PM Network - May 2013

Getting Projects Up to
Speed Down Under

As transportation and building projects boom in Asia, Australia is feeling the pressure to stay competitive by putting infrastructure projects on the fast-track.

But that’s a tall order for a country with a poor record for getting things done. Australia received a “C” grade on the last two Infrastructure Report Cards released by industry group Engineers Australia, in 2005 and 2010. The latter grade came despite government attempts to correct for underspending.

“One of the differences between the infrastructure debate in Asia and Australia is that leaders in Asia announce plans for new investments and they get them done, while Australian politicians announce them—and then the bickering starts,” Glenda Korpo-raal wrote in The Australian.

Projects grind to a standstill for a number of reasons, says professor
Corinne Mulley, PhD, a transport economist specialist and chair in public

Perth

PROJECTS IN MOTION

Transportation projects are needed in Australia to ease the effects of urban population growth and keep the country competitive globally. Here’s a look at the country’s project road map:

Sydney

Melbourne

PROJECT

● Port of Hastings

DESCRIPTION

The rail project will alleviate congestion on commuter trains to Melbourne’s suburbs, allowing an extra 54,000 passenger trips each day. It is currently the largest infrastructure project in Australia. Concerns over engineering plans and civic disruption have slowed construction on the proposed 9-kilometer ( 5.6-mile) dual-track rail line that aims to provide subterranean transportation for Melbourne’s citizens. The deepwater shipping port will be the largest infrastructure project in Victoria in 100 years. Driverless trucks have been proposed to maneuver cargo to an inland port.

To boost freight shipping, the planned highway will connect Sydney’s seaport and international air terminal.

COST

AUD12 billion

COMPLETION

Not yet scheduled

● Metro Rail Tunnel
AUD10 billion
Not yet scheduled

● M5 East Duplication
AUD5.2 billion
Not yet scheduled

● Regional Rail Link
AUD5.2 billion

2016

● East-West
Road Link
The Melbourne freeway tunnel is expected to relieve traffic gridlock
by connecting the Eastern Freeway and the Western Ring Road.

AUD5 billion
Not yet scheduled

● Peninsula Link
The Melbourne freeway addition connects the city to the Mornington
Peninsula, shortening commutes by up to 40 minutes.

AUD759 million
Completed in
January

● Perth Airport and
Freight Access Project
Roads and bridgeworks in Western Australia would help acceler-
ate shipping in the continent’s mineral and petroleum region.

AUD600 million
Not yet scheduled

● Sydney’s Second
Airport
To connect Melbourne to the Avalon airport, the government
is reviewing proposals for an expansion of Melbourne’s railway
network—the biggest in more than 30 years.
Curfews and freight-capacity limits hamstring the current airport
from growing as an international presence in tourism and shipping.
A proposed second airport would ease those obstacles.