The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has issued a new Circular and Guide providing direction for Departments and Agencies supplying information to the public about infrastructure costs and delivery timetables.
Circular C2020-22 Timely information on infrastructure projects and transactions with the non-government sector also gives advice on providing information to the public about transactions undertaken with the private sector, such as unsolicited proposals and other direct deals.
“Government is delivering a record $100 billion infrastructure pipeline,” the Circular says.
“Infrastructure projects are best delivered where budgets and delivery programs reflect well defined scope, design and risk analysis.
“Premature determination and disclosure of cost and time estimates can be counterproductive for project teams, design professionals and construction contractors,” it says.
DPC said the impact of premature determination and disclosure needed to be balanced with the requirement to keep the public and Parliament as informed as possible.
It said the Guide, Timely Information on Infrastructure Projects, explained the stages of project development and the level of detail that may be confidently provided to the public at each stage.
The Department said the guiding principles for providing reliable information were confidence in cost and delivery timeframe increased as projects progressed; where detail wasn’t yet available, there was still useful information that could be provided; in early stages, Government could communicate its intent to address a need and the steps it proposed to provide a solution; premature provision of detail could lead to disappointment in the community and counterproductive pressure on project delivery teams; and effective communication as stages progressed provided confidence that decision making was sound.
“Infrastructure NSW will hold regular sessions with Ministerial Offices and Agencies to raise awareness of the Guide and explain the guiding principles in more detail,” the Department said.
The DPC Circular can be accessed at this PS News link and the six-page Guide at this link.
