Media Release: Infrastructure Australia updates its Priority List

• Brisbane Metro and the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade projects added to the list
• Majority of priority projects already enjoy Federal funding commitments

The Australian Government welcomes the 2018 Infrastructure Priority List released today by Infrastructure Australia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack 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 today’s 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.

“The Coalition Government will continue to commit to the infrastructure Australia needs. We are making a record $75 billion investment into nation building projects which is contributing to new heights for both economic growth and job creation across Australia.”

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 today, 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. This illustrates our strong, ongoing commitment to delivering quality, nationally significant infrastructure.

“We will be considering further investment in priority infrastructure in the 2018 Budget,” Mr Fletcher said.

Infrastructure Australia is the Government’s national infrastructure advisory body, with a key role in assessing business cases for major projects seeking Australian Government funding, and maintaining the IPL to inform future government and private sector investment decisions.

Mr McCormack spoke at the launch of the 2018 Infrastructure Priority List in Parliament House this morning.