Transport leads charge in NSW State Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2038
The weight of infrastructure spending in the next two decades will fall predominantly on transport, the newly released NSW State Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2038 shows.
With $41.4 billion said to be brought to bear over four years on major projects “connecting people and places”, the aim is to cater for a state population set to grow to more than 12 million people by 2056.
The strategy dovetails with the Future Transport 2056 Strategy, also just released, the draft of which was released last October.
“This landmark vision integrates social infrastructure, transport and planning, so we can make the most of this Government’s unprecedented investment in communities across our State,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian says.
“Over the last seven years, our strong economic management has meant we’ve been able to deliver a massive pipeline of infrastructure investment worth $111 billion, with over $80 billion in the next four years alone.”
The government says it is completing business cases for a number of high-priority projects “that will help future-proof Sydney’s transport to meet population and growth challenges”.
These include the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, Stage 1 of the F6 Extension, Sydney Metro West, and the north-south rail link in Western Sydney.
The government says it will identify and reserve corridors for future projects, to make sure the community, business and industry know where major infrastructure projects are planned and support technological innovation, such as automated vehicles and smart motorways.
In the next 10 years, it pledges to investigate smart rail technology and an Advanced Train Control System to provide safer and more efficient train services on key lines including the T4 and T8, followed by the T1 and T2, along with faster regional rail on key routes, including between Sydney and Newcastle, Canberra, the Central Coast and Wollongong.
It will also look at improved passenger train links with regional cities.
“To provide direction to freight-related businesses and industry, the government is developing the NSW Freight and Ports Plan,” the state government says.
“Recent announcements by the Australian Government mean that the Inland Rail project will become a reality.
“The NSW Government will identify ways to leverage regional NSW’s central location in this once-in-a-generation project.”
Key actions for the government are:
- complete business cases for the Western Sydney bus rapid transport network, Smart Rail program, Sydney Metro West, and north-south rail link connecting Western Sydney Airport
- continue the Regional Road Freight Corridor Fund, Fixing Country Roads, Fixing Country Rail, and Bridges for the Bush programs
- partner with local government on active transport projects
- continue to support growth in Parramatta by completing business cases for the Outer Parramatta Ring Road, Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail, and the Greater Parramatta access plan
- complete business cases for smart motorways technology, the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, the F6 Extension, Sydney Gateway, Port Botany rail duplication, and Moorebank Terminal Road access
- partner with the Australian Government to plan for Sydney’s Western Parkland City; and the Western Sydney Airport and associated transport links, including the motorway link to the airport
investigate faster rail connections for our regional network.
The strategy document can be found here.