Infrastructure Australia (IA) has today delivered the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List with the Sydney to Canberra rail link featuring as a joint priority initiative between the ACT and NSW governments.
The Infrastructure Priority List (IPL) identifies initiatives and projects identified by IA as potential solutions to nationally significant infrastructure challenges and opportunities.
“The ACT Government has been advocating for an improved rail service between Canberra and Sydney for a number of yearsso we welcome the project being recognised in the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List,” said Minister for Transport Chris Steel.
“Investment in this link will not only make train travel a faster and more appealing option for Canberrans travelling to and from Sydney, but it will also provide better connections with regional towns.
“It’s time for the Federal Government to get on board with faster rail, and take this infrastructure investment proposal seriously.”
The ACT Government also submitted a bid during the IPL process for improvements to Parkes Way and Fairbairn Avenue as part of the ACT East-West Regional Freight Network, however IA did not include this project in this year’s IPL.
“We are disappointed that IA have not included this major corridor on the IPL as upgrading Parkes Way in particular would significantly help reduce congestion throughout the City as well as along the East-West route.
“However, we hope that continued planning will see this upgrade to this Federally owned road recognised as one of both regional and national significance.”
Keeping its place on the 2020 IPL as a priority initiative are improvements to Canberra’s public transport network, specifically the development of transit corridors connecting Belconnen and Queanbeyan to central Canberra.
“The continued inclusion of this initiative on the IPL reaffirms the national significance of the ACT Government’s investments in public transport infrastructure.”
Infrastructure Australia (IA) has also identified 16 initiatives for national infrastructure programs that were independently identified by IA including waste and recycling, water, road network safety and Indigenous art and cultural facilities.
“We welcome the 2020 IPL and as a Territory I am confident we are actively prioritising infrastructure initiatives to support Canberrans in the ACT and as they move around our region.
“We look forward to continuing to working with the NSW and Federal Governments to progress these projects,” concluded Minister Steel.
