The Federal Government has promised Western Australia $2 billion in infrastructure funding out of its proposed new $6 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund, announced this week.
Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the Regional Infrastructure Fund would invest in projects with potential partner funding from States, private investors and/or local governments.
“The Fund comprises $5.6 billion of revenue from the Resources Super Profits Tax commencing in 2012-13, as previously announced, and an additional $400 million for the fund between 2010-11 and 2013-14. These additional funds have already been provided for in the Budget,” Mr Albanese said.
“Today's announcement means investment can start now, to address our urgent infrastructure needs, rather than waiting for revenue proceeds of the Resources Super Profits Tax to flow.
“At a speech to the Perth Press Club, the Prime Minister outlined his intention that the lion's share of the infrastructure fund generated by the Resources Super Profit Tax should go to the major resource states of WA and Queensland - consistent with each state's share of total mining production.
“Today it was also announced that Western Australia should expect more than $2 billion in additional infrastructure investment from this fund.
"That means more rail, roads, ports, and other crucial infrastructure to support the workforce in critical mining regions and in communities that support mining regions."
Infrastructure Australia will be consulted on projects, Mr Albanese said.
Projects will be selected based on the following criteria:
The NSW Government says it’s committing a record $4.7 billion to build and maintain roads across the State, while the NSW Opposition is promising a major new infrastructure fund.
NSW Minister for Roads, David Borger, says his Government’s road investment program, announced this week in the State Budget, is the biggest in NSW’s history and an increase of $300 million on last year’s record budget.
Key features of the roads budget include:
However this week’s Budget statement didn’t include any announcements on major new road projects like the long awaited M4 East.
To read the Minister’s media release, click here.
In his Budget Reply speech, NSW Opposition Leader, Barry O’Farrell, promised to establish a major Capital Infrastructure Fund – to be known as Restart NSW.
Mr O’Farrell, however, did not commit funding to any specific projects. He said decisions on spending priorities would be set by Infrastructure NSW – a new, independent, expert body comprising the best people from the public and private sectors.
Restart NSW would be funded by three sources - the ‘windfall’ tax revenue, a long-term contract for Sydney’s Desalination Plant, and additional borrowings including through the establishment of Waratah Bonds.
To read Mr O'Farrell’s Budget reply speech, click here.
The Queensland Government has committed $3.3 billion to roads in the 2010-11 State Budget.
Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace, said this week the Budget would deliver important projects to slash travel times for busy motorists and tackle congestion across the state.
“Queensland’s bridge-mania continues under this budget with the completion of the $315 million Ted Smout Memorial Bridge Project (Houghton Highway) in Redcliffe and the $148 million Forgan Bridge Project in Mackay,” Mr Wallace said.
“We’re also keeping our foot very firmly on the pedal to complete Australia’s biggest road and bridge project with the completion of the Gateway Upgrade Project, as part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment into the Gateway corridor.”
Minister Wallace said other key projects across the State included:
For more information on the road funding commitments, view the Minister’s media release.
Queensland Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace, has again ruled out introducing a congestion tax on major roads in South East Queensland.
Mr Wallace said last week the State Government had already unequivocally rejected the suggestion of congestion charging and distance-based tolling on Queensland roads.
“We have made our position on this crystal clear. The Bligh Government will not introduce a congestion tax in this state,” Mr Wallace said.
“The issue was brought to Cabinet in February and was ruled out.
“We did this only after all strategies to tackle congestion were evaluated - a practice that responsible governments around the world have a duty to do when considering future growth.
“The Bligh Government is committed to single-point tolling and has a comprehensive plan to tackle congestion.
“Our approach to tackle congestion is not only to encourage people out of their cars and to use our public transport system, but also to invest in congestion busting infrastructure like the second Gateway Bridge and the numerous other projects contained in our $18 billion five year roads program.”
The tender for major construction works for Melbourne’s $74.6 million Dingley Arterial opened on June 2.
Announcing the tender, Victorian Roads and Ports Minister, Tim Pallas, said construction of the 3.5 kilometre, four-lane divided road was expected to start later this year.
“The Dingley Arterial, which will run between Springvale Road and Perry Road in Keysborough, is the next stage in developing a continuous 19 kilometre link between Warrigal Road, Moorabbin and the South Gippsland Freeway at Dandenong South,” Mr Pallas said.
“This vital road link was identified as a priority project in the Victorian Transport Plan to improve east-west transport connections and take pressure off Cheltenham Road and Springvale Road.
“It also includes a new walking and cycling path to connect with the popular shared path along Westall Road and the EastLink Trail.”
The project is scheduled for completion in 2013.
The widespread uptake of technology in the road freight industry could improve road safety, reduce transport costs and cut emissions, according to a draft strategy released by the National Transport Commission (NTC).
The Draft National In-Vehicle Telematics Strategy: The Road Freight Sector – developed in consultation with governments, industry and unions – outlines the potential of a partnership approach for the use of technology.
“Industry is already investing in technologies to improve truck fleet efficiencies, such as tracking deliveries in real time so the warehouse is ready to unload the truck as it arrives,” said NTC Chief Executive, Nick Dimopoulos.
“A great opportunity exists to harness the potential of ‘real time’ information by encouraging the wider uptake of technology.
“By 2030 we’d like to see 90 per cent of the road freight sector voluntarily using in-vehicle technologies, with information routinely shared between supply chain parties to drive efficiencies and proactively manage fatigue, speed and overloading risks.”
The NTC believes that a national strategy will provide a clear and consistent policy for technology use and give industry the confidence they need to invest.
An over-arching set of national principles will help to better align and guide in-vehicle telematics initiatives – such as standards and regulations – with national transport policy objectives.
In-vehicle telematics encompasses the electronic monitoring and management of vehicles, their devices and their loads.
The draft strategy and supporting discussion paper have informed the NTC’s policy proposal on the use of on board mass monitoring (a type of in-vehicle telematic), which has also been released today.
A policy position paper on the use of electronic work diaries is currently being finalised.
The strategy and accompanying documents are open for public comment until 21 July 2010 and can be downloaded on the submissions page of the NTC website.
Early bird registrations are now open for the 2nd International Sprayed Sealing Conference, to be held in Melbourne from October 10 to 12, and the 24th ARRB Conference, on in Melbourne from October 13 to 15.
The theme for the Sprayed Sealing Conference is Sustaining sprayed sealing practice.
The Conference will provide an opportunity for practitioners and policy makers to keep abreast of new developments in sprayed seal design, material selection and construction techniques. Click here for more information.
The 2010 ARRB Conference will examine issues like congestion, freight and productivity; safe systems; sustainable infrastructure sciences and technology; and infrastructure management. For more information, click here.
To register for either or both conferences, click here.
Submitted by Mark Bowmer on Friday June 11th 2010 12:08pm
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