Infrastructure Australia has released the 2019 Infrastructure Priority list, presenting 121 nationally significant infrastructure proposals and a $58 billion project pipeline designed to guide investment towards projects that grow Australia.
Infrastructure Australia chair Julieanne Alroe said the list is the largest, most comprehensive and diverse list of investments identified by Infrastructure Australia to meet the challenges of the future.
“The priority list will guide the next 15 years of Australian infrastructure investment,” said Alroe.
“As an evidence-based list of opportunities to improve both our living standards and productivity, the priority list reflects the diversity of Australia’s future infrastructure needs across transport, energy, water, communications, housing and education.”
Developed using data from the Australian Infrastructure Audit submissions from state and territory governments, industry and the community, including more than 100 submissions in the last year, the list provides all levels of government with a list of infrastructure investment opportunities for the near, medium and longer term.
Twenty-five new infrastructure proposals had been included in this year’s publication, with a total of 8 high priority projects, 10 priority projects, 29 high priority initiatives and 74 priority initiatives.
“Many of the projects and potential infrastructure solutions identified in the 2019 priority list respond to the challenges of population growth in our largest cities, and address the need for frequent and accessible public transport to reduce congestion and maintain Australia’s world-renowned liveability,” said Alroe.
“Congestion in our cities and faster-growing regional centres not only has significant consequences for the Australian economy, but has direct impacts on communities, reducing people’s access to education, health services, employment and other opportunities.
“A number of inclusions on this year’s priority list focus on getting the most out of existing infrastructure through the use of smart technology, such as intelligent transport systems. This includes projects such as the Monash Freeway Upgrade Stage 2 and North East Link in Victoria, the Regency Road to Pym Street section of Adelaide’s North–South Corridor, and a proposal to improve the performance and efficiency of motorways in the Sydney CBD,” said Alroe.
Many of this year’s new additions to the list reflect the need for forward-thinking, ambitious solutions to support Australia’s future prosperity, such as the delivery of a national electric vehicle fast-charging network, which has been identified as a high priority initiative.