The Federal Government’s 2019-20 budget has put infrastructure investment at the forefront of the upcoming election campaign, announcing a record $100 billion in funding over the next decade.
The Government has committed to over 30 additional major projects, resulting in $23 billion of new funding. Big-ticket items include $2 billion in fast rail projects between Melbourne and Geelong, $4 billion in funding for the Urban Congestion Fund and an additional $1 billion invested into the Roads of Strategic Importance, on top of the existing $3.5 billion investment.
The rolling investment in economic and community infrastructure will focus on transport infrastructure, easing congestion with new road and rail projects, strengthening freight and supply chains, and supporting sustainable energy through projects like Snowy 2.0.
Infrastructure highlights
National
- Second round of Urban Congestion Fund (including Commuter Car Parking Fund): $3 billion.
- Roads of Strategic Importance: additional $1 billion.
- Princes Highway (New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia): $1 billion.
- Local and State Government Road Safety Package: $2.2 billion.
- Building Better Regions Fund, to support investment in community infrastructure and capacity building projects in regional areas: $202.2 million.
- National Faster Rail Agency: $14.5 million.
New South Wales
- M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace: $1.6 billion.
- M12 Motorway (additional funding): $405 million.
- Newell Highway Upgrades: $400 million.
- Hawkesbury River Third Crossing: $200 million.
- Pooncarie Road to Menindee: $12.5 million.
- Western Sydney North South Rail Link Stage 1: $3.5 billion.
Victoria
- Fast Rail Program (Geelong to Melbourne): $2 billion.
- Suburban Roads Upgrades (South Eastern Roads and Northern Roads): $1.14 billion.
- South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Rail Upgrade—Stages 2 and 3: $700 million.
- Western Highway—Complete the duplication Between Ballarat and Stawell: $360 million.
- Sealing roads in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounds: $300 million.
- Goulburn Valley Highway—Shepparton Bypass Stage 1: $208 million.
- Wellington Road Duplication: $110 million.
Queensland
- M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrade Program, including Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway: $500 million.
- Warrego Highway (additional funding): $320 million.
- Cairns Ring Road: $287.2 million.
- Gladstone Port Access Road Extension: $100 million.
South Australia
- North-South Corridor: $1.5 billion.
- South Australian Rural Roads Package: $259.8 million.
Northern Territory
- Barkly Regional Deal: $45.4 million.
- Roads of Strategic Importance: $492.3 million.
- Additional funding for Tiwi Island road upgrades: $60 million.
Australian Capital Territory
- Kings Highway corridor: $30 million.
- William Slim Drive duplication: $20 million.
Western Australia
- Tonkin Highway (Additional funding): $348.5 million.
- Oats Street/Welshpool Road/Mint Street Level Crossing Removal: $207.5 million.
- Albany Ring Road: $140 million.
- Fremantle Traffic Bridge (Swan River Crossing): $115 million.
- Bunbury Outer Ring Road (Stages 2 and 3): $122 million.
