FACTBase Bulletin 21 - Connectivity Infrastructure: Implications for Perth's Competitiveness

This paper argues that meeting the infrastructure requirements for connectivity is vital in ensuring Perth's competitiveness.

Key Findings

• Connectivity infrastructure provides for efficient flows of information, money and people, and ensures high levels of integration with the global community.
• Measures of competitiveness are generally based on pragmatic indicators such as air transport infrastructure and connectivity; public transportation infrastructure and internal connectivity and; internet telecommunications infrastructure, use and connectivity.
• Air infrastructure in Perth is improving rapidly as the migrated population expands. Furthermore, air infrastructure in Perth has increased Fly-In/Fly-Out mining operations, where his opens up intra-national and regional connections.
• Perth needs to improve its internal public transport networks in order to improve its overall competiveness in regards to public transport infrastructure. Overall, Perth does perform favourably in comparison to other international cities.
• Australians, including Perth, have access to slower internet speeds than a large proportion of international countries. Perth would benefit from a national improvement in internet speeds and connections in terms of increasing its competitiveness and connectivity potential.