Housing affordability emerged as one of the key issues facing Australian cities in today’s meeting of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.

Lord mayors of Australia’s capital cities and peak industry associations met in Canberra today to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing cities, and to identify key priority actions for the Federal Government to secure the productive, sustainable and liveable future of urban Australia.

Among these, leading local government and industry representatives agreed the Federal Government can help improve liveability through better housing affordability. This entails “reigning in living costs associated with housing by enhancing the supply of a variety of dwelling types in appropriate locations, to match demand for housing generated by an ageing population, key workers and families.”

Congestion and emissions were likewise nominated as key issues which would most benefit from Federal Government engagement.
The council agreed productivity can be raised by tackling transport congestion – “integrated, reliable transport systems are needed, incorporating freight and passenger movements across modes; road, rail, bus, air and port, walking and cycling.”

Sustainability should be promoted by reducing greenhouse gas emissions – improving the energy efficiency performance of buildings, especially existing buildings, and accelerating the supply of low emission and renewable energy, the council said.