The federal government has splashed investments in infrastructure and transport as part of its first budget
The federal government says it is intent on making infrastructure a priority after handing down its budget and announcing key infrastructure investments.
The federal government says its first budget takes an important first step in ensuring the Commonwealth’s infrastructure spending is responsible, affordable and sustainable.
Its commitment takes the total investment in transport infrastructure in every state and territory in the budget to $55 billion over the forward estimates for new and existing projects.
Investment in NSW includes:
- $300 million for the Western Sydney Roads Package
- $5.25 billion for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport
- $1.6 billion for the M12 Motorway
Investment in Victoria includes:
- $2.2 billion for the Suburban Rail Loop
- $5 billion to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link
- $447.7 million to the Gippsland Rail Line Upgrade
Investment in Queensland includes:
- $586.4 million for a major upgrade of the Bruce Highway through Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs
- $1.07 billion for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (Coomera to Nerang)
- $395.6 million for Gold Coast Light Rail – Stage 3
Investment in Tasmania includes:
- $540 million to upgrade the Bass Highway, the Tasman Highway and the East and West Tamar Highways
- $629 million for the New Bridgewater Bridge
- $150 million for the Midway Point and Sorell Causeway
Investment in South Australia includes:
- $60 million to construct on and off ramps for the Southern Expressway at Majors Road, which will reduce traffic on Brighton Road
- $4.9 billion for the North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington
- $164 million for the Strzelecki Track Upgrade – Sealing
Investment in Western Australia includes:
- $125 million toward electric bus charging infrastructure
- $1.002 billion for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (stages 2 and 3)
- $3.7 billion for the Perth METRONET
Investment in the Northern Territory includes:
- $740 million towards the Tanami Road and Central Arnhem Road
- $332 million of funding for the NT Strategic Roads Package
Investment in the ACT:
- $218.4 million for Canberra Light Rail – Stage 2A
- $5 million for the Garden City Cyle Route to encourage active travel
The federal government is spending $1.5 billion on the Freight Highway Upgrade Program to seal the Tanami Track in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, as well as upgrade other nationally significant freight routes, including the Dukes, Stuart and Augusta Highways in South Australia and Central Arnhem Road in the Northern Territory.
RELATED ARTICLE: NatRoad calls for universal heavy vehicle licensing
The government will continue to invest in the Outback Way in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, maintaining a total investment of $1 billion.
The government will continue to partner with state and territory governments to roll out projects under the Road Safety Program, with the delivery of total nationwide funding of $3 billion to continue through to mid-2025.
The government is also committing $26 million towards specific road safety grants over three years from 2022-23, addressing priorities identified in the National Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan.
Among the investments is an additional $80 million to deliver Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas nationwide, supporting our hard-working truck drivers who keep Australia moving
In addition to progressing Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, the Government is taking action to reduce vehicle emissions. This includes:
- Euro VI noxious emission standards for new trucks and buses, estimated to save the Australian community $6.4 billion over 25 years from fewer premature deaths and chronic illnesses associated with air pollution.
- $14 million over four years for the Australian Automobile Association to test the on-road fuel consumption and emissions of cars, SUVs and utes sold in Australia from 2023 to 2026 to give consumers clearer information on how much a new vehicle will cost to run.