An independent commission should be set up to guide infrastructure investment in Northern Ireland, surveyors have said.
The recommendation is one of a series outlined by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) ahead of May’s Assembly election.
The RICS’s Northern Ireland manifesto says the commission could steer investment on schools, hospitals, roads, railways, energy and other infrastructure projects.
The society, which represents 4,000 members in Northern Ireland, claimed such a body would help ensure billions of pounds of investment was made in the “best interests of the local economy and society”.
RICS Northern Ireland chairman Andrew Tough said: "Northern Ireland's infrastructure is ageing and in need of significant upgrading so that the region can remain competitive and attractive to inward investment.
The manifesto, which is entitled Investing 4 Growth, also calls for:
The introduction of domestic water charges and case-specific use of public-private partnerships to fund infrastructure investment
A five-year regional delivery plan of high-value public infrastructure projects, strategically prioritised, including timetables for delivery, with funding identified and delivery partners outlined
The development of professional degree-level apprenticeships in partnership with professional bodies, industry and academia
The introduction of letting and management agent regulation in the private rented sector to drive up standards
Vacant rates relief for new build or upgraded office development for a set temporary period, or until full occupancy is reached
Incentives to encourage multi-product and alternative use of land to deter the risk of land abandonment
The RICS is launching its document at Stormont today.