Infrastructure Australia Submission

On 11 November 2011, the NSW Government made a submission to Infrastructure Australia in response to a call for projects for assessment and evaluation for the national infrastructure pipeline and possible budget considerations.

NSW put forward three key priority projects to the Australian Government for consideration in this submission: 

	The Pacific Highway Upgrade A commitment is sought from the Australian Government to finish the Upgrade by 2016, at a cost of $7.7 billion, with a continuation of the prevailing 80:20 Commonwealth to State funding ratio. This will see the completion of a four lane divided highway between Sydney and Brisbane.
	The North West Rail Link This proposal outlines the project’s status, objectives and benefits with a view to seeking funding support, including the reallocation of $2.1 billion in Commonwealth funding from the Parramatta Epping Rail Link to the North West Rail Link. The development of the North West Rail Link will vastly improve the connectivity to a region that is currently poorly served by public transport.
	Port Botany and Sydney Airport Transport Improvement Plan The efficient and effective movement of freight and people to and from the Port Botany and Sydney Airport precinct are critical to the State and national economy, productivity growth and ongoing investment and are of national significance. The plan will develop road and rail options for delivery as soon as possible to address the immediate and longer-term infrastructure challenges faced by this important precinct. This submission seeks $28 million of Commonwealth project development funding.

The three proposals are the NSW Government’s highest priorities for immediate investment in terms of regional strategy, urban connectivity and inter and intrastate freight movement. They address the objectives of the new state plan – NSW 2021 – and are in line with the national goals of the Australian Government.

The year 2011 marks a watershed in process, strategy, priority and delivery of infrastructure in NSW as reflected in this submission. There is now a new Government, new agencies, new legislation and new priorities. The establishment of Infrastructure NSW demonstrates NSW’s determination to ensure a rigorous approach to project selection and project assessment. A 20 year State Infrastructure Strategy will be developed by mid 2012 focusing on driving efficiency in infrastructure services and productivity growth needed to improve NSW’s economic performance.

The NSW Government is focused on its agenda in delivering the infrastructure services needed to improve the State’s economic performance.

NSW’s detailed submission can be found at the below links.