The federal government has welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) latest Priority List update, which includes the $722 million upgrade of a 39-kilometre section of Queensland’s North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Nambour.
Federal infrastructure and transport minister, Michael McCormack, said he was pleased that this key section of Queensland’s north-south rail corridor and the Brisbane Metro high capacity bus project had been added to the List, as these initiatives had the potential improve connectivity and reduce urban congestion.
“The Brisbane Metro with its focus on bus services in inner Brisbane to improve bottlenecks on the South East busway has been assessed as a High Priority project on today’s list,” McCormack said.
“The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade has also made the list for the first time as a Priority project which will significantly enhance access to Brisbane from the north.”
Upon releasing the List, IA urged governments to respond to the demands of Australia’s growing population, with a focus on projects which will benefit cities and public transport networks.
Paul Fletcher, the federal urban infrastructure minister, said that the Turnbull government was on-track in its delivery of an infrastructure plan informed by the advice of IA.
“Of the 12 high-priority and priority projects in the Infrastructure Priority List released today, the Australian Government has already committed funding to seven,” Fletcher said.
“The Infrastructure Australia Priority List is a dynamic document, with ten projects having now dropped off the list because the government has committed funding to them allowing construction to commence. This illustrates our strong, ongoing commitment to delivering quality, nationally significant infrastructure.
“We will be considering further investment in priority infrastructure in the 2018 Budget.”
Danny Broad, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association, also endorsed the updated IA Priority List, calling the additions “important nation-building initiatives”.
He welcomed, in particular, the inclusion of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade and Sydney Metro’s City and Southwest projects in the update.
“IA’s 2018 Infrastructure Priority List provides governments with the foresight to enable change today that will provide the passenger and freight solutions of tomorrow,” Broad said.
“The significance of these rail projects identified by IA warrants special attention and seeks investment from governments at all levels. Our networks of infrastructure and services connect people and communities, support freight transport across the country, help deliver our resources to overseas markets and continue to generate economic growth and employment.”