$9.6bn commitment for vital infrastructure projects across Australia

The Australian Government has announced that it will be committing $9.6 billion on vital infrastructure projects across the nation through the 2022-23 Federal Budget. 

Highlights of the funding commitments include: 

• $300 million for Western Sydney Roads Package and $500 million for the High Speed Rail Authority 
• $2.2 billion for the Suburban Rail Link in Victoria 
• $586.4 million of additional funding for a major upgrade of the Bruce Highway to widen a 13-kilometre stretch through Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs 
• $1.5 billion for upgrading important freight highways, sealing the Tanami, and upgrading Central Arnhem Road, as well as the Dukes, Stuart and Augusta Highways in South Australia 
• $540 million to upgrade Tasmania’s important road corridors, including the Bass Highway, The Tasman Highway and the East and West Tamar Highways 
• $125 million funding to help build an electric bus network for Perth 

The Federal Government will be working in partnership with State and Territory Governments to deliver the best value for taxpayers’ dollars as well as the best outcomes for Australians. 

“Sound and planned infrastructure investment in Australia creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity for our cities and our regions. 

“It’s about making journeys quicker, but also making sure people can get home to their families safely. 

“Through our first Budget, my team is getting on with the job of delivering projects in consultation with Infrastructure Australia and all levels of Government to make a real difference to the lives of Australians,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. 

Each state and territory have been allocated funding from this significant investment to deliver critical infrastructure. 

$2.57 billion for Victoria 

This funding commitment includes $330 million to upgrade important road infrastructure, including: 

• Camerons Lane Interchange at Beveridge: $150 million 
• Barwon Heads Road Upgrade – Stage 2: $125 million 
• Ison Road Overpass: $57 million 

Thousands of jobs are set to be created through the Camerons Lane Interchange as well as unlock the potential of Melbourne’s north all the while enabling the State Government to deliver a full diamond interchange with the Hume Highway. 

The second stage of the Barwon Heads Road duplication, on the other hand, will provide communities with quicker and safer travels to and from home. Lastly, the Ison Road Overpass will provides better access for residents to surrounding areas and help alleviate congestion in central Werribee. 

The Budget for Victoria will also include $2.2 billion for the delivery of the Suburban Rail Loop. 

“Investing in the Suburban Rail Loop is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the way Victoria grows. 

“Victoria is projected to grow to 11.2 million residents by 2056 and Greater Melbourne to reach around 9 million people – similar size to London today. 

“This visionary project is needed to keep Victoria moving in the face of this expected growth,” Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

$2.5 billion for the Northern Territory 

Funding allocated for the Northern Territory will include: 

• $1.5 billion in planned equity to support the construction of common user marine infrastructure within the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, providing a pathway to a decarbonised economy by helping emerging clean energy industries 
• $440 million in planned equity to support the development of regional logistic hubs 
• $350 million of additional funding to seal the Tanami Road and upgrading Central Arnhem Road 
• $332 million towards the NT Strategic Roads Package 

Construction of a common user marine infrastructure at Middle Arm will help open new export opportunities in the Territory for commodities – including green hydrogen and critical minerals – along with associated downstream opportunities for onshore processing and low-emission manufacturing. 

The additional funding for the Tanami Road and Central Arnhem Road will continue delivering strategic upgrades that will support Indigenous and remote communities and businesses while also improving flood immunity and reliability. 

“These investments will ensure local communities have year-round access to the services they need. 

“The Australian Government is working closely with state and territory governments to deliver projects that bring most benefit to communities around Australia. 

“Through its first Budget, our Government is getting on with the job working collaboratively with all levels of Government and in consultation with Infrastructure Australia to deliver projects that will make a real difference to the lives of all Australians,” Minister Catherine King said. 

$1.4 billion for Queensland 

Through the 2022-23 Federal Budget, Queensland will be allocated $1.4 billion to deliver vital infrastructure projects across the State. 

The significant funding commitment includes: 

• $586.4 million of additional funding for a major upgrade of the Bruce Highway through Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs 
• $200 million to upgrade the Bruce Highway between Dohles Rocks Road and Anzac Avenue, expanding the road from six to eight lanes and building on/off-ramps at the southern end 

Some funding will also be allocated for the completion of detailed planning works for the next stage of the Ipswich Motorway. 

“Our Bruce Highway investment will help locals across Brisbane’s north spend less time on the road and more time at home. 

“We are getting on with the job of delivering the right infrastructure in the right place to help ensure Queenslanders spend less time on the roads and get home safely every trip,” Minister Catherine King said. 

$1 billion for New South Wales 

The billion-dollar funding commitment for New South Wales will deliver vital infrastructure projects that will not only improve suburban liveability, but will also create jobs and opportunities for new skills as well as help build a better future in regional and urban NSW. 

This funding includes $300 million for the Western Sydney Roads Package, which will provide: 

• $50 million for planning and preparatory works for the Castlereach Connection 
• $37 million for Richmond Road planning 
• $75 million for planning and early works in the North West Growth Corridor 

The Australian Government is focused on making high speed rail a priority by introducing legislation that will establish the High Speed Rail Authority. 

The 2022-23 Budget for New South Wales also includes a $500 million investment to start corridor acquisition, planning and early works for high speed rail connections between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle. 

“Recent months have been a sobering reminder of the need to deliver infrastructure planning and investment that take flood and other extreme weather events into account, making our commitment to the Castlereagh Connection particularly vital. 

“The NSW Government’s projections show the population of the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley growing by some 200,000 by 2040, making better transport connections a necessity. 

“Our Government has a vision of a brighter future for our regions, with fast rail connections offering people more choice of where to live and work,” Minister Catherine King said. 

$685 million for Tasmania 

The Australian Government is delivering its election commitments for Tasmania through a funding injection of $685 million for vital infrastructure projects. 

The significant funding commitment for Tasmania will include: 

• $540 million to upgrade Tasmania’s important road corridors, including the Bass Highway, the Tasman Highway and the East and West Tamar Highways 
• $35 million for the TransLink transport hub at Launceston Airport 
• $60 million towards the upgrade of the runway at Hobart Airport 

The Australian and Tasmanian Governments will work closely to target the highest-priority locations to receive road upgrades that will improve travel times and safety. 

“We will work in partnership with the Tasmanian and local governments to deliver these commitments, and we will ensure we consider Hobart’s congestion needs in our overall approach to road funding in Tasmania,” Minister Catherine King said. 

$670 million for Western Australia 

The $670 million investment committed through the 2022-23 Federal Budget will deliver vital infrastructure projects across the State such as an electric bus network for Perth. 

The funding will include: 

• $125 million for electric bus charging infrastructure, which will be matched by the Western Australian Government through the local manufacture of 130 new buses 
• A share of a new $1.5 billion Freight Highway Upgrade Program, which will deliver priority upgrades to the interstate Tanami Road and other nationally significant freight routes 

Funding for the electric bus network for Perth will deliver upgrades to bus depots as well as install charging infrastructure. This investment will ensure that the bus depots are future ready. 

The first of several locally manufactured buses are expected to start rolling off from the assembly line in 2024-25. These buses will be used in the Perth CBD and the remainder will service the Perth metropolitan area. 

Local workers will build Perth’s next generation public transport. More than 100 jobs are set to be created through this initiative and over 300 existing workers will transition to jobs in cleaner technology. 

“Our Government will upgrade key road corridors across the state, getting locals home more safely and more quickly. 

“Our commitment to bus charging infrastructure recognises Western Australia’s strong local manufacturing industry and position as a global leader in battery meterial,” Minister Catherine King said. 

$660 million for South Australia 

Through the 2022-23 Budget, the Australian Government is committing $660 million towards critical infrastructure in South Australia. This includes: 

• $60 million to build on and off ramps for the Southern Expressway at Majors Road to reduce traffic on Brighton Road 
• $200 million to reduce congestion in Adelaide’s south and improve road safety by removing Marion Road Level Crossing and upgrading Marion Road between Cross Road and Anzac Highway 
• A share of a new $1.5 billion Freight Highway Upgrade Program that will deliver priority upgrades to the interstate Tanami Road and other nationally significant routes including Dukes, Stuart and Augusta Highways in the State 

These projects will help remove major blockages for locals on their daily commutes, improve safety for motorists and pedestrians as well as create business opportunities across the region by providing improved transport flows and better amenities. 

“Good roads are the lifeblood of communities across SA – and improving safety and travel time is really important for local families and the economy. 

“Our Government will upgrade important road corridors across the state, getting locals home more safely and more quickly. 

“These significant infrastructure projects will help future proof the region and give residents and businesses back their time – less time stuck in traffic and more time doing the things they want to do,” Minister Catherine King said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); Infrastructure Magazine