Propelling city growth
The urban boom is placing pressure on our cities to keep up with the increasing demand for affordable housing and social, transportation and utility infrastructure.
In the next 30 years, Australia’s population is projected to increase by 11.8 million people. That is equivalent to adding a city the size of Canberra every year. Put another way, it equates to adding a city with 150 schools, five hospitals, around 12,000 social housing properties and two correction centres.
There’s a fascinating issue around how cities are responding to massive growth and, in particular, how they should do it. In Australia, we have an infrastructure deficit. While the number is significant, the specific number is not as important as delivering outcomes to close the gap.
The challenge for the sector is to become more efficient and more creative in an environment of political uncertainty and unprecedented demand. Success requires collaboration, innovation and drive.
Thinking differently

Refocusing the infrastructure pipeline
Australia's current infrastructure pipeline is out of step with what's required for long-term social and economic prosperity. Now is the time for governments to come together with communities and industry leaders and align around a shared vision for Australia's future.

Connected Infrastructure
Connected infrastructure - using sensors, intelligent systems and other technology to allow for real-time feedback for both governments and citizens - will be central to unlocking a sustainable future.

Securing the missing benefits
The scale of Australia's infrastructure boom is unprecedented: never before has the country sought to deliver so many complex infrastructure projects in such a short space of time.

Time to act
Change is crucial to meeting Australia's growing social infrastructure needs. Estimates of the infrastructure deficit in Australia range from $300 billion to $770 billion. Pair this with our cumbersome and lengthy bidding processes and you have a problem

Accelerating build-to-rent in Australia
The build-to-rent model continues to gain pace in Australia as several projects prove the local viability of this asset class. Building on this momentum requires developers and institutional investors to develop a keen understanding of the intricacies of this emerging asset class.

Build-to-rent: unlocking Australian cities
Build-to-rent is the key to unlocking the future liveability of Australian cities. It will promote local labour mobility, house global talent and meet the demand for greater choice of housing across a variety of price points.

Build-to-rent: stimulating recovery, ensuring resilience
Build-to-rent helps drive economic productivity, and with the right government intervention, could not only play a key role in Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19, but also ensure the future liveability and resilience of our cities.
Views from our team
Quick thinking on rebooting the economy from COVID-19
Views from David Donnelly
Market-led proposals assisting the COVID-19 recovery
Views from Penny Alexander
Observations on the infrastructure construction sector in COVID-19
Views from David Donnelly
How are demographics shaping our city?
This scenario requires reconfiguring the metropolitan area of Melbourne. Could a multi-hub city be the answer? And what would need to be done? David Donnelly, Head of Infrastructure & Transport at Allens, talks to Bernard Salt, Managing Director of The Demographics Group about how to achieve a bigger, better Melbourne.
Key themes and challenges facing infrastructure investments in Australia
David Donnelly, Head of Infrastructure & Transport, recently took the hot seat with Adrian Dwyer, CEO, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA), to discuss key themes and challenges in the infrastructure sector. The conversation is driven from key findings of IPA's annual Australian Infrastructure Investment Report, which is a gauge of the investment appetite, challenges and potential stimulus for infrastructure investment in Australia.
Working with our clients
Case Study: Small-scale and smart
The Casey Hospital expansion cost less than a quarter of a new hospital and delivered all required infrastructure.

Case study: Commonwealth gold
The Gold Coast Light Rail project has become the model for the majority of PPP augmentations in Australia.

Case study: Arrested development
The complex Ravenhall Prison PPP was world-leading for its service model and outcomes focus.
