Independent infrastructure advisory body Infrastructure Australia has identified a $55B infrastructure pipeline in its 2018 Infrastructure Priority List, released this week.
The list now includes the Brisbane Metro and the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade projects.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack welcomed the release and said the Priority List is critical in informing all levels of government and the private sector on what priority projects and initiatives are under development across the country.
“I am particularly pleased to see the addition of two major Queensland projects to the list following the assessment by Infrastructure Australia as having the potential to improve connectivity and reduce urban congestion,” Mr. McCormack said.
“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 [the] list.
“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.”
Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the updated Priority List provided important input into the Government’s deliberations on which major national infrastructure projects should receive Federal funding.
“Of the 12 high-priority and priority projects in the Infrastructure Priority List released, the Australian Government has already committed funding to seven,” Mr. 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.
“We will be considering further investment in priority infrastructure in the 2018 Budget,” Mr. Fletcher said.
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