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Congress opened with a discussion about the role growth areas are playing in Australia's economic future. While population growth remains a defining characteristic of these communities, the session encouraged delegates to look beyond housing numbers and recognise the increasingly important contribution growth areas make to productivity, employment and industry.
Mayor Terresa Lynes welcomed delegates and reflected on the opportunities and responsibilities that come with managing some of Australia's fastest-growing communities. Her remarks set the tone for a day focused on moving beyond the narrative of growth pressures and towards a recognition of the value growth areas create.
Colleen Dowling examined the current state of Australian manufacturing and the factors shaping its future. Manufacturing remains one of Australia's most significant industries, employing more than 900,000 people and contributing strongly to exports and investment. While the sector faces challenges including rising energy costs, workforce shortages and an ageing labour force, it has also undergone a substantial transformation, becoming increasingly focused on advanced production, innovation and higher-value products. Colleen highlighted the importance of attracting and developing skilled workers, technicians and tradespeople, noting that future industrial growth will depend heavily on the availability of talent and workforce capability.
Michael Satterley explored the role of industrial land as a form of productivity infrastructure. Drawing on national land supply and business intelligence data, he demonstrated that growth areas contain the majority of industrial land supply across Australia's largest cities and continue to attract a significant share of new industrial development. Rather than focusing solely on how much land is zoned for industry, Michael encouraged councils to understand how much land is genuinely development-ready, which industries occupy existing industrial precincts and what factors help businesses thrive. Access to labour, transport networks and future population growth all emerged as important competitive advantages for growth areas.
Together, the presentations painted a compelling picture of growth areas as economic engines of our capital cities. The session reinforced that long-term prosperity will rely on strategic investment in industrial land, workforce development and infrastructure that allows businesses and communities to grow together.
