MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

The Australian Coat of Arms

13 May 2008
BUDGET-INFRA 02/2008

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR NSW AND ACT TOPS $925 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest over $925 million in nation-building road and rail projects in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory - including $157 million to make an early start on election commitments.

Urgent action is needed to fix Australia's over-stretched transport networks and build infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

That's why we're getting a head start on $157.3 million worth of projects for NSW that weren't due to commence until 2009-10, as well as delivering projects to upgrade interstate transport networks and critical freight corridors.

New South Wales' and ACT's Budget infrastructure packages will deliver on our election commitments, tackle major bottlenecks and help make our roads safer.

New South Wales

Our $157.3 million to make an early start on NSW election commitments includes:

  • $100 million to start construction of the Ballina bypass on the Pacific Highway;

  • $15 million to begin construction of the Bulahdelah bypass on the Pacific Highway. This project will help deliver four lanes from Sydney to the Port Macquarie turnoff;

  • $13.6 million to start building the Alstonville bypass, clearing a bottleneck between Ballina and Lismore and getting trucks out of the town;

  • $3 million for a Grain Rail Task Force that will see industry and governments work together to develop viable long-term solutions to grain transport in NSW;

  • $20.2 million to upgrade the Great Western Highway from the M4 at Penrith to Katoomba;

  • $2.4 million for the planning of the upgrade of the Katoomba to Lithgow section of the Great Western Highway;

  • $0.8 million for a comprehensive study into the transport needs of the Lower Hunter Region, in conjunction with New South Wales.

  • $1 million for a study of the transport needs of the Central West; and

  • $1 million for planning a Bega bypass.

Overall, the Government's investment in New South Wales transport infrastructure in 2008-09 allocates:

  • $576.0 million for construction projects and maintenance on the 8,134 kilometres of road and rail National Land Transport Network;

  • $35.0 million for 57 AusLink Strategic Regional projects promoting regional development;

  • $98.4 million for local roads under the Roads to Recovery Program which is in addition to the $167.3 million allocated to roads under Federal Financial Assistance Grants;

  • $0.7 million under the Roads to Recovery Program for local roads in the unincorporated areas of the state;

  • $15.3 million to eliminate 78 road safety 'black spots'; and

  • $13.6 million for non-AusLink roads.

Australian Capital Territory

The Rudd Government will allocate $19.6 million to the ACT in 2008-09. This includes:

  • $0.5 million for maintenance of the 15 kilometres of road on the National Land Transport Network;

  • $0.6 million to eliminate five road safety 'black spots'; and

  • $18.5 million for roads under federal Financial Assistance Grants.

The Government will continue to implement its land transport infrastructure election commitments from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with timing and specific funding arrangements to be negotiated with the states and territories.

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Media Contacts

Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890

 

URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_02-2008.htm