The Victorian Government has introduced legislation to establish Infrastructure Victoria, an independent body in the same vein as Infrastructure Australia.
The landmark reform was instigated after Government introduced the legislation into Parliament this week.
The new independent body will be tasked with ensuring Victoria’s immediate and long-term infrastructure needs are identified and prioritised based on objective, transparent analysis and evidence.
“Governments come and go, but our long-term infrastructure priorities always remain,” said Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews.
“We won’t waste a day getting on with supporting Victorian jobs, and we won’t ask Victorians to support dud, last minute plans for projects that don’t stack up.”
Infrastructure Victoria will consult widely, consider the needs of the whole state and prioritise the projects that deliver the best results.
Once established, Infrastructure Victoria will be required to publicly release a 30-year Infrastructure Strategy detailing short, medium and long-term infrastructure needs and priorities.
The Victorian Government will be required to develop a five-year Infrastructure Plan outlining priority projects and funding commitments.
Infrastructure Victoria will assess the Government’s progress against this plan.
Infrastructure Victoria will also support government decisions by assessing business cases for major projects, and publishing research on a range of infrastructure issues from schools, hospitals, water, arts and cultural facilities.