The Federal Government has pledged $17.9 billion towards new and existing projects in the infrastructure pipeline in this week’s Budget.

With investments in every state and territory, the Government’s rolling 10-year infrastructure pipeline will increase from $110 billion to over $120 billion, a new record.

Key new commitments funded in the 2022–23 Budget include:

Victoria:

$3.1 billion in new commitments to deliver the $3.6 billion Melbourne Intermodal Terminal Package, including:

• $1.2 billion for the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal in Beveridge, taking the total investment to $1.62 billion;
• $280 million for Road Connections, including Camerons Lane Interchange, to the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal;
• $740 million for the Western Interstate Freight Terminal in Truganina; and
• $920 million for the Outer Metropolitan Ring – South Rail connection to the Western Interstate Freight Terminal.

Queensland:

• $1.6 billion for the Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast (Beerwah-Maroochydore) rail extension
• $1.121 billion for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast (Kuraby – Beenleigh) faster rail upgrade

WA:

• $100 million for the METRONET Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal
• $135 million for the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link
• $116 million for the METRONET High Capacity Signalling
• $90 million for the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension

NSW:

• $1 billion for the Sydney to Newcastle – (Tuggerah to Wyong) faster rail upgrade
• $77.5 million for a business case forStage 2 of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line

Tasmania:

• $96 million for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program – Tranche 4

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government’s record infrastructure investment was keeping Australians moving and supporting thousands of local jobs across the country.

“Continuing to provide record future funding for road and rail projects is a key part of our economic plan for the long term to keep our economy strong,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, said the Government was building the infrastructure that will make the nation and economy stronger.

“Getting more commodities to ports and sending them overseas will generate more export income, making our nation wealthier and stronger. Better roads and infrastructure will enable that,” he said.

Australasian Railway Association chief executive Caroline Wilkie said the investment in faster rail networks would improve the speed, frequency and reliability of services, as recommended in the ARA’s Faster Rail Report.

“Highways in and out of our cities are only getting busier, which means we must invest in faster rail to support the east coast’s sustainable development,” she said.

“Faster rail will enable rail travel times on regional rail lines to better compete with road, making it a more desirable and sustainable travel option.

“This will help avoid traffic gridlock and reduce transport-related emissions as populations rise.

“At a time when petrol prices are at record levels, this investment in faster rail will support regional economies and be good news for the many people thinking about a move from the city after the pandemic.”

The ARA also welcomed the allocation for a rail extension from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast (Beerwah to Maroochydore).

Wilkie said the extension would strengthen public transport connections between Brisbane and this key regional centre.