The announcement by Infrastructure Australia that they have updated their list of priority national infrastructure projects to identify $55 billion worth of projects will help plan new development says the Urban Taskforce.
“Australia’s cities and public transport needs are the key focus of the revised list of projects. The proposed upgrades of rail links from Sydney to Newcastle and Wollongong will help the development of these two cities as satellites of Sydney.” Says Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson “With the population of Sydney growing strongly it will be important to develop the two coastal cities through improved connections to Sydney. The update also identifies key rail improvements for the Melbourne – Geelong and Brisbane – Gold Coast rail lines, which will allow connectivity between these areas.”
“The focus in the IA report on metro rail and transport will help drive the new structure of key capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne. It is clear that international cities like London, New York and Paris have extensive metro rail networks which lead to modal splits favouring public transport over car usage. As Australian cities approach populations of 8 million it will be essential to have extensive metro rail networks.”
“The latest update includes more projects in cities and regions, including six high priority projects and six priority projects. The Urban Taskforce is happy to work collaboratively with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of new infrastructure, particularly additional housing supply and employment opportunities, are maximised.”
Download PDF Version: $55 billion of infrastructure projects will drive new development