Australians in outer suburbs have far worse access to schools, healthcare and public transport, report finds

Research shows scale of infrastructure divide between growth areas and establishes suburbs, with many people forced to drive everywhere'

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One-in-five Australians living in outer metropolitan areas face inadequate access to schools, healthcare, third spaces and other basic infrastructure, a new report from the National Growth Areas Alliance has revealed.

When compared to established communities in capital cities, growth areas on the city's fringes have 48% lower rates of access to healthcare and 21% lower access to education, as well as important third spaces across arts and culture (44% less) and sports and leisure facilities (68% less), the report found.