The majority of Australians rate the country’s broadband as poor and believe not enough is being done to meet infrastructure needs, according to a global infrastructure study.

As part of the Global Advisor Infrastructure Index, research firm Ipsos interviewed 18,517 people from 26 countries between August and September. In Australia, 1000 people aged between 16 and 64 were asked a series of questions about their attitudes toward existing infrastructure. Data was weighted to match the population profile.

More than half (59%) of Australians are unsatisfied with current efforts to meet the country’s infrastructure needs, with 70% saying investment in infrastructure is vital to future economic growth ­– this figure rises to 76% in regional Australia.

Asked about their overall view of public infrastructure, Australian respondents were lukewarm, with 33% satisfied, and 29% dissatisfied – the remainder said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, or didn’t know. 

Notably, satisfaction with high speed broadband in Australia was among the lowest in the world – 53% rated it as poor or very poor.

Water and sewerage elicited positive responses, with 67% rating this infrastructure as “good”, as did airports (69% “good”). Rail was also more positive than negative. Major roads performed better than local roads (47% “good” compared to 43% “good”), and citizens were evenly split on the effectiveness of Australia’s flood defences. 

There was a clear divide between metropolitan and regional Australia – those living in regional areas were less likely to rate most areas of infrastructure positively, although they viewed airports, new housing supply, energy generation infrastructure, and water supply and sewerage in a slightly more positive light.

The survey also provides some interesting insights into attitudes to possible ways of funding infrastructure improvement: 36% say they would support the Federal Government borrowing money, with 22% opposed and 42% unsure. There is far greater opposition to the idea of foreign investment in new infrastructure than there is support (39% against versus 27% support) if it means that projects can be delivered more quickly.

This makes Australia one of the least open countries to foreign investment, with the global average of 45% in support. In fact, of the 26 countries in the survey, Australia ranked 24th on foreign investment.

Just under half, at 49%, agree that Australia has a poor record for getting national infrastructure projects right (10% disagree).

Commenting on the findings, Ipsos Social Research Institute Director – NSW, David Elliott, says the community’s opposition to foreign investment has likely been influenced by government and media messaging.

“On the borrowing front, we are continually hearing from the Federal Government about the need to manage spending and government debt, so perhaps this is driving the lack of support for borrowing to fund infrastructure,” Elliott says.

“Regardless, the community is clear on the desire to be heard and for local communities to be involved in decision making. To help Australia build more and better infrastructure, our leaders need to consult with citizens, customers and communities to understand the things that matter and, of course, deliver on the promises and potential.”

The full report can be read here.