Media Release
AA108/2010
12 March 2010
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Australian Smart Infrastructure Awards for innovative, technology-driven solutions to infrastructure bottlenecks and urban congestion.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese announced the new annual awards at the ThinkSmart 2010 conference held today in Parliament House as part of the House of Representatives Committee Inquiry into Smart Infrastructure.
The awards will recognise project excellence in design, delivery, and use of infrastructure in any of Infrastructure Australia's national priority areas, including the rail freight, water and urban development:
- The Australian Smart Infrastructure Project Award will go to an innovative technology based project.
- The Australian Smart Infrastructure Research Award will provide a $25,000 grant for an innovative proposal supporting excellence in smart infrastructure research and development.
Access Economics estimated the use of smart infrastructure across electricity, irrigation, health, broadband, communications and transport would increase our national income by up to $80 billion over the first 10 years, adding 70,000 jobs to the economy.
Smart Infrastructure is an increasing feature of our nation's infrastructure. Examples of smart infrastructure include the Rudd Labor Government's investments in:
- Advanced technologies on Perth's Kwinana Freeway will mean a safer road and integrated road and transport systems - giving WA road users real time traffic information and freight vehicles priority access (around $75 million).
- The Smart Grid, Smart City project, which trials advanced grid technologies for Australian homes and businesses - making the grid more reliable and efficient, and reducing energy loss and greenhouse emissions ($100 million).
Applications are open until Friday 14 May 2010. Detailed guidelines attached.
Detailed Guidelines
Australian Government Smart Infrastructure Project Award guidelines:
1. The Smart Infrastructure Project Award will be for demonstrated excellence and innovation in the design, development, use and management of Smart Infrastructure to meet Australia's infrastructure challenges.
2. The project should respond to at least one of Infrastructure Australia's seven national priorities:
- a national broadband network;
- a true national energy market;
- competitive international gateways;
- a national rail freight network;
- transforming our cities;
- providing essential indigenous infrastructure; and
- adaptable and secure water supplies to cope with climate change.
Further detail on Infrastructure Australia's priority areas can be found in the publication: http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/publications/files/National_Infrastructure_Priorities.pdf
3. Applications should be sent by email to smartawards@infrastructure.gov.au before close of business on 14 May 2010 to be eligble.
- The application should provide full detail of the project design and implementation, and at least initial evidence of policy outcomes in the nominated Infrastructure Australia priority field.
- Full contact details should also be provided - including a preferred email address and a contact phone number during business hours.
4. Nominations for the award open on Friday 12 March 2010 and close on Friday 14 May 2010.
5. Nominees for the Award must be an individual, research team, business, institute or agency based in Australia.
6. A nomination can be made on behalf of another entity.
Australian Government Smart Infrastructure Research Grant Award guidelines:
1. The Smart Infrastructure Research Grant Award will be for a current research proposal that is innovatively designed to meet Australia's infrastructure challenges.
2. The project proposal should response to at least one of Infrastructure Australia's seven national priorities:
- a national broadband network;
- a true national energy market;
- competitive international gateways;
- a national rail freight network;
- transforming our cities;
- providing essential indigenous infrastructure; and
- adaptable and secure water supplies to cope with climate change.
Further detail on Infrastructure Australia's priority areas can be found in the publication: http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/publications/files/National_Infrastructure_Priorities.pdf
3. The grant will be in the form of a $25,000 lump sum payment and will be conditional on a research report being produced by 30 June 2011. The report will be considered by Government and will be released publicly.
4. Applications must be sent by email to smartawards@infrastructure.gov.au before close of business on 14 May 2010 to be eligble.
- The application should provide full details of the project, and its research and development plan, and should identify how the research would achieve particular policy outcomes in the nominated Infrastructure Australia priority field.
- Full contact details should also be provided - including a preferred email address and a contact phone number during business hours.
5. Nominations for the award open on Friday 12 March 2010 and close on Friday 14 May 2010.
6. Nominees for the Award must be an individual, research team, business, institute or agency based in Australia.
7. A nomination cannot be made on behalf of another entity.
Background
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (the Committee) is conducting an inquiry into Smart Infrastructure.
As part of its Inquiry, the Committee is holding a Smart Infrastructure Conference on Friday 12 March 2010 at Parliament House.
For more information on the Smart Infrastructure Inquiry see: http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/itrdlg/smartinfrastructure/index.htm.
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