The federal budget will contain $17.9 billion for new and existing road and rail infrastructure projects, boosting the 10-year investment pipeline to more than $120 billion.

The expenditure was foreshadowed in a series of statements released by the federal government on Monday, detailing targeted projects in every state and territory.

Big ticket items include $3.1 billion for the Melbourne Intermodal Terminal Package and $1 billion each for faster rail upgrades in Queensland and NSW.  South Australia’s North South Corridor will get $2.2 billion in additional funding.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who will hand down the budget on Tuesday night,  says the investment will unlock jobs and help grow the economy.

“By enhancing transport connectivity, we’re strengthening our supply chains against challenges such as COVID-related disruptions and the impact of natural disasters,” he said in a statement.

Australia’s peak local government organisation ALGA, which has been calling for a locally-led recovery, says it isn’t immediately clear whether any of the funding will be invested through councils.

ALGA supported any investment in Australia’s infrastructure, president Linda Scott told Government News, but local projects mustn’t come at the cost of high profile large-scale items.

“It’s encouraging to see investment in these bigger projects, but we know there are so many local projects in our communities that also need funding support,” she said.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun, whose LGA is set to benefit from more than $142 million towards the Sydney Metro-Western Airport line and an upgrade to the M5 Motorway, said the funding was welcome but not enough.

Further investment was required to create “the thriving, bustling metropolis that we envision for our city”, he said, including affordable houses, better transport connectivity, increased recreational spaces and more infrastructure across Western Sydney. 

Breakdown of budget infrastructure spend

QUEENSLAND – $3.9 billion, including

• $1.6 billion for the Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast (Beerwah-Maroochydore) rail extension

• $1.121 billion for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast (Kuraby – Beenleigh) Faster Rail Upgrade

• $150 million for the Brisbane Metro – Woolloongabba Station

• $396 million for the South East Queensland City Deal

VICTORIA – $3.3 billion, including

• $109.5 million for the Mickleham Road Upgrade

• $45 million for the Ballarat to Ouyen – Future Priorities

• $23.1 million for the Canterbury Road Upgrade

NSW $3.3 billion, including:

• $1 billion for the Sydney to Newcastle – (Tuggerah to Wyong) faster rail upgrade

• $336 million for the Pacific Highway – Wyong Town Centre

• $264 million for the Newell Highway Upgrade, North Moree

• $232.5 million for Mulgoa Road Stage 2

• $100 million for the Southern Connector Road, Jindabyne

• $352 million for the Milton Ulladulla Bypass

• $300 million for the Grade Separating Road Interfaces

SA – $2.8 billion, including

• $200 million for the Marion Road

• $120 million for the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package

WA – $2.1 billion, including:

• $145 million for the Thomas Road – Dual Carriageway

• $140 million for Regional Road Safety Upgrades

• $100 million for the METRONET: Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal

• $320 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (Stages 2 and 3)

• $200 million for the Tonkin Highway Stage 3 Extension

• $178 million for the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation – Stages 1 and 2

• $135 million for the METRONET: Thornlie-Cockburn Link

• $116 million for the METRONET: High Capacity Signalling

TASMANIA – $639 million, including:

• $336 million for the Tasmanian Roads Package – Northern Roads Package – Stage 2

• $100 million for the Great Eastern Drive Tourism Support – additional packages

NT – $361 million, including:

• $132 million for Central Australian Tourism Roads

ACT – $51 million including:

• $46.7 million for the Athllon Drive Duplication