Practice Review: Project Assessment for Local Government Advocacy

The infrastructure deficit in outer suburban growth areas has been widely acknowledged. While the continued population growth and expanding urbanisation at the fringe of cities has been widely criticised, it remains important to consider how best to address the social, economic, health and environmental issues and opportunities for current populations. The development and refinement of appraisal processes that can compare and prioritise different infrastructure types for their efficacy in addressing these issues, in a cost effective manner, provides an evidence base of advocacy and thus investment. This article provides insights drawn from a multi-criteria analysis of infrastructure projects in outer suburban growth areas, with insights into how this practice can be improved to provide a cost-effective and rational input into infrastructure prioritisation processes and investment advocacy.