The Australian and New South Wales Governments are jointly investing approximately $1 billion towards shovel-ready infrastructure projects as well as road safety upgrades across the State, supporting about 5,500 jobs.
“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs.
“This package builds on the fast tracking of $570 million for infrastructure in New South Wales which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
The billion-dollar investment is comprised of $451 million from the Australian Government and $569 million from the State Government.
This stimulus package will help drive thousands of jobs as well as improve safety and travel times on the State’s local road networks.
“Projects equals jobs and fast-tracking these infrastructure projects are more important than ever as the economy recovers from the pandemic.
“Building infrastructure will be key to our economic recovery which is why we have already accelerated a number of infrastructure projects, creating thousands of jobs,” New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
The significant funding will cover the delivery of three key priorities, including:
- $240 million to fix 11 congestion hotspots around Sydney, supporting 1,000 direct and indirect jobs
- $382 million to help local councils upgrade roads across regional NSW, supporting 3,500 direct and indirect jobs
- $398 million for road safety projects in regional areas, supporting 950 direct and indirect jobs
The Australian Government has been working closely with State, Territory and Local governments to identify shovel-ready projects that will help boost the economy and create local jobs.
“This funding will help turbocharge the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program, jointly funding $382 million of projects on a 50:50 basis on the local roads that communities use every day.
“The Fixing Local Roads package will help repair, maintain or seal priority council roads and see project start construction in the next 12 months, creating thousands of jobs in the bush,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
According to Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole, the first round of projects will deliver over 258 projects across 83 Local Government Areas across the State.
“This money for small projects that make a big difference in people’s everyday lives in regional NSW.
“It means communities right across the State will see work starting on the local roads in their area as soon as next month,” Mr Toole said.
In addition, the funding commitment will also deliver shovel-ready projects in urban areas.
“We’re investing $240 million to jointly fund on a 50:50 basis a Pinch Point Program that will bust congestion for freight and bus services across Sydney’s metropolitan road network.
“These small-scale road improvements will make all the difference for mums and dads doing the school drop off, and people on their way home from work,” Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said.
Funding from the Commonwealth will be drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion investment for priority, shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works. On the other hand, additional funding from the NSW Government will be sourced from the $3 billion Project Acceleration Fund.
“We’ve already spent $579 million on the Pinch Points program, but we have seen $1.37 billion in realised benefits. It’s these smaller scale, local projects that really help to deliver those massive time savings for drivers and make our road network more efficient,” Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said.
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Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; Wellington Times; Dailymail.co.uk; Victor Harbor Times
