Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, has confirmed the Government’s commitment to major road and other infrastructure projects in regional Australia.
Speaking at the National Conference for Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia in Coffs Harbour this week, Truss told delegates that the “Being open for business” statement by the Prime Minister Tony Abbott includes investing in the infrastructure of roads, bridges, highways and railways to move goods to market.
“Modern infrastructure, be it roads, rail, telecommunications, bridges or airports,is essential for our economy, for much-needed productivity gains and for the future of our regions,” said Truss. “Central to that investment is the national highway system. We have guaranteed $5.64 billion to fund the duplication of the Pacific Highway from Sydney to the Queensland border, to be completed within the decade.
“We are embarking on the biggest works program ever undertaken on the Bruce Highway, committing to an $8.5 billion package with the Queensland Government to boost capacity, reduce flooding and improve safety on the most treacherous road in the country.”
The Government has also committed $700 million to the Toowoomba Range Crossing, $615 million to the Swan Valley Bypass, $508 million to upgrade sections of the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Miles and $400 million for Midland Highway in Tasmania.
“Darwin, Townsville, Cairns and Karratha are ideal focal points to build capacity, and the regional platform necessary to sustain additional private sector investment, market competition, job creation and higher standards of living,” said Truss.
“Stronger, sustainable communities also need safe and efficient roads to keep them connected with each other and with services and markets. Ageing network infrastructure is a major challenge for councils, particularly rural and regional councils. That is why we strongly support the Roads to Recovery and Black Spots programmes to eliminate accident spots across Australia.”
Truss acknowledged that his department was aware of about 30,000 local bridges across the country, some of which are nearing the end of their functional lives and that costs are too high for local councils to replace them.
“Those bridges are vital in connecting people to communities, to jobs, to markets and to services and they keep our economy moving,” said Truss. “The new Government has made a $300 million commitment to the Bridges Renewal Programme to help local governments to deal with this challenge, while also achieving genuine productivity and road safety improvements.”