure that the benefits of skilled migration are fully realised and that communities are not left behind.
Importantly, NGAA drew attention to the jobs deficit in many growth areas. While these communities are home to a skilled and growing population, employment opportunities have not kept pace. Supporting industry establishment and enabling local economic development is essential for improving access to jobs, strengthening productivity and reducing pressure on transport networks.
As the level of government closest to the community, local councils are often the first to experience the impacts of population growth. NGAA’s message to the Committee was clear: local government must be part of the national conversation.
Stronger coordination across Federal, State and Local governments is essential to ensure population growth is supported with the housing, infrastructure, services and jobs that communities need to thrive.
Read NGAA’s full submission here.
