Skip to main content

Australia’s infrastructure spending plans

In its federal budget announced on 13 May 2014, the Australian government announced plans for new infrastructure projects costing US$117.04 billion to keep the economy going after the mining boom ends. The new funding and existing projects are expected to boost infrastructure investment to US$47 billion by end of the decade. The government will invest US$11 billion to fast track infrastructure projects including US$3.4 billion for road projects, US$4.6 billion to asset-recycling fund for states and US$2.
May 14, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
In its federal budget announced on 13 May 2014, the Australian government announced plans for new infrastructure projects costing US$117.04 billion to keep the economy going after the mining boom ends. The new funding and existing projects are expected to boost infrastructure investment to US$47 billion by end of the decade.

The government will invest US$11 billion to fast track infrastructure projects including US$3.4 billion for road projects, US$4.6 billion to asset-recycling fund for states and US$2.7 billion for western Sydney's infrastructure plan. It already offered the New South Wales (NSW) government a concessional loan of US$1.8 billion to fund the WestConnex road project in western Sydney. Territories and states will get another US$4.6 billion in financing if they sell public assets and allocate them to productive infrastructures.

Meanwhile, the state government of Western Australia will invest US$22.19 billion over the next four years to build road networks, two fire stations, new hospitals and 19 new schools. The amount will include US$1.7 billion for public transport infrastructures and services. The state government expects to spend around US$277 million in 2014/2015 fiscal year and will allocate US$229 million in 2014 to acquire 124 buses and 22 three-car B-series railway wagons. The Perth Busport costing US$196 million is scheduled to be completed in 2016 and US$337 million Perth City Link project will be ready in 2014.

Related Content

  • US DOT announces 2016 funding for clean buses
    July 27, 2016
    The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the 20 transit providers in 13 states which will receive a share of US$55 million under its Low or No-Emission (Low-No) Bus Competitive Grant Program. The program provides funding for buses and related technology that replaces aging diesel fuel buses with battery-electric or fuel cell-powered vehicles and incorporates other innovations. Among the projects selected to receive 2016 Low-No funding are the Santa Clara Va
  • Authorities switch on to all electric buses as costs tumble
    January 9, 2018
    Alan Dron looks at changes in bus propulsion as cities look to improve air quality and seek to reduce maintenance costs. Despite the ending of various incentives to adopt alternative fuels, the introduction of electric buses by US transit authorities is picking up speed as performance improves, costs drop and air quality considerations become increasingly significant. More US bus manufacturers are introducing zero-emission models and some recent contracts will see many more passengers getting their first
  • UK ‘headed for gridlock’ as new record car use revealed
    May 20, 2016
    UK Road safety charity Brake is concerned by worrying new figures showing car traffic reached a new peak in 2015, with overall traffic increasing by almost 19 per cent since 1995. According to UK government statistics, the number of vehicle miles travelled grew by 1.1 per cent in 2015, to 247.7 billion, slightly higher than the previous peak in 2007. Van traffic has continued to grow more quickly than any other vehicle type, rising 4.2 per cent from 2014 levels. Lorry traffic saw the largest year-on-year
  • ITF diagnoses South Asia’s breathing difficulties
    August 26, 2022
    One of the world’s fastest-growing regions faces major transport sector decisions if it is to avoid spiralling emissions problems in coming decades. Alan Dron takes a look at a new report on Asia from the International Transport Forum