COVID-19 has abruptly and overwhelmingly impacted on the way Australians live, work and travel. Research for the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) by Deloitte Australia shows that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Australia’s capital cities and stimulus projects are needed to kick-start our national recovery.

The CCCLM is calling for $2.8 billion in stimulus projects for Australia’s capital cities to support jobs and economic recovery. CCCLM Chair, Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor said the combined stimulus package across the eight capital cities would contribute $4.6 billion to Australia’s GDP and create nearly 12,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.

“Capital cites are the engine rooms of Australia’s economy and cannot be allowed to decline. Our cities foster economic growth as well as social, cultural and recreational activity. These one-off investments in our capital cities would provide long-term economic dividends for the nation’s economy,” Lord Mayor Verschoor said.

“City councils are able to deliver these important shovel-ready infrastructure projects quickly, giving an immediate boost to our city economies and contributing to our national recovery.

“A tailored, one-off package to drive the economic recovery of Australia’s capital cities will boost confidence within our communities and send a strong message that our cities are open for business”.

City stimulus projects that require immediate funding to proceed include:

  • Adelaide’s urban revitalisation projects, focused on building amenity and connectivity in the city of Adelaide, including a $55 million investment in the Adelaide aquatic centre.
  • Brisbane’s new $10 million library for Everton Park, $32 million towards bikeways and paths, $230 million in road safety and congestion busting and $15 million grants to clubs for social infrastructure.
  • Darwin’s tourism infrastructure, including the $140 million Lameroo Beach Project.
  • Hobart’s recreation and social cohesion projects, including the $23 million Doone Kennedy Aquatic Centre
  • Melbourne’s $150 million redevelopment of Central Pier in Docklands, delivering a new City Library, and $86.5 million on redeveloping the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal.
  • Perth’s $185.4 million on urban revitalisation projects, including the City Centre Retail Core.
  •  Sydney’s $100 million on the Waterloo Estate Renewal as well as $34 million the pedestrianisation of George Street.

Now is the time for Federal investment in capital cities that will drive national recovery efforts. Capital city councils stand ready to manage and deliver the stimulus to get our economy moving again.