Infrastructure proposals for priorisation

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http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/files/A_Report_to_the_Council_of_Australian_Governments.pdf

See page 67

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From the Australian click here!

Private sector to bankroll infrastructure drive

Private sector to bankroll infrastructure drive

Matthew Franklin, chief political correspondent | December 20, 2008
Article from:  The Australian

DOZENS of infrastructure projects, including a high-speed train linking Sydney and Melbourne and a $4.8 billion metro system for Sydney, have been approved for funding from the Rudd Government's $12.6 billion Building Australia Fund.

The government-appointed Infrastructure Australia yesterday released an interim list of 94 approved projects, including port upgrades, rail lines and road improvements across the country.

Infrastructure Australia chairman Rod Eddington told The Weekend Australian that governments did not have
the money to bankroll the projects and must streamline regulations to promote private sector investment.

Kevin Rudd came to power accusing the Howard government of creating export bottlenecks by failing to spend on infrastructure, instead preferring to play politics with states about which level of government was responsible for funding.

After taking office, he created Infrastructure Australia to audit existing infrastructure and prioritise needs and report to the Council of Australian Governments. The Prime Minister will partly fund the projects out of the $12.6 billion Building Australia Fund. Sir Rod said yesterday the audit identified significant need for investment in roads, ports, railways, electricity, water and communications.

He said Infrastructure Australia had identified 28 projects worth $40 billion that appeared to qualify for funding on the grounds that they would contribute to improved productivity and efficiency. A further 66 looked as though they could qualify, pending further investigation. The combined list is dominated by road and rail projects around ports.

Several projects planned by governments, some of them already funded, are also listed, including the Government's $4.7billion national broadband system, the expansion of Western Australia's Ord River scheme, upgrades of the Bruce and Pacific highways and upgrading Cotter Dam in the ACT.

It also backs a long-mooted rapid train link between Sydney and Melbourne via Canberra, and new projects such as a Sydney metro system.

Sir Rod said the development of the nation's infrastructure had been stunted for decades by a lack of co-ordination and co-operation between jurisdictions.

Infrastructure Australia would produce a "pipeline" of projects for governments and the private sector as part of an integrated approach, building on existing infrastructure to lift national productivity.

"What is clear looking at the size of the task and the sorts of projects that have been put forward for consideration is that federal and state finances are not going to be able to deliver this infrastructure without a substantial contribution from the private sector," Sir Rod said. He added governments must produce leaner regulation to allow for greater private investment and that the current global economic downturn must not be used as an excuse for inaction.

"It is true that there are some real short-term challenges with capital availability to the private sector," Sir Rod said.

"But it's also true that we're looking over much longer time scales. Economic downturns are one- to three-year events. We're looking at infrastructure that will contribute to national productivity in one to three decades."

Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said Infrastructure Australia would produce a final list of projects in March after collecting further information.

Acting Opposition infrastructure spokesman Ian Macfarlane said many of the proposals released yesterday were worthy but there had been no transparency about why they were selected over others.

"We are also concerned by the fact that many of these projects were on the books as the sole responsibility of state Labor governments previously and they have just been shifted to the commonwealth," Mr Macfarlane said.

To see the list of projects, go to www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au

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MEDIA RELEASE
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

AUDIT OF THE NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE RELEASED 

http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/december/aa205_2008.htm


Joint Media Statement
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government    
   
Sir Rod Eddington
Chair of Infrastructure Australia

AUDIT OF THE NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE RELEASED

Infrastructure Australia has now completed its preliminary audit of the nation's vital economic assets and compiled the infrastructure proposals for prioritisation.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese today received the report containing the information from Infrastructure Australia Chair Sir Rod Eddington.

Mr Albanese thanked Sir Rod and his team for the work they have done so far.

"No one should underestimate the magnitude of the task Infrastructure Australia has been requested to undertake.  This group of highly distinguished Australians has risen to challenge," said Mr Albanese.

"In less than nine months, Infrastructure Australia has completed the first ever audit of the condition and adequacy of the nation's transport, water, energy and communications infrastructure.

"In addition, they've listed 94 infrastructure proposals for prioritisation from the more than 1,000 put forward in over 600 submissions received from state and territory governments as well as councils, business organisations and members of the public.

"This provides the community with an insight into Infrastructure Australia's deliberations and the projects that warrant further considered examination at this time.

"Much more work still needs to be done to determine the relative merits of the projects and whether they should be included on the final Priority List scheduled to be handed to government in the first quarter of 2009."

Infrastructure Australia's analysis has concluded that future public and private investment needs to be directed towards:

   1. Developing a more competitive broadband system;
   2. Extending the national energy grids so there's greater flexibility and competition in our power and gas markets, whilst creating new opportunities for renewables;
   3. Improving port productivity and associated land transport links;
   4. Lifting the amount of freight shifted by rail;
   5. Preparing for the impact of climate change on water supplies;
   6. Expanding public transport services within cities; and
   7. Improving services to Indigenous communities.

"Nation building is vital to address urban congestion, lift future productivity and economic growth, and assist the transformation to a carbon constrained economy," said Mr Albanese.

The long term planning work being undertaken by Infrastructure Australia - together with the $4.7 billion Nation Building plan announced last week by the Prime Minister - is all about making sure Australia has the modern infrastructure it needs to meet the economic, social and environmental challenges of the future.

Sir Rod Eddington said Infrastructure Australia will continue to work with project proponents to ensure it has all the information needed to complete the prioritisation process.

"Infrastructure Australia will be working with states, territories and the private sector to develop a long-term strategy and to deliver real improvements in the key areas for investment," said Sir Rod.

"There is now an historic opportunity for the Australian Government to play a much more hands on role in infrastructure investment.  The current economic environment means that we cannot afford to waste it."

In addition to undertaking the audit and compiling the infrastructure proposals for prioritisation, Infrastructure Australia has developed national public-private partnership guidelines.

The report is available at http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/publications.aspx