Infrastructure Australia has released its Infrastructure Priority List for 2020, presenting 147 proposals of national significance – the largest number since the list’s inception in 2016.
Chief Executive of Infrastructure Australia, Romilly Madew said the list reflected both the diversity and urgency of Australia’s future infrastructure needs.
“Resilience was a key theme of our 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit and this focus continues to be reflected in our 2020 Infrastructure Priority List,” Ms Madew said.
“Compounding issues of unprecedented infrastructure demand, severe drought and other environmental changes, require a focus on our resilience strategies and a consensus on where to invest now for our nation’s future prosperity.”
She said this year’s proposals included five new High Priority National initiatives covering water, waste, coastal inundation and road maintenance.
“As an independent advisory body, it’s our role to bring these problems and opportunities into the national spotlight to spark investment and coordinated action from industry and government,” Ms Madew said.
She said Infrastructure Australia had specifically identified a new High Priority Initiative for a national water strategy and town and city water security initiative.
“We’re expecting a range of solutions to be considered for capturing, managing and distributing water, along with improvements in reporting and use of data in the water sector,” Ms Madew said.
She said regional Australia also emerged as a focus of this year’s list, with improving mobile telecommunications coverage in remote areas and regional road safety among the priorities.
“Truly staying connected requires not only safe and efficient transport options, but also ensuring our towns and regional communities have the same access to telecommunications as the rest of Australia,” Ms Madew said.
“This is to also provide people with reliable access to electronic payment systems, emergency alerts and other critical services,” she said.
Infrastructure Australia’s 200-page 2020 Infrastructure Priority List can be accessed at this PS News link.
