A new Federal Government report highlights the need for a change in infrastructure investment, Infrastructure Partnership Australia says
October 21, 2011
A new Federal Government report highlights the need for a change in infrastructure investment, Infrastructure Partnership Australia (IPA) says.
The State of Australian Cities 2011 report, which was issued yesterday by Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, confirms that Australia is facing growth challenges and must be met with better infrastructure investment, IPA Chief Executive Brendan Lyon says.
“Australia’s infrastructure is already strained because growth has outpaced investment,” Lyon says.
“A growing population means more cars and freight on our road and rail networks; not to mention the increased strain on our water, energy, health and education sectors.”
Lyon says shortfalls across public transport and the freight sector are costing the nation in terms of productivity and quality of life. He says Canberra, along with the states, needs to invest in new projects.
“Many of these projects that are needed are beyond the capacity of any single government, and the report should create new impetus for Canberra to co-invest in the major projects that have been identified by Infrastructure Australia,” he says.