THE Australian Logistics Council has welcomed $225bn national commitment to infrastructure projects from state governments, to be delivered over the next four years
The 2020 Australian Infrastructure Budget Monitor, released this week by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, ranks jurisdictional infrastructure funding levels in order of share of budget expenditure.
The results show for the third year running, NSW and Victoria leading the national league tables with a combined total spend of $153bn.
The Northern Territory is in third place with $4.3 billion, SA in fourth place with $13.4 billion, TAS is in fifth with $3.89 billion. QLD and WA both ranked behind the other states with $35.2 billion, and $10.95bn respectively.
“Combined, governments are pumping nearly $5 billion of infrastructure spend into the economy every month – that’s the equivalent of building one new Western Sydney Airport a month, every month, for 48 months,” said Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, chief executive Adrian Dwyer.
ALC chief executive Kirk Coningham applauded the national commitment to investment.
“Investment in infrastructure combined with a collaborative approach with industry to planning for preservation of freight lands and corridors are key to a successful and functioning future economy”. Providing clarity and security of the pipeline encourages investment,” Mr Coningham said.
“As we start digging Australia out of recession, investment in infrastructure and ensuring open conversations and collaboration across ministries and governments in the future will be key,” he said.
“As has been amply demonstrated throughout this crisis, we achieve great things working together.
“The benefits that were hard won during this challenging year, must be preserved and put to work as Australia grows its way out of a recession with the full and essential support of the supply chain industry,” Mr Coningham said.
