The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has welcomed the first Budget of the returned NSW Coalition Government, as it signals on ongoing commitment to collaboration with the Federal Government in relation to key infrastructure projects.
This collaboration will ultimately improve the liveability of Australia’s most populous state and is something UDIA has been advocating through its policy recommendations.
“Earlier this week we launched our post Federal election action plan, Building A Better Australia,which outlines six policy priorities across population, cities, infrastructure, housing, tax and regulation,” says Connie Kirk, UDIA National Executive Director.
“One of our key recommendations is the establishment of a Bi-PartisanInfrastructure Accord, to deliver long term certainty in planning and delivery. An Accord will elevate designated critical projects above the political fray and election cycles, ensuring that critical infrastructure can be delivered.”
Key projects for State and Federal collaboration highlighted in the 2019 NSW Budget include more than $2 billion in the next four years for the planning and preconstruction of the North South Metro Rail Link to Western Sydney Airport from St Marys and $1.5 billion over four years to continue the Pacific Highway upgrade program.
“The Federal Government is contributing $6.3 billion to NSW’s capital program over four years to 30 June 2023. It has also previously publicly committedto contributing $3 billion for Sydney Metro West, which will link Parramatta to the CBD,” says Connie Kirk.
“These projects will help create jobs, encourage economic growth and aredesigned to make communities more liveable today, while building infrastructure that’s needed now and into the future.
“We look forward to seeing an ongoing collaboration between the Federal and NSW Governments to ensure the timely delivery of much needed infrastructure for the benefit of those living in Sydney and across the entire state,” says Connie Kirk.
“We also look forward to offering our support and expertise in relation to these important matters affecting our future and point to our six policy recommendations in our plan Building a Better Australia.”
A full copy of Building A Better Australia is available at www.udiacampaign.com.au