NBN Co has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Urbis and Delos Delta aimed at propelling Australian residential property developers to the forefront of smart community development.
The collaboration will culminate in the release of a nationally significant prospectus titled “Accelerating Smarter Development for Australia” in early 2025.
The initiative seeks to create a comprehensive blueprint for best practices in smart development, drawing on global research, case studies, and feedback from key industry stakeholders.
This prospectus will serve as a valuable resource for developers, builders, place-makers, community members, and policy-makers, offering practical solutions and engagement opportunities in the realm of smart cities and communities.
Kamie Ang, General Manager Partnerships, New Developments at NBN Co, highlighted the current challenges faced by the industry, stating: “While there is a fair appreciation of smart tech opportunities within new developments, many developers and decision-makers are not clear about the ROI of such investment, and how to prioritise relative to other options.”
Ang emphasised the need to address the misalignment between smart tech aspirations, planning authority directives, and developers’ priorities.
The project has garnered support from leading academic institutions and industry bodies:
- Professor Chris Pettit, Director of the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW Sydney, will serve on the Steering Committee.
- Industry organisations such as the Australian Smart Communities Association, Urban Development Institute of Australia, Planning Institute of Australia, and The Property Council of Australia will participate in the Reference Group.
Clare Brown, Urbis Partner and Director, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We look forward to lending our expertise and experience to break down this idea and make smart community development more approachable for place-makers nationwide.”
NBN Co and its partners are inviting interested parties to participate in a series of digital and in-person engagements across Australia.
Workshops are scheduled in major cities throughout October and November 2024, including Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney.
This collaborative effort aims to bridge the gap between smart technology and urban development, potentially revolutionising the approach to community planning and infrastructure in Australia.