Last month we wrote about Infrastructure Australia's (IA) announcement of newly appointed CEO Romilly Madew and her set of priorities in joining IA.

On 14 February 2019, IA released its 2019 Infrastructure Priority List which is the most ambitious List to date. A total of 121 nationally significant proposals have been put forward, including 25 new proposals. 

The List is broken up into two main categories: projects and initiatives, which are classified as either 'high priority' or 'priority'. 

As a snapshot of what has been put forward, we have highlighted a few of the new proposals on the List: 

High priority projects

  • Monash Freeway Upgrade Stage 2 (Vic)
  • North East Link (Vic)
  • METRONET: Yanchep Rail Extension.

Priority projects

  • Ballarat Line Upgrade (Vic) 
  • METRONET: Thornlie-Cockburn Link (WA) 
  • North–South Corridor: Regency Road to Pym Street (SA) 
  • Gawler Rail Line Electrification and Modernisation Project (SA).

High priority initiatives 

  • Regional road networks (National)
  • National electric vehicle fast-charging network (National)
  • National Electricity Market - future connectivity and reliability (National).

Priority initiatives 

  • National Electricity Market (Near-term optimisation (National)
  • A3 and A6 corridor capacity (NSW)
  • Sydney CBD motorways optimisation (NSW).

In response, the Coalition Government has publicly announced that they support the following projects:

  • $2 billion for Melbourne's Monash Freeway and North East Link projects;
  • $350 million for Perth's METRONET rail link between Thornlie and Cockburn;
  • $177 million towards Adelaide's North-South Corridor upgrade between Regency Road and Pym Street.

So far we have not seen a media release from the Australian Labor Party.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.