“Innovation will deliver diversity and diversity will drive productivity.” 

This simple message, shared by outgoing CEO of Health Infrastructure NSW Rebecca Wark, echoed around the room at the National Infrastructure Awards earlier this month.

Conjuring an image of a triangle to describe the interdependencies of innovation, diversity and productivity, Rebecca argued that we must tackle all three points together to meet our trickiest challenges and capture the full multiplying benefits.

I agree and, not coincidently, I’ve encountered three examples that show the full power of the triangle this month.

For the first time, Consult Australia joined with our members at the Construction Industry Leadership Forum (CILF) conference. CILF was established in 2017 by the Australian Constructors Association and the NSW and Victorian governments to improve the effectiveness and value of the procurement and delivery of government infrastructure programs. 

The conference’s hot topic was modern methods of construction, from digital by default to deconstruction, modular to advanced materials. These innovations can undoubtedly lift productivity. But the simple fact that a broader diversity of views was represented through Consult Australia members brings the Forum’s ambition a step closer.

Just a week before, I was honoured to sit on a panel for the launch of the NSW Government’s Decarbonising Infrastructure Delivery Policy. This truly world-leading policy sets expectations for NSW Government infrastructure delivery agencies to measure and manage upfront carbon in public infrastructure projects. 

Consult Australia has been proud to support the development of this work, which is a fantastic example of collaborative policy development that canvased a diversity of views. Now, with the policy set, we must turn our attention to industry upskilling and capacity building so businesses can meet the policy’s objectives, experiment and innovate, and realise the benefits of #infrastructurenetzero.

Finally, the much-anticipated National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program (IIP), flagged at Collab X in February, have been released by the Australian Government. The strategy, backed by the IIP’s ten-year procurement plan and investments of $330 billion over the decade to 2033-34, provides greater visibility and clarity to help businesses plan, invest and build their capability. This historic investment can be a catalyst for innovation, attracting fresh thinking and boosting productivity, while elevating our national security.

Decarbonisation, defence investment and modern methods of construction… Three very different challenges, but one winning formula: innovation, diversity and productivity.