Commuters and construction workers are being promised a $100 billion pipeline of road and rail projects in Tuesday night’s federal budget.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has pledged to dispatch ‘cranes, hard hats and heavy machinery’ across the country over the next decade.
Mr Frydenberg expects the projects to ease congestion in major cities, better manage population growth, improve road safety and unlock hidden potential in regional towns.
Commuters and construction workers are being promised a $100 billion pipeline of road and rail projects in Tuesday night’s federal budget
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has pledged to dispatch ‘cranes, hard hats and heavy machinery’ across the country over the next decade
‘A strong economy needs ongoing investment in roads, rail, bridges, dams and ports,’ he told parliament.
‘We know you want to be there for the school drop off, to help the kids with their homework and spend more time together at the dinner table.’
‘Tonight, I can announce that the Coalition Government is boosting our infrastructure spending to $100 billion over the decade.’
The federal government is also topping up a near-depleted $1 billion fund for ‘congestion-busting’ projects.
The Urban Congestion Fund has also been increased four-fold from $1 billion to $4 billion including a $500 million Commuter Car Park Fund.
There will now be $4 billion to spend on ‘immediate, practical’ measures to cut travel times in major cities, removing bottlenecks and upgrading key travel corridors.
The government has copped criticism for the overwhelming number of such projects already announced in coalition-held seats.
However, with a federal election due next month, its four-fold funding boost will be a welcome sign for other MPs looking to spruik local projects in their electorates.
The treasurer has also announced a $500 million ‘commuter car parking’ fund, which is expected to take tens of thousands of cars off the roads by improving access to public transport hubs.
He is also promising to spend $2 billion on a fast-rail service between Melbourne and Geelong, slashing travel times in half.
Money for other fast rail and major road projects has been progressively rolled out over the past few months.
Mr Frydenberg said a commitment to high speed rail was ‘central’ to the government’s rail vision for the future of Australia
Mr Frydenberg said a commitment to high speed rail was ‘central’ to the government’s rail vision for the future of Australia.
‘To make this vision a reality, we are providing $2 billion in this Budget for fast rail between Melbourne and Geelong, slashing travel times in half,’ he said.
‘Work is under way to develop fast rail corridors in other areas – Sydney to Wollongong, Newcastle, Bathurst, Orange to Parks, Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, Melbourne to Shepparton, Toralgan to Wodonga.’
A high speed train would cut travel time from Melbourne to Sydney and Sydney to Brisbane to as little as three hours and just one hour between Sydney and Canberra.
There will now be $4 billion to spend on ‘immediate, practical’ measures to cut travel times in major cities, removing bottlenecks and upgrading key travel corridors
In March Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government was committed to projects that would have real and positive impacts for voters.
‘A Melbourne-to-Brisbane fast rail link is a very ambitious program,’ he said.
‘We’re focusing on projects that we know are going to make a big difference to people right here and now.’
Billions will also be spent on road safety measures, key freight routes and access to major ports.
‘In this Budget there is an additional $2.2 billion for safer roads,’ Mr Frydenberg said.
‘$1 billion to improve freight routes and access to ports (and) $100 million for regional airports.