On 13 October 2026, the Australia-China Local Government Exchange Delegation, organised by the Melbourne Centre for Cities at the University of Melbourne, visited the Urban Planning & Design Institute of Shenzhen (UPDIS). The delegation comprised members from local governments of multiple Australian cities, including Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Wyndham, and Belmont, covering expertise in urban planning, economic development, transport, and international relations. UPDIS extended a warm welcome to the delegation, and the two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including Shenzhen's urban development journey, green development practices, and smart city construction.


Urban development in China and Australia faces the shared challenge of adapting to future lifestyles and harnessing the potential of new technologies. Meanwhile, climate change, extreme weather events and carbon emission constraints are placing increasing demands on the resilience, liveability and sustainability of cities in both countries. Both countries share common priorities in advancing green and low-carbon infrastructure, fostering inclusive and vibrant communities, promoting urban renewal and smart governance, and strengthening climate resilience, creating significant opportunities for inter-city exchanges and cooperation.
During the exchange, the Australian delegates delved into topics such as public space quality control, green building technology applications, and urban data governance. The delegation spoke highly of Shenzhen's achievements in smart city development and digital governance, recognizing the significant reference value of these experiences for Australian cities. In addition, the delegation visited the Shenzhen State-owned International Exchange Hub/Xili Sub-district Internationalisation Service and Exchange Centre, and expressed appreciation for the role of planning and design as a bridge empowering the global outreach of enterprises.


This exchange was a key activity of the Australia-China Local Government Exchange program aimed at deepening understanding and cooperation between local governments of Australia and China, and fostering mutual learning in urban governance. Both sides expressed expectation to build on this exchange as an opportunity to establish closer ties and further expand collaboration.