Every day we hear something about of great economy, the housing shortage, the port's bulid up, oil prices, public transportation, et cetera.
In NSW the unemployment rate is over 7%, and we have issues getting commodities to port, so China can import it. we need an extra port in this state, NSW. i see the economic benifits of an extra port in the state, and nation in an economic perspective.
If the NSW government floated a company on the ASX, and matched every share the size of this company would be huge. if this company were to bulid a high speed rail network from Sydney, to every major town, port, and mine whilst building a port of it's own.
if there port happened to be the largest port in the world, exporting 25 shiploads of coal per day, a work force may need to work around the port. if the government bought the land around the port, and developed it into houseing, and industrial industries. where are the people going to come from? well the people living in the NSW Houseing Commission estates could move up to the port, where jobs have been established. people who are unemployed in the NSW HC could be evicted from their estates, since they don't contribute to the economy in a productive sence, and they would be forced to pay off their house to the developer over a period. the HC could, once people have moved out, develop the land in areas like Sydeny, and Newcastle and sell the land for a profit.
The port development area could be built as a ecofriendly city, with limmited private transportation, and effective public transportion system, a new university, schools, a publishing house for all works, the world's most advanced broadband connection, a broadsheet newspaper delivered every day, expensive drug based products (beer, and cigarettes, et cetera).
this could be the economic oppertunity for NSW, the dissolution of the Houseing commission, and the opperation of a private/public infastucature building company.
your thoughts?

Instead of spending untold billions on building a new city from scratch why not invest in the regional centres we already have?

Regional centres like Orange, Young and the like are screaming for new people, but their populations keep getting smaller and older. This is because there isn't the jobs and services required to maintain the current populations.

So lets see how we can get those jobs back in those towns, why not move a couple government departments?

We need a national referendum "Do you want to keep the old State system of government in Australia."
Along with eight Premiers, Eight Premier Departments, Eight different Legal systems and Policing Authorities.
Eight Health,Ambulance,and Fire services.
Eight different medical,legal and Educational services that will not allow the qualified from one state to work in another.
The cost of running eight different systems is so antique that any one who returns to Australia in centuries hence will laugh at how we have all been conned into believing that our system was even used.
The quicker we come to our senses and adopt the Ken Thomas plan (founder of TNT transport.)of 40 regional super Councils that collect taxes on behalf of the central government who then redistibute the wealth as happens currently but without the greedy State Premiers thinking it is their own personal monies as happens today.

Brock so what you seem to be advocating is turning 8 states into 40. How exactly is this meant to be cutting down on red tape and government again?

You're also talking about practically writing a new constitution. There are so many more issues involved with than just the creation of super councils.

I agree that both the Federal and State Governments should be actively pursuing a regional development program. Our cities are overcrowded and inefficient. Some incentives would obviously be needed to encourage the sheepish city dwellers to consider a move to the country. Perhaps lower tax rates for people in the bush. Relocating Government departments to regional areas would also be helpful in attracting young graduates and professionals.

For too long our politicians have encouraged unfettered population growth without any planning or even justification. It's time for a bit of leadership and vision from the top. What ever happened to nation building?

James & Dresdener, I couldn't agree more. It would add a bit of equity into government spending, as well.

Currently the capital cities act like vast sponges, sucking all the wealth, produced by the whole state, to themselves, to feed the huge bureaucracies the states have concentrated there.
The wealth is then followed by the country kids, when there is no wealth left, to employ them at home.

Not only would it help the bush, but it just may prevent the cities becoming completely unlivable.