Victoria’s state government has introduced legislation into parliament to create one of premier Daniel Andrews’ key election promises: the much-hyped independent body, Infrastructure Victoria.
Its role will be to make recommendations on key planning projects.
Once established, Infrastructure Victoria will publicly release a 30-year strategy detailing short, medium and long-term infrastructure needs.
The Labor government said on Thursday, that in response, it will develop a five-year infrastructure plan outlining priority projects and funding commitments.
Infrastructure Victoria will then assess the government’s progress against this plan.
“We’re putting evidence and transparency at the front and centre of Victoria’s infrastructure decisions,” said special minister of state Gavin Jennings.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has welcomed the announcement.
“A coherent pipeline will allow the industry to develop effective delivery plans and coordinate resources, including its workforce,” ARA acting chief operating officer Phil Allan said.
Meanwhile, state opposition leader Matthew Guy said Infrastructure Victoria might be a complete waste of time.
“How can you have a government that says on the one hand ‘we are going to take independent advice on infrastructure’ and on the other hand they’ve declared they want the Western Distributor, they want the Metro Rail, and they want to lock out a second container port for the next near 100 years,” Allan said.
“What the hell is the purpose for Infrastructure Victoria?”
This article originally appeared in Rail Express sister publication, Lloyd’s List Australia.