The $20-million Sheahan Bridge upgrade in Gundagai is one of the few region-specific projects listed as a priority by Infrastructure Australia. Photo: Transport for NSW.
Infrastructure Australia has released its list of nationally significant priorities where it feels the Commonwealth should focus its investment.
But specific infrastructure projects identified tend to be focused around Sydney and Newcastle, with much of the Riverina and southern NSW missing out.
Infrastructure Australia CEO Adam Copp said the list represented their top-down view of proposals that could best strengthen the nation’s productivity, liveability and sustainability – now and for the future.
“From our growing population and the strength of our economy to the liveability and connectivity of our cities and regions, everything hinges on having the right infrastructure invested in at the right time,” he said.
“This investment blueprint will give the Australian Government the confidence, clarity and evidence it needs on what the highest priority proposals are for the country that can address critical infrastructure gaps and unlock economic opportunities.
“This will ensure the government knows when a proposal is needed most by communities while also giving taxpayers the best bang for their buck.”
The Infrastructure Australia report did identify that regional areas would continue to play an “important role in sustaining national productivity and supply chains” and put forward general national priorities that cover the state, such as national interoperability of digital signalling and rail control, NSW inland rail interface improvements, and enabling infrastructure for zero-emissions buses.
“The prosperity of Australia’s regions is fundamental to Australia’s economic growth. Infrastructure connects regional communities, supports the movement of goods to and from regions and enables accessibility to essential services,” it noted.
It identified the country’s growing demand for road freight meant corridor efficiency and access for high productivity vehicles (HPVs) needed to be improved, to keep goods moving reliably and to support economic growth.
Among the suggested development and upgrade of HPV networks was the Sheahan Bridge upgrade proposal, which is on the Hume Highway at Gundagai.
“[This] is on the busiest freight corridor in NSW and is a key constraint preventing more efficient HPV movements between Melbourne and Sydney,” the report noted.
“This proposal is also identified as a future investment opportunity in the two- to four-year pipeline.”
A contract for the project’s concept design for the bridge’s upgrade or replacement was awarded early last year. The Commonwealth has already committed $16 million to the project, which is expected to cost a total of $20 million.
Another way to improve connectivity is through rail, and the Australian Government is already looking into high-speed rail between Sydney and Newcastle.
The long-term vision is to connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and the report noted the National High Speed Rail network was proposed to be delivered in stages to meet the needs of intercity and regional Australians across the east coast.
“Linking major Australian cities on the east coast with consistent, high capacity trains would provide an alternative to air travel and has the potential to provide significant benefits and economic opportunities along the route … [it] will also require integration with local and regional transport networks,” the report stated.
“The proposal for future high-speed rail inter-city connections on the east coast is identified as a future investment opportunity in the two- to four-year pipeline … [and] supports improved access to housing and labour markets within both regional and metropolitan areas.”
Other NSW projects identified include a Western Sydney Airport fuel pipeline, Sydney rail connection between Tallawong and St Marys, rail connections from Bradfield to Leppington and Macarthur, and enabling infrastructure for renewable energy zones (REZ) from the ports of Newcastle and Brisbane to the New England REZ and Central-West REZ.
The list is one of several opinions considered by the Commonwealth when it comes to investment decision. Time will tell whether all of Infrastructure Australia’s suggestions are supported through Federal funding pathways.
