A report by the House of Representatives Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities on the inquiry into the role of smart ICT in the design and planning of infrastructure released by the Government this week has revealed Smart ICT has the capacity to transform the design, construction and management of infrastructure assets, the management and use of existing assets, and the operation of transport, communications, energy and utility systems.
The central recommendation of the report is the formation of a Smart Infrastructure Task Force – based on the UK model – to provide national coordination between governments, industry and researchers.
The Committee has also recommended that:
- The Smart Infrastructure Task Force be given responsibility for the national coordination of protocols and standards relating to infrastructure data and the development of an objects library.
- The National Archives of Australia be given the resources to oversee the development of a whole-of-government infrastructure data strategy.
- Government gives greater recognition to the capacity of new technologies and systems to enhance the operation of emergency management and disaster planning and remediation.
- Government recognises public safety communications systems as critical infrastructure.
A copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee's website or from the Secretariat on (02) 6277 2352.