Politicians and policy makers must take a bold new approach and develop a "Prosperity Blueprint" for the Northern Territory in order to secure its future, according to the Property Council of Australia.
The Property Council's NT Executive Director, Raquel Nicholls-Skene, made the call while launching the organisation's Turbo-charging the Top End campaign in the lead-up to the NT election.
"It is time to take action. We cannot just assume that things will continue to grow in the economy without good planning," Ms Nicholls-Skene says.
"It is time to act to ensure that all Territorians can be part of the success in the NT. We must have a Prosperity Blueprint to protect our liveability and competitive advantages."
The key goals outlined in the Property Council's election 2012 advocacy agenda are:
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Strive for growth – a population for Darwin of 500,000 by 2050, with a clear strategy for migration combined with plans for land use and infrastructure planning
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Create and launch a 'Prosperity Blueprint' – provide certainty to industry and the community by insulating planning and infrastructure investment from shor-term political thinking
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Secure Darwin's energy and water future – attract investment to the NT by protecting business from unreliable power and water supply
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Cement Darwin as the 'Gateway to Asia' – establish long-term drivers in the NT economy, working in parallel with the property industry
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Reform inefficient taxes and charges – reduce unnecessary cost to investment by removing inefficient taxes and red tape
Media enquiries:
Raquel Nicholls-Skene
NT Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Ph: 0403 023 425
