Infrastructure NSW has made 30 investment recommendations on the next round of critical infrastructure for NSW—set out in the ‘State Infrastructure Strategy Update 2014’, published today.

The recommendations are for infrastructure projects and programs valued at $18.9 billion.

Independent modelling by Deloitte Access Economics has found that if implemented effectively the

recommendations would increase the Gross State Product by $30.9 billion and add 122,000 more jobs.

Infrastructure NSW’s report targets three priority areas: Global Sydney’s competitiveness; supporting population and economic growth in Greater Sydney, including Parramatta and Western Sydney; and ensuring productive regional industries and connected regional communities.

The ‘State Infrastructure Strategy Update 2014’ was prepared by Infrastructure NSW at the direction of the Premier to guide how proceeds from the Rebuilding NSW initiative could be spent.

Infrastructure NSW Chairman Graham Bradley said that accelerating much needed infrastructure has the potential to deliver significant economic and social benefits to the community.

“There is considerable capacity to deliver elements of the Government’s infrastructure program sooner—in transport, health, water and culture, sporting and environmental infrastructure,” he said.

“The 30 major projects and programs we have recommended are strategically important and
economically sound. They should be brought forward, with final business cases prepared over the next 18 months.

“This will allow the NSW Government to take budgetary decisions in a timely fashion, after the proposed Rebuilding NSW transaction.

“The investments proposed must be complemented by continued intensive use of existing assets to

make the most of past investments".

“Working with the private sector, given the breath and pace of delivery, to maximise value for money

outcomes, will also be critical to success,” Mr Bradley said.

Key investment recommendations include:

• Increasing Sydney’s global competitiveness
  
• • $8 billion to deliver a step-change in capacity and reliability of Sydney’s rail system:
  • • Western Sydney Rail (Sydney’s Rail Future Stage 2) $1 billion
    • Sydney Rapid Transit $7 billion
  • $6.3 billion to expedite critical motorways to be funded as toll roads including:
  • • WestConnex Northern and Southern Extensions $1.8 billion
    • Western Harbour Tunnel $4.5 billion
  • $1 billion to reduce congestion in the road network:
  • • Urban Pinch Point Program $300 million
    • Expanded Clearways Program $100 million
    • Smart Motorways $400 million
    • Transport management systems $200 million
• Supporting population and economic growth in Greater Sydney, including Parramatta
  
• • $600 million for the Parramatta CBD Public Transport Improvement Program
  • $300 million Bus Rapid Transit and Bus Priority Program
  • $300 million Pinch Point Upgrade Program Sydney – Illawarra
  • $100 million Corridor Preservation Program
  • $1.4 billion for Education and Health facilities in Greater Sydney:
  • • Schools Growth Program $700 million
    • Hospitals Growth Program $600 million
    • Care Co-location Program $100 million
  • $1.2 billion for cultural and sporting investment for Global and Greater Sydney:
  • • Cultural Infrastructure Program $600 million
    • Sports Stadia Infrastructure Program $600 million
• Ensuring a competitive and connected regional economy
  
• • $3.1 billion for efficient freight transport to ports and markets:
  • • Freight Road Corridor Program $2 billion
    • Bridges for the Bush $200 million
    • Fixing Country Roads $500 million
    • Fixing Country Rail $400 million
  • $1 billion Regional Growth Roads Program
  • $1 billion Regional Water Security and Supply Fund
  • $300 million Regional Schools Renewal Program
  • $300 million Regional Multi-Purpose Health Facilities Program
  • $300 million Regional Environment and Tourism Program

Some of the other key reforms recommended include:

• Improving passenger rail journey times between Sydney and Parramatta, as well as the Central Coast and Illawarra
• Review options for Beaches Link with a view to implementation in 10 to 20 years’ time
  
• Comprehensively plan for Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek
  
• A number of freight corridors are identified for investigation
  
• Identify funding sources to implement flood mitigation and evacuation options for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley
• Develop a whole of sector cultural infrastructure strategy.
  

The recommendations in the Update were prepared for the NSW Government for its consideration in

developing plans for infrastructure investment. The State Infrastructure Strategy Update 2014 is

available at www.insw.com.