Federal Budget 2020-21: Infrastructure

Infrastructure spending has been a major focus of this Budget, with significant road and rail projects slated in all States and Territories totalling $14 billion over the next 4 years.

Key infrastructure spending

The Government is increasing total spending on its infrastructure pipeline by $10b from $100b to $110b over the next 10 years and significantly bringing forward infrastructure spending with a Covid-19 infrastructure package that will provide significant near-term investments in major road and rail projects, road safety and community infrastructure, including significant funding for short term "shovel ready" projects.

The key allocations for infrastructure are:

$2 billion over three years for priority regional and urban transport infrastructure, on a "use-it-or-lose-it" basis, including $1 billion over three years for shovel ready priority projects and $500 million over two years for targeted road safety works;
$2 billion over two years in 6 month tranches to deliver small scale road safety projects, on a "use-it-or-lose-it" basis;
$2 billion over ten years for the development and delivery of priority water infrastructure investments;
$2 billion for the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, including an additional $162.5 million for the Wyangala Dam ($325.0 million in total) and $121.0 million for the Dungowan Dam ($242.0 million in total);
$1 billion over ten years for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program to support local councils;
$2.7 billion for New South Wales, including $603m for the New England Highway Singleton Bypass and Bolivia Hill Upgrade, and an additional $491m for the Coffs Harbour Bypass;
$1.1 billion for Victoria, including $528m for upgrades to the Shepparton and Warrnambool rail lines;
$1.3 billion for Queensland, including $750m for Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector;
$1.1 billion for Western Australia, including $227 million for METRONET — High Capacity Signalling and Morley Ellenbrook Line, and $87.5 million for Reid Highway Interchanges — West Swan Road, plus an additional $327.5m over 11 years for the Perth City Deal;
$625 million for South Australia, including $200 million for the Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade, and $136 million to progress the Main South Road Duplication Stage 2;
$360 million for Tasmania, including $65 million for the Tasman Bridge Upgrade;
$190 million for the Northern Territory, including $120 million for the Carpentaria Highway Upgrade, and $46.6 million for National Network Highway Upgrades; and
$155 million for the Australian Capital Territory, including $87.5 million for the Molonglo River Bridge.

Australian Capital Territory

$155.3m will be provided for priority road and rail projects in the Australian Capital Territory, increasing the Government's total commitment to transport infrastructure to over $970m. This funding includes:

$87.5m for the Molonglo River Bridge
$50m for the Canberra — Southwest Corridor Upgrade package
$15.3m for the Monaro Highway Upgrade package
$2.5m for the Parkes Way Upgrade planning and design.

New South Wales

$2.7 billion will be poured into road and rail projects in New South Wales, increasing the Government's total commitment to transport infrastructure to over $39b. The funding includes:

$603 million for the New England Highway - Singleton Bypass and Bolivia Hill Upgrade;
$591.7 million for the Newell Highway Upgrade;
$490.6 million for the Coffs Harbour Bypass;
$360 million for the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, Rankin Park to Jesmond
$150 million for grade separating road interfaces
$120 million for the Prospect Highway Upgrade
$94m for the Heathcote Road Upgrade, Hammondville to Voyager Point
$60m for the M1 North Smart Motorway — ANZAC Bridge to Warringah Freeway
$46.4m for the Mulgoa Road Upgrade.

Northern Territory

$189.5m will be provided for priority road projects in the Northern Territory, increasing the Government's total commitment to transport infrastructure to over $2.7b. This funding includes:

$120m for the Carpentaria Highway Upgrade
$46.6m for the Northern Territory National Network Highway Upgrades
$22.9m for the Stuart Highway Upgrade at Coolalinga.

Queensland

$1.3b will be provided for priority road and rail projects in Queensland, increasing the Government’s total commitment to transport infrastructure to over $28.5b. This funding includes:

$750m for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (Coomera to Nerang)
201.2m for the Bruce Highway
$112m for the Centenary Bridge Upgrade
$76m for the Riverway Drive Stage 2 (Allambie Lane — Dunlop Street)
$50m for the Beams Road Open Level Crossing Upgrade
$42.4m for the Mount Lindesay Highway Upgrade (Johanna Street to South Street)
$38m for the Cooktown to Weipa Corridor Upgrade
$17.2m for the Cairns to Northern Territory Border Upgrade
$10m for the M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrade Program.

The Government will also bring forward $14.2m to accelerate existing transport infrastructure projects in Queensland, including:

$10m for the Port of Brisbane further planning; and
$4.2m for the Brisbane to Gold Coast Faster Rail Business Case.

South Australia

$625.2m will be provided for priority road and rail projects in South Australia, increasing the Government's total commitment to transport infrastructure to over $9.8b. This funding includes:

$200m for the Hahndorf Township Improvements and Access Upgrade
$136m for the Princes Highway Corridor
$136m for the Main South Road Duplication Stage 2 - Aldinga to Sellicks Beach
$100m for the Strzelecki Track Upgrade
$28m for the South Eastern Freeway Safety Upgrade
$13.2m for the Goodwood
$12m for the Victor Harbor Road Upgrade.

The Government will also bring forward $20.3m to accelerate the Eyre Peninsula Network.

Victoria

$1.1b will be provided for priority road and rail projects in Victoria, increasing the Government’s total commitment to transport infrastructure to over $31.5b. This funding includes:

320m for the Shepparton Rail Line Upgrade
$292m for Barwon Heads Road
$208m for the Warrnambool Rail Upgrade — Stage 2
$104m for the McKoy Street — Hume Freeway Intersection Upgrade
$84.5m for Hall Road
$31m for Narre Warren North Road
$30m for the Western Rail Plan
$27.2m for the Western Port Highway
$22.5m for South Road.

The Government will also bring forward $610m to accelerate existing transport infrastructure projects in Victoria, including:

605m for the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Rail Upgrade — Stages 2 and 3
$5.0m for the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Corridor Preservation.

Western Australia

$1.1b will be provided for priority road and rail projects in Western Australia, increasing the Government’s total commitment to transport infrastructure to over $15.4b. This funding includes:

$227.1m for Metronet
$87.5m for the Reid Highway Interchanges
$80m for the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network
$75m for the Canning Bridge Bus Interchange
$70m for the Roe Highway Widening and Abernethy Road Upgrade
$70m for the Newman to Katherine Corridor Upgrade
$56m for the Karratha to Tom Price Corridor Upgrade
$48.6m for the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeway
$45m for the Stirling Bus Interchange
$41.6m for the Port Augusta to Perth Corridor
$40m for the Freight Vehicle Productivity Improvements Program
$17.5m for the Bus Lane Program.

The Government will also bring forward $161.4m to accelerate existing transport infrastructure projects in Western Australia, including:

$115.8m for the Roe Highway-Great Eastern Highway Bypass and Abernethy Road-Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchanges
$24m for the Freemantle Traffic Bridge (Swan River Crossing)
$21.6m for the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network.

The Government will also provide $327.5m over 11 years from 2020-21 to support projects under the Perth City Deal to unlock economic benefits and opportunities for the central business district (CBD), deliver almost 10,000 jobs and encourage people back into the city creating flow on benefits for small businesses.