Consistent with its election promises, the Federal Government has committed $9.6 billion to infrastructure projects including High Speed Rail, Suburban Rail Link and Bruce Highway upgrades, ahead of next week’s 2022-23 Federal Budget.
The funding commitments in the upcoming Budget 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 13km 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 investment allocates $2.75 billion for Victorian projects; $2.5 billion for those in the Northern Territory; $1.47 billion for Queensland, $1 billion for New South Wales, $685 million for Tasmania; $670 million for Western Australia; and $660 million for South Australia.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said fulfilling his government’s election commitments would deliver better outcomes for the Australian economy.
“Sound and planned infrastructure investment creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity for our cities and our regions,” Mr Albanese said.
“It’s about making journeys quicker, but also making sure Australians 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.”
Victoria
Victoria will receive a total $2.75 billion, $330 million of which will support funding for road infrastructure upgrade projects, including:
- Camerons Lane Interchange at Beveridge ($150 million)
- Barwon Heads Road Upgrade – Stage 2 ($125 million)
- Ison Road Overpass ($57 million)
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory will receive a total $2.5 billion to support several vital infrastructure projects, including:
- $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 Northern Territory Strategic Roads Package
Queensland
Queensland will receive a total $1.47 billion for the development and support of several projects, including:
- $586.4 million 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
New South Wales
New South Wales will receive $1 billion, $300 million of which will support its Western Sydney Roads Package and includes:
- $300 million for the Western Sydney Roads Package, providing $50 million for planning and preparatory works for the Castlereagh Connection, $37 million for Richmond Road planning and $75 million for planning and early works in the North West Growth Corridor
- $500 million investment to start corridor acquisition, planning and early works for high speed rail connections between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle
Tasmania
Tasmania will receive $685 million for the upgrading of road corridors and related infrastructure, including:
- $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 runway upgrades at Hobart Airport
Western Australia
Western Australia will receive a total $670 million to support the electrification of public transport, including:
- $125 million toward electric bus charging infrastructure, which will be matched by the Western Australian Government through the local manufacture of 130 new buses
- $545 for the Freight Highway Upgrade Program to deliver priority upgrades to the interstate Tanami Road and other nationally significant freight routes
South Australia
Finally, South Australia will receive a total $660 million to support several vital infrastructure projects, including:
- $60 million to construct on and off ramps for the Southern Expressway at Majors Road which will reduce traffic on Brighton Road
- $200 million to reduce congestion in Adelaide’s south and improve road safety by removing the Marion Road Level Crossing and upgrading Marion Road between Cross Road and Anzac Highway
- Up to $500 million for the state’s $1.5 billion Freight Highway Upgrade Program delivering priority upgrades to the interstate Tanami Road and other nationally significant freight routes, including the Dukes, Stuart and Augusta highways
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, Catherine King, said the Budget commitments would support and strengthen further economic development.
“Investing in national significant highways and roads will help the economy while putting much needed money into regional and urban roads will help make life easier and safer for everyone,” Ms King said.
“Good infrastructure helps strengthen the economy and build connections between communities.”
