The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) has welcomed the addition of several infrastructure projects to the Infrastructure Australia Priority List, however the Institute says there is still more to be done to ensure WA is securing its fair share of federal infrastructure funding.
“It is encouraging to see projects including the Morley – Ellenbrook rail line and other road related projects added to the Infrastructure Australia priority initiatives list,” UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck said.
“WA projects on the priority initiatives list have been growing over the last few years which is a positive step forward for securing much needed federal funding,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“The reality is though, that WA remains the poor cousin to east coast states such as New South Wales and Victoria,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“The new projects from WA that have been added, have only been added to the ‘Priority Initiatives List’, which means no business case has been completed for them,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“If you look at the ‘High Priority’ and ‘Priority Projects’ lists, these include infrastructure solutions that have a full business case completed,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“We have one project on the High Priority Projects list and only two on the Priority Projects list,” Ms Steinbeck said. “That is compared with six high priority projects in NSW and Victoria.”
“I know the State Government is putting a greater focus on ensuring State infrastructure projects are on the federal radar, however this is further evidence of why we need to get Infrastructure WA up and running,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“We need a long term infrastructure strategy in place and a body that effectively coordinates our dealings with Infrastructure Australia and ensures we are being heard in regard to what WA needs to accommodate future growth effectively,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“WA is on the precipice of another economic growth phase, and with that will come more people to the state that will put pressure on existing infrastructure and lift demand for housing,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“We must be prepared for that growth in a practical way,” Ms Steinbeck said.
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More information:
Gemma Osiejak
Executive Manager Communications and Marketing
M: 0421 506 819
E: gosiejak@udiawa.com.au