There are stories in this week’s paper about the City Deal, including some immediate benefits of regional collaboration.
It’s a lot of money, with a lot of zeros. But it’s not the amount which is the most important break-through of this deal.
With a forward commitment of funds towards infrastructure over the next 20 years, it means cities such as Logan will be able to better plan a way forward.
There’s little doubt this region will see massive population growth during that time, which will require massive energy into planning and development.
To effectively do this, those who are mapping the outcomes will now have a good idea of the boundaries and limitations.
They’ll also have a good idea of how the infrastructure will pan out as a region. Councils have always tried to work together when planning ahead, but there is often an element of self-interest – as there should be.
We as residents should expect our mayor to fight for our share of the economic pie, as he is vowing to do in the lead up to the coming federal budget.
But it is nice to see that the City Deal has taken into consideration the needs of 11 different councils before letting engineers loose on the outcome.
