MORE THAN $30 billion will be injected into vital road and rail projects after the nation’s governments agreed on a massive infrastructure program to boost productivity and meet demand.
The states and territories last week agreed to the Federal Government’s Nation Building Program, a six-year initiative to upgrade and maintain road and rail infrastructure.
The Federal Government has committed $26.4 billion, while the states have pledged to invest $5.3 billion.
New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria will benefit from the scheme, with each receiving $8.6 billion, $6.8 billion and $4.4 billion respectively.
Western Australia will collect $2.8 billion, South Australia $1.7 billion, Tasmania $800 million, the Northern Territory $590 million and the ACT $200 million.
The largest investment will be in the Pacific Highway, where $2.5 billion will be spent.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese said the agreement is a vital step in ensuring Australia’s transport network continues to play an important part in strengthening the economy.
Albanese said that although the national road network accounts for only 2 percent of Australia’s total road length, it carries 15 percent of all traffic and 18 percent of the country’s freight and demand is expected to grow significantly in coming decades.
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