Infrastructure Australia’s first audit of northern Australia’s infrastructure identifies long-term requirements to cater to a projected population growth.
The audit found that the northern Australia population is projected to grow 1.8% a year – quicker than the broader Australian population, which sits at 1.6%.
According to the audit and at this growth rate, northern Australia will be home to around 1.77 million people by 2031.
According to a joint statement from Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss, the Commonwealth Government will work with northern jurisdictions to develop critical infrastructure projects, including roads, to cater for the growing population.
The audit outlines the region’s current infrastructure asset base and its potential long-term needs.