A record 44 new infrastructure projects have been added to Infrastructure Australia’s updated Priority List. This adds to a $59 billion project pipeline, that delivers 180 investment opportunities in total.
Key focuses for this year’s List include providing opportunities to develop export gateways, supporting the economic development of remote and regional communities, and expanding the role of renewable energy in the National Electricity Market.
With an infrastructure-led economic recovery front and centre on the Government’s agenda in 2020, the infrastructure industry got busy with key shovel ready projects kicking off.
More than 10 projects, including the M4 Motorway Upgrade in NSW and METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line in WA, have now moved off the Priority List and into the construction phase. No doubt this activity will help our economy to keep ticking this year.
Infrastructure Australia Chief Executive, Romilly Madew said the 2021 list is a comprehensive overview of nationally significant infrastructure needs, providing an investment roadmap to guide Australia’s economic recovery and improve quality of life as we continue to absorb and respond to the shocks of COVID-19.
Key priorities:
National
National projects include Melbourne to Adelaide freight rail improvements and national road connectivity and condition works along the Outback Way, the only direct route that connects Western Australia to Queensland.
NSW
The priorities in New South Wales are focused on congestion, population growth and building better freight infrastructure. New priorities include: Parkes Bypass Connectivity, Prospect Highway Upgrade, Parramatta Outer Ring Road capacity works, Heathcote Road capacity and safety, M1 Pacific Motorway Byron Bay interchange capacity, Mount Ousley Interchange capacity, Newcastle Airport capacity expansion, and the Western Sydney Freight Line.
QLD
The priorities in Queensland are focused on safety and capacity with South East Queensland level crossing improvements, Cairns Western Arterial Road capacity and Ipswich to Springfield transport capacity upgrades.
SA
South Australia’s priorities include Adelaide’s Outer Ring Route capacity, SA road network maintenance and Adelaide level crossing improvements.
TAS
Priorities for Tasmania are focused squarely on upgrades for the Hobart Port precinct and Port of Burnie capacity.
VIC
In a win for the Port of Melbourne, AI lists rail access to Webb Dock Rail as a priority.
WA
Western Australia’s priorities include the Armadale Road Bridge, Bunbury Outer Ring Road, regional freight network capacity, Armadale, Midland and Fremantle rail lines capacity, and improvements to level crossings in Perth.
