It’s no secret that Australia is in the early stages of our most recent Infrastructure boom! There are number of multi-billion dollar projects (or Mega Projects) currently under way or soon to be started. The Federal Government will invest $75 billion into Transport Infrastructure over the next decade, with $24 billion already committed to 2018/19 Budget. This has all come about due to the limited spending in the previous decade.
Let’s do a whip around the nation and have a look at what projects are underway or about to get started in each state.
New South Wales Infrastructure Projects
Coffs Harbour Bypass: $971 million
Nowra Bridge construction: $155 million
Port Botany Rail Line Duplication: $400 million
Western Sydney North-South rail: $50 million to joint fund a business case with the New South Wales Government
Barton Highway corridor: $100 million for the continued upgrade of the highway, which is an important link between regional New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
Victorian Infrastructure Projects
Melbourne Airport Rail Link: Up to $5 billion
North East Link: $15 billion
Monash Rail: $475 million
Frankston to Baxter Rail Link Electrification Upgrade: $225 million
Victorian Congestion Package: $140 million
Continued investment in regional rail (Geelong Line): $50 million
Completion of the duplication of the Princes Highway East (Traralgon to Sale): $132 million
The government also remains committed to the East West Link and its offer of $3 billion stands
Queensland Infrastructure Projects
Bruce Highway: $3.3 billion for continued upgrades to the Bruce Highway:
$880 million Pine River to Caloundra corridor upgrade
$800 million for the Cooroy to Curra—Section D
$200 million for additional safety works
M1 Pacific Motorway: $1 billion towards upgrades between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, and between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill
Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade: $390 million
Brisbane Metro: $300 million
Cunningham Highway (Amberley Interchange): $170 million
Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail Business Case: $15 million to support planning
Queensland will also receive a share of the $1.5 billion ROSI initiative—Northern
Australia Package, and a share of the $160 million commitment to the Outback Way, both to be allocated across the three northern jurisdictions
Western Australian Infrastructure Projects
METRONET: An additional $1.1 billion, taking the total Australian Government funding to $2.3 billion, including new projects announced in the budget:
$500 million for Morley-Ellenbrook Line
$241 million for Byford Extension
$83 million for the Midland Station project
$2 million for Lakelands business case
$226 million for further projects to be agreed
Road Projects: $1.5 billion including:
Bunbury Outer Ring Road (stages two and three): $560 million
$252.5 million for Tonkin Highway stage three Extension
$145 million for Tonkin Highway Gap
$183 million for Tonkin Highway interchanges
$107.5 million for Mitchell Freeway Extension—Hester Avenue to Romeo Road
$46.5 million for Leach Highway (Welshpool Road interchange)
$144 million for Roe Highway/Great Eastern Highway Bypass and Abernethy Road/Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges)
$65 million for Stephenson Avenue Extension Bindoon Bypass—Great Northern Highway: $220 million though the ROSI initiative EastLink WA (Orange Route) Business Case—$10 million
Western Australia will also receive a share of the $1.5 billion ROSI initiative—Northern Australia Package, and a share of the $160 million commitment to the Outback Way, both to be allocated across the three northern jurisdictions
The government also remains committed to the Perth Freight Link and its offer of $1.2 billion stands
South Australian Infrastructure Projects
North South Corridor Future Priorities:
North-South Corridor—Regency Road to Pym Street: $177 million
Future Priorities: $1.21 billion
Joy Baluch Bridge: $160 million
Gawler Rail Line Electrification: $220 million
Tasmanian Infrastructure Projects
Bridgewater Bridge Replacement: $461 million
Freight Rail Revitalisation: An additional $59.8 million to be provided from 2019–20
Tasmania will also receive dedicated funding of $400 million from the ROSI initiative for a Tasmanian Roads Package, focusing on the Bass Highway
Australian Capital Territory Infrastructure Projects
Monaro Highway Upgrade: $100 million
ACT will also benefit from the increased connectivity with NSW generated through the ROSI initiative to upgrade the Barton Highway
Northern Territory Infrastructure Projects
Central Arnhem Road Upgrade: $180 million
Buntine Highway Upgrade: $100 million
The Northern Territory will also receive a share of the $1.5 billion ROSI initiative—Northern Australia Package, and a share of the $160 million commitment to the Outback Way, both to be allocated across the three northern jurisdictions
Northern Australian Infrastructure Projects
ROSI initiative—Northern Australia Package: $1.5 billion, shared across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia
Outback Way: $160 million, allocated across Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia
With all of this work, I am excited to see what part innovation and technology will play in the construction and maintenance of these projects. We have already come a long way in such a short amount of time. I only remember a few years ago every speed sign was fixed to a post now we have digital signs that can change speeds, tell us when there is a crash and are more interactive. We have also seen a number of Australian firsts with an elevated rail on the level crossing project (Caulfield to Dandenong), high capacity signalling (Melbourne Metro), and recycled plastic used in asphalt in Western Australia.
One thing is for sure, there will be lots of opportunity for innovation with the amount of work we have in the market!
