NSW to get lion’s share of pandemic transport funding
Infrastructure contractors in New South Wales are in line for $2.7 billion in transport projects, bringing the state up to a Covid-19 pandemic spend of more than $5 billion, according to a federal Budget announcement.
Of the largest states, Queensland’s gain is $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion, Victoria is on $1.1 billion to $1.6 billion and Western Australia is also on $1.1 billion but to $1.3 billion.
The $7.5 billion in shovel-ready” project funding in treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s Budget tomorrow, builds on federal infrastructure investments responding to the Covid-19 pandemic said to now total more than $11.3 billion.
Prime minister Scott Morrison says the Budget will deliver infrastructure spending that supports the federal JobMaker plan and helps the nation recover from Covid-19.
“We have been working closely with state and territory governments to invest in the infrastructure that is ready to go and can help rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” Morrison adds.
“These projects will keep commuters safe on the road, get people home to their loved ones sooner and provide better transport links for urban and regional communities.”
“As part of the Covid -19 economic recovery plan we have invested an additional $11.3 billion focused on shovel-ready projects across the country.”
He puts the likely number direct and indirect jobs accruing nationally at 30,000.
Read about Josh Frydenberg’s last infrastructure spending acceleration, here
Urban infrastructure minister Alan Tudge highlights the long term goals.
“These new investments lock in billions across our infrastructure pipeline over 10 years,” Tudge says.
“We will continue to invest in the key priority projects which help drive the economy and create jobs across our states and territories.”
The state priorities are:
- NSW – key investments include $560 million for the Singleton Bypass on the New England Highway; $360 million for the Newcastle inner city bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond; $120 million for the Prospect Highway upgrade; and an additional $491 million for the Coffs Harbour Bypass
- Victoria – key investments include $320 million for the Shepparton rail line upgrade; $208 million for Stage 2 of the Warrnambool rail line upgrade; $292 million for the Barwon Heads Road upgrade; and $85 million to upgrade Hall Road in Cranbourne. Work on Stages 2 and 3 of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds rail upgrade will also be accelerated with $605 million brought forward into the forward estimates
- Queensland – key investments include $750 million for Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector (Coomera to Nerang); $112 million for the Centenary Bridge Upgrade in Brisbane; $76 million for Stage 2 of the Riverway Drive Upgrade between Allambie Lane and Dunlop Street in Townsville; and $42 million for the Mt Lindesay Highway upgrade between Johanna Street and South Street in Jimboomba
- Western Australia – key investments include $88 million for the Reid Highway Interchange with West Swan Road; $70 million for the Roe Highway widening and Abernethy Road upgrade; $16 million to undertake sealing of priority sections of the Goldfields Highway between Wiluna and Meekatharra; and $16 million in upgrades on the Broome-Cape Leveque Road and associated community access roads. Work on Roe Highway/Great Eastern Highway bypass and Abernethy Road/Great Eastern Highway bypass interchanges, and the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network, will also be accelerated with $82 million brought forward into the forward estimates
- South Australia – a gain of a $625 million to $785 million. Key investments for South Australia include $200 million for the Hahndorf improvements and access upgrade; $136 million for Stage 2 of the Main South Road duplication between Aldinga and Sellicks Beach; and $100 million for the Strzelecki Track upgrade
- Tasmania – a gain of $360 million to than $410 million. Key investments for Tasmania include $150 million for the Midway Point Causeway (including McGees Bridge) and Sorell Causeway as part of the Hobart to Sorell Roads of Strategic Importance corridor, and $65 million to upgrade the Tasman Bridge.