2021-22 Budget includes major investment for transport infrastructure
The Australian Government has announced the 2021-22 Budget and it includes a record investment in infrastructure that will support and create jobs as well as drive growth and help rebuild the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline – which is part of the Australian Government's Economic Recovery Plan – will deliver nation-building infrastructure projects, water security to inland regions, help the country meet its national freight challenge and get Australians home sooner and safer.
Through the 2021-22 Budget, an additional $15.2 billion in new funding for infrastructure projects is committed, which will support an estimated 30,000 Australian jobs.
To boost the country's recovery, the Government is focusing on new commitments in major infrastructure across Australia, including:
- $2 billion for Great Western Highway Upgrade – Katoomba to Lithgow – Construction of East and West Sections in New South Wales
- $2 billion investment to deliver a new Melbourne Intermodal Terminal
- $400 million for Bruce Highway Additional Funding in Queensland
- $237.5 million for METRONET: Hamilton Street / Wharf Street Grade Separation and Elevation of Associated Station in Western Australia
- $161.6 million for the Truro Bypass in South Australia
- $150 million for National Network Highway Upgrades (Phase 2) in the Northern Territory
- $80 million for Bass Highway Safety and Freight Efficiency Upgrades in Tasmania
- $26.5 million for William Hovell Drive Duplication in the Australian Capital Territory
To date, there are over 220 major Australian Government funded projects that are already underway and these projects are anticipated to support approximately 100,000 jobs over their construction periods.
The $2 billion commitment on a new Intermodal Freight Terminal in Melbourne will support both the Victorian and national freight networks as well as create about 1,350 jobs during its construction and a further 550 jobs at peak operation period.
This is part of the Australian Government's commitment to deliver transformational infrastructure that will help boost productivity, efficiency and capacity of the national freight network as well as support the Government's National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.
The 2021-22 Budget also backs an additional $1 billion for the Road Safety Program which now has $3 billion total funding. Works commenced in January 2021, with about 700 projects approved under Tranche 1 of the program. This significant funding commitment is expected to support up to 4,500 jobs.
Local communities will also continue to benefit from the now $2.5 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program with an additional $1 billion funding from the 2021-22 Budget. This program of works will deliver local projects that matter to communities and help boost economies across Australia. This funding is projected to support about 3,500 jobs.
To help improve water security across the regions, a further $258 million has been invested through the 2021-22 Budget for the National Water Grid. This funding is from the National Water Grid Fund that will deliver new and augmented water infrastructure projects.
New and augmented projects funded through the Budget, in partnership with states, include:
- Eurobodalla Southern Storage in New South Wales – $51.2 million
- Werribee Irrigation District Modernisation in Victoria – $11 million
- Recycled Water on the Bellarine in Victoria – $5.5 million
- Warwick Recycled Water for Agriculture – Recycled Water Treatment Upgrade in Queensland – $500,000
- An additional $7.5 million for Rookwood Weir to deliver water security in North Queensland by raising the weir wall a further 700 millimetres to deliver an additional 10,000 megalitres. This brings total Australian Government investment in the project to $183.6 million
The Australian Government is also committed to continue building a stronger regional Australia through extensions to community grants programs which directly invests in social and economic infrastructure that creates jobs and builds stronger regional communities.
Funding will directly be provided to regions through the following initiatives:
- An additional $250 million for a sixth round of the successful Building Better Regions Fund, which builds on more than $1 billion already committed to our regional towns and cities from the Fund
- The Australian Government has brought forward approximately 50 per cent of the 2021-22 Financial Assistance Grant funding. This cash injection of more than $1.3 billion will give councils vital support to assist with the combined impacts of drought, bushfires, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic
The record infrastructure investment from the 2021-22 Budget will aid in Australia's recovery, create and support jobs, drive growth in the regions as well as lay the foundations for the future stages of the Australian Government's Economic Recovery Plan.
Check out our mini wiki for Australia's 2021 infrastructure project pipeline in various stages (planning, procurement, construction, etc.) for different sectors here.
Below is the list of transport infrastructure projects funded through the 2021-22 Budget.
Jump to State / Territory:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Project Funding ($ million) |
| Great Western Highway Upgrade - Katoomba to Lithgow - Construction of East and West Sections | 2,032 | 2,540 |
| M5 Motorway - Moorebank Avenue - Hume Highway Intersection Upgrade | 87.5 | 175 |
| Manns Road - Intersection Upgrades at Narara Creek Road and Stockyard Place | 52.8 | 66 |
| Mount Ousley Interchange | 240 | 300 |
| Pacific Highway - Harrington Road Intersection Upgrade, Coopernook | 48 | 60 |
| Princes Highway Corridor (NSW): | ||
| Jervis Bay Road Intersection | 100 | 125 |
| Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road - Stage 1 | 400 | 500 |
| Stacey St Bankstown - Planning | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 2,985.3 | 3,816 |
| Existing Projects Receiving Additional Funding | Additional Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Appin Road | 18 | 68 | 68 |
| Eurobodalla Roads Upgrade Package | 0.4 | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Far North Collector Road Network, Nowra | 19 | 32.8 | 32.8 |
| Warren Road Upgrade, Coonamble to Warren | 0.03 | 1.93 | 4.83 |
| Whipstick Bridge Upgrade, Wyndham | 1.7 | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Total | 39.1 | 114.5 | 117.4 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for NSW: $3.02 billion
| Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) Allocations of Existing Funding | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Toowoomba to Seymour - NSW: | ||
| County Boundary Road | 8.2 | 10.2 |
| Entrance to Mugincoble Silos Access Road | 3.8 | 4.8 |
| Forbes Iron Bridge Upgrade | 36 | 45 |
| Moree Intermodal Overpass | 35.2 | 44 |
| Newell Highway and Mitchell Highway Intersection Upgrade | 20 | 40 |
| Newell Highway and Oxley Highway Intersection Upgrade | 32 | 40 |
| Peak Hill Road Upgrade 'Part 1' | 8.6 | 10.8 |
| Peak Hill Road Upgrade 'Part 2' | 7.8 | 9.7 |
| Pilliga Road Upgrade | 5 | 6.2 |
| Purlewaugh Road Upgrade | 2.4 | 3 |
| Upgrades to Hargraves Lane and Federation Street | 32 | 40 |
| Tenterfield to Newcastle: | ||
| Bald Nob Road Upgrade | 4.5 | 5.6 |
| Sunnyside Platform Road Upgrade | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Total | 197 | 261.2 |
Victoria
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Dairy Supply Chain Road Upgrades | 17.5 | 34.9 |
| Mallacoota - Genoa Road Upgrade | 10 | 10 |
| Monash Roads Upgrade | 250 | 250 |
| Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Corridor Detailed Business Case | 10 | 20 |
| Pakenham Roads Upgrade | 380 | 380 |
| Melbourne Intermodal Terminal - Planning and Development | 61.8 | 123.6 |
| Melbourne Intermodal Terminal - Delivery | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| Total | 2,729.3 | 4,818.5 |
| Existing Projects Receiving Additional Funding | Additional Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Commuter Car Park Upgrades: | |||
| Belgrave/Lilydale Lines - Heathmont | 3.9 | 18.9 | 18.9 |
| Berwick Railway Station | 49.2 | 64.2 | 64.2 |
| Ferntree Gully | 1 | 16 | 16 |
| Frankston Line - Frankston | 19 | 43.5 | 87 |
| Ringwood | 14.7 | 29.7 | 29.7 |
| Forest Drive and Nepean Highway Intersection Upgrade | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| Green Triangle - Future Priorities | 20 | 100 | 125 |
| Hall Road Upgrade | 56.8 | 141.3 | 282.5 |
| Hume Freeway - O'Herns Road Interchange Upgrade | 24.2 | 27.8 | 52 |
| Melbourne to Mildura - Future Priorities | 15 | 75 | 93.8 |
| Plymouth Road Improvements | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Princes Highway East | 13.2 | 64 | 64 |
| Princes Highway West | 9.4 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| Uralla Road and Nepean Highway Intersection Upgrade | 5.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Western Port Highway Upgrade | 30.4 | 57.5 | 115 |
| Total | 267.7 | 701 | 1,011.3 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for VIC: $2.997 billion
| Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) Allocations of Existing Funding | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Ballarat to Ouyen: | ||
| Birchip-Rainbow Road - McLoughlans Road Intersection Upgrade | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Scoping and Development | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Echuca to Robinvale - Project Scoping | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Green Triangle: | ||
| Road Surface and Intersection Upgrades | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Bridge Upgrades | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Scoping and Development | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Melbourne to Mildura: | ||
| Baileys Road Intersection, Sea Lake | 3 | 3 |
| Overtaking Lanes | 12.5 | 12.5 |
| Project Development and Preconstruction | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Wide Centerline Treatment between Sunraysia Highway and Red Cliffs | 2.8 | 3.8 |
| Stawell to South Australian Border: | ||
| Horsham Junction Upgrade | 4 | 4 |
| Nhill-Jeparit Road Intersection Upgrade | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Project Scoping and Development | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Seaby Street Intersection Upgrade | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| Toowoomba to Seymour - Victoria: | ||
| Project Scoping and Development | 3 | 3 |
| Safety Barriers between Seymour and Shepparton | 28 | 35 |
| Total | 91.5 | 98.5 |
Queensland
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Beerburrum to Nambour Duplication Study | 5 | 10 |
| Bruce Highway Additional Funding | 400 | 500 |
| Caboolture - Bribie Island Road (Hickey Road - King John Creek) Upgrade | 10 | 20 |
| Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication | 240 | 300 |
| Gold Coast Rail Line Capacity Improvement (Kuraby to Beenleigh) - Preconstruction | 178.1 | 356.2 |
| Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers) Upgrades | 400 | 500 |
| Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road Intersection Upgrade | 35.3 | 44.1 |
| Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Packages 1 and 2) | 160 | 320 |
| Nicklin Way | 7 | 18.2 |
| Warrego Highway - Mt Crosby Road Interchange | 4 | 5 |
| Total | 1,439.4 | 2,062.2 |
| Existing Projects Receiving Additional Funding | Additional Australian Govenrment Funding ($ million) | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Gold Coast Light Rail - Stage 3 | 126.6 | 395.6 | 1,041.1 |
| Youngs Crossing Road, Lawnton | 25 | 32.8 | 58.5 |
| Total | 151.6 | 428.4 | 1,099.6 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for QLD: $1.6 billion
| Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) Allocation of Existing Funding | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade: | ||
| Flinders Highway (Julia Creek to Cloncurry) - Scrubby Creek Pavement Strengthening and Widening | 26.1 | 32.7 |
| Flinders Highway (Townsville - Charters Towers) Overtaking Lanes - Packages 1 and 2 | 18.4 | 23 |
| Flinders Highway (Townsville - Charters Towers) Wide Centre Line Treatment | 7.8 | 9.7 |
| Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade: | ||
| Gregory Developmental Road (Charters Towers - The Lynd): Feeder Road - Pavement Strengthening and Widening - Package 1 | 12.2 | 15.3 |
| Capricorn Highway and Gregory Highway Intersection Upgrade (Emerald) | 6.3 | 7.9 |
| Total | 70.8 | 88.5 |
Western Australia
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Great Eastern Highway Upgrades - Coates Gully, Walgoolan to Southern Cross and Ghooli to Benari | 200 | 250 |
| Great Northern Highway - Broome to Kununurra (Nellie Springs to Sally Downs Well and Arthur Creek) | 48 | 60 |
| Indian Ocean Drive - Jurien Bay to Brand Highway | 44 | 55 |
| Kalgoorlie Rail Realignment - Business Case | 2 | 2.5 |
| Mandurah Estuary Bridge Duplication | 55 | 110 |
| Marble Bar Road Upgrade | 48 | 120 |
| METRONET: Hamilton Street / Wharf Street Grade Separation and Elevation of Associated Stations | 237.5 | 475 |
| Orrong Road Expressway - Graham Farmer Freeway to Leach Highway Planning | 10 | 20 |
| Perth Airport Precinct - Northern Access | 85 | 170 |
| Reid Highway - Altone Road and Daviot Road / Drumpellier Drive - Grade Separated Intersections | 112.5 | 225 |
| Toodyay Road Upgrade - Dryandra to Toodyay | 64 | 80 |
| WA Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements - Package 1 | 160 | 200 |
| Wanneroo Road - Dunstan Road to Romeo Road - Duplication | 7.6 | 15.2 |
| Total | 1,073.6 | 1,782.7 |
| Existing Projects Receiving Additional Funding | Additional Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Leach Highway (Welshpool Road Interchange) | 21.5 | 68 | 136 |
| METRONET: Byford Extension | 110 | 350.5 | 635 |
| METRONET: High Capacity Signalling | 31.5 | 133.8 | 267.6 |
| Mitchell Freeway Extension - Hester Avenue to Romeo Road | 8.5 | 116 | 232 |
| Mitchell Freeway Widening Southbound - Cedric Street to Vincent Street | 7.2 | 39.2 | 49 |
| Port Augusta to Perth (WA) - Great Eastern Highway - Walgoolan to Southern Cross and Coates Gully | 14.4 | 32.4 | 40.5 |
| Regional State Road Safety Improvement Program | 16 | 96 | 120 |
| Thomas Road and Nicholson Road | 4 | 14 | 28 |
| Wanneroo Road - Morley Drive Intersection Upgrade, Balcatta | 2.5 | 10 | 20 |
| Wanneroo Road and Joondalup Drive Interchange | 6 | 38.7 | 62 |
| Total | 221.6 | 898.6 | 1,590.1 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for WA: $1.3 billion
South Australia
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Augusta Highway Duplication Stage 2 | 148 | 185 |
| Eyre Highway Widening and Upgrade Planning Study | 1 | 2 |
| Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass Planning Study | 5 | 10 |
| Heysen Tunnel Refit and Upgrade - Stage 2 | 48 | 60 |
| Kangaroo Island Road Safety and Bushfire Resilience Package | 32 | 40 |
| Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive Intersection Upgrade | 22.5 | 45 |
| Murray Bridge to South East Links Planning Study | 2.5 | 5 |
| North East Road and Nottage Terrace Intersection Upgrade | 3 | 6 |
| North-South Corridor - Darlington to Anzac Highway | 2,600 | 5,200 |
| Truro Bypass | 161.6 | 202 |
| Total | 3,023.6 | 5,755 |
| Existing Projects Receiving Additional Funding | Additional Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands - Main Access Road Upgrade - Stuart Highway to Pukatja | 12 | 125.4 | 156.8 |
| Gawler Rail Line Electrification | 60 | 280 | 560 |
| Goodwood and Torrens Junction | 3.1 | 205.7 | 388.6 |
| Overpass at Port Wakefield and Township Duplication | 27.6 | 99.6 | 124.5 |
| Strzelecki Track Upgrade - Sealing | 64 | 164 | 205 |
| Total | 166.7 | 874.7 | 1,434.9 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for SA: $3.2 billion
Tasmania
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Algona Road Grade Separated Interchange and Duplication of the Kingston Bypass | 48 | 60 |
| Huon Link Road | 13.2 | 16.5 |
| Midland Highway Upgrade - Campbell Town North (Campbell Town to Epping Forest) | 37.8 | 54 |
| Midland Highway Upgrade - Oatlands (Jericho to South of York Plains) | 36.4 | 45.5 |
| Midland Highway Upgrade - Ross (Mona Vale Road to Campbell Town) | 35.7 | 44.6 |
| Rokeby Road - South Arm Road Upgrades | 44 | 55 |
| Tasmanian Roads Package - Bass Highway Safety and Freight Efficiency Upgrades Package - Future Priorities | 80 | 100 |
| Total | 295.1 | 375.6 |
| Existing Projects Receiving Additional Funding | Additional Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Tasmanian Midland Highway Upgrade - Preconstruction | 3.5 | 18.9 | 25.9 |
| Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation - Tranche 3 - Port of Burnie Shiploader Upgrade | 24 | 64 | 64 |
| Total | 27.5 | 82.9 | 89.9 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for TAS: $322.6 million
Northern Territory
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Development Study for a Proposed Tennant Creek Multimodal Facility and Rail Terminal | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Northern Territory National Network Highway Upgrades (Phase 2) | 150 | 150 |
| Northern Territory Gas Industry Upgrades | 173.6 | 217 |
| Total | 323.9 | 367.3 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for NT: $323.9 million
| Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) Allocations of Existing Funding | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Alice Springs to Darwin Corridor: | ||
| Arnhem Highway Upgrade at Beatrice Hill | 25.3 | 31.7 |
| Roper Highway Upgrade (Stage 1) | 4.3 | 5.4 |
| Alice Springs to Halls Creek Corridor Upgrade - Scoping and Investigations | 3.3 | 4.1 |
| Total | 33 | 41.2 |
Australian Capital Territory
| New Projects | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Betlana Road Improvements | 2.50 | 5 |
| Canberra Light Rail - Stage 2A | 132.5 | 265 |
| William Hovell Drive Duplication | 26.5 | 53 |
| Total | 161.5 | 323 |
| Existing Projects Receiving Additional Funding | Additional Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Australian Government Funding ($ million) | Total Funding ($ million) |
| Gundaroo Drive Duplication | 5 | 25 | 54.5 |
| Variable Speed Limit System | 0.8 | 1.1 | 4.5 |
| Total | 5.8 | 26.1 | 59 |
Total Australian Government Funding in 2021-22 Budget for ACT: $167.3 million
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
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