Infrastructure Australia has released its Infrastructure Priority List for 2020, with board chair, Julieanne Alroe, stating it features thirty-seven new proposals. Ms Alroe notes the wide range of sectors covered include water, energy, health, waste and transport.
The Priority List is supported by the evidence raised from the 2019 Infrastructure Audit, and submissions from government departments, industry and the community.
The priority list holds a strong record of driving investment across the nation. In the document, proposals are divided into two groups: that of projects and initiatives. A project is in an advanced state, with a full business case and has been assessed by Infrastructure Australia as capable of addressing a national problem or opportunity, while initiatives are those that have been determined to have potential to address a nationally significant problem or opportunity. These two groups are subsequently divided again into two categories of importance: high priority and priority.
The list highlights road infrastructure as a high priority project, focussing on major arterials along the east seaboard, such as the M4 motorway in Western Sydney, upgrades to the M80 in Melbourne, and the North East Link. Also making a high priority project are rail network upgrades in Brisbane and Sydney, and the Western Sydney Airport.
Among the high priority initiatives outlaid in the document are town and water security, improvements to regional road networks, a national plan on the management of waste and recycling, and corridor preservation plans for rail networks in western and outer Sydney and outer Melbourne.
There were seven projects taken off this year’s list due to moving into construction phase and indicating the importance of the collaboration and Infrastructure Australia’s ability to guide investments.
Infrastructure Australia holds a necessary place in the asset management of our nation’s infrastructure assets. They are committed to being collaborative and informative, and sharing knowledge and expertise.
Let us know your thoughts on the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List by emailing communications@amcouncil.com.au. If you work in the government sector, we urge to check out the Asset Management Council’s Government Communities of Practice Special Interest Group, where you will meet other who work in similar fields, as well as have access to special events, seminars and our informative webinars.