Govt releases discussion paper on private sector involvement in northern AU infrastructure

The Australian Government this week released a discussion paper on maximising value for money from its investments in northern Australia’s infrastructure through private sector involvement.

The paper invites the private sector to bring forward innovative funding and delivery proposals for projects to be delivered under the $600 million Northern Australia Roads Program.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said in a statement that the Federal Government is keen to test the market to see what the appetite is for delivering innovative investment in road transport infrastructure in the north.

“Our focus is on delivering outcomes for Northern Australia—and we will choose whatever works best, be it a private sector proposal or delivery by government. And what works for one particular road may not work for another.

“This discussion paper calls for proposals from the private sector on how to stimulate greater competition and investment under the Northern Australia Roads Program.”

Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher also said in the statement that in delivering the best outcome for northern Australia, it was important to test whether private sector ideas could allow more to be delivered for the funds committed by government.

“We are therefore seeking the private sector’s input on realistic and workable concepts and innovative models that will maximise the value of public investments in northern Australia road infrastructure,” he said.

“Not all models may be commercially viable—but the best way to find out is to call for expressions of interest.

“I encourage interested private sector players to put forward realistic and workable models in response to the discussion paper.”

Expressions of interest from the private sector will close on Friday, 29 January 2016 at 5pm.

Copies of the Northern Australia Roads Program—Encouraging Private Sector Investment discussion paper are available at: www.investment.infrastructure.gov.au/publications/reports/pdf/Northern_Australia_Roads_Programme_Discussion_Paper_Dec_2015.pdf