Urban Growth Management In Australia – A Tale Of Three Cities

This paper provides a comparative analysis of strategic responses to urban growth by State Governments for the Melbourne, Sydney and South-East Queensland regions. The paper discusses why governments manage urban growth and then identifies common strategic directions and initiatives, and major differences in approach for the three metropolitan regions. Four key aspects of growth management are then explored in more detail – infrastructure provision and funding; urban design; partnerships and promotion; and research, monitoring and evaluation. State Governments need to give sufficient attention to, and provide adequate resourcing for, these critical dimensions of growth management, if the strategic responses are to achieve their stated objectives, and bring improved economic, social and environmental outcomes.