Infrastructure Australia has released an updated edition of the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List, with projects worth more than $64 billion.
The updated list presents 155 infrastructure proposals of national significance, expected to create jobs and boost the economy.
Infrastructure Australia CEO, Romilly Madew, said the list was updated to highlight a number of new proposals and showcase the extended pipeline of investment.
“Australia is planning its recovery from a rolling series of crises: drought, flood, the bushfires and now COVID-19. As we look forward, the focus is on delivery and as the nation’s infrastructure advisory body, we are continuing to improve our ability to move quickly to identify investments that will improve productivity,” Madew said.
She said this is about expanding the pipeline, keeping the economy growing, helping to create jobs and attract investment.
“The Priority List is a critical tool in recovery, as it directs investment to the infrastructure projects that will kick-start economic growth and have the greatest returns for all Australians.”
It is the first time the body has released its Priority List mid-year, in order to show the most recent priority proposals at a time where infrastructure investment is needed quickly.
The updated Priority List includes five new projects, two new High Priority Initiatives and five new Priority Initiatives.
The M12 Motorway in Sydney is listed as a High Priority Project. Queensland regional road network safety improvements and the Brisbane northern suburbs corridor capacity, are identified as High Priority Initiatives.
Other Priority Initiatives are:
- Browns Plains to South East Busway public transport connectivity, QLD
- Queensland inland freight route capacity and safety, QLD
- Browns Plains to Beaudesert road capacity and safety, QLD
- Mooloolah River Interchange capacity and safety, QLD
- Australian Institute of Sport modernisation (AIS submission), ACT
The Priority Projects are:
- More Trains, More Services Stage 2, NSW
- Port Botany Rail Line Duplication & Cabramatta Passing Loop (ARTC submission), NSW
- METRONET: Morley–Ellenbrook Line Project, WA
- METRONET: High Capacity Signalling Project, WA
Infrastructure Australia are assessing projects for the next formal edition of the Infrastructure Priority List which will be released in February 2021.
“We are continuing to assess a record number of projects and we’re encouraging jurisdictions to identify the infrastructure that will best lead a COVID recovery,” Madew said.
In addition to Infrastructure Australia actively supporting harmonisation and streamlining of infrastructure approval processes, Madew reaffirmed the critical role the Priority List plays in business case assessment.
“As more projects are accelerated, the Priority List will help support decision-making about Australia’s spending priorities by ensuring business cases for large projects include rigorous planning, evidenced based problem definition, options analysis and independent assessment.”
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