Todd Williams, CEO Regional Development Australia Hunter

RECENTLY the National Infrastructure Audit was released by Infrastructure Australia.

It gives an overview of the challenges and opportunities that exist for Australia’s Infrastructure planning and development. The audit also seeks submissions from stakeholders for what we think is important and why we need infrastructure built in our region.   

It’s no surprise that good infrastructure is crucial to having a competitive region and better connecting the Hunter to markets is essential. Connectivity is a key part of RDA Hunter’s economic development agenda. 

The Hunter has had some big wins with infrastructure development because it has been able to articulate why and what is needed to grow its economy. 

The Hunter Economic Infrastructure Plan presents some of the significant regional economic priorities supported by RDA Hunter. 

This plan continues to guide government funding decisions for Hunter infrastructure projects. 

The Hunter Economic Infrastructure Plan (HEIP) was developed by RDA Hunter and Infrastructure NSW.  This economic framework has received support from State and Federal government ministers and advisory bodies.

It details the business case for prioritised infrastructure projects that have been identified through consultation and independently assessed for the economic value they will create. 

To date our economic blueprint has attracted funding commitments of over $856million for regional infrastructure projects.  It also reinforces the importance of strategic corridors for the movement of people, freight and goods and the reduction of impacts on communities along the Hunter’s export supply chain.

Infrastructure Australia has acknowledged the work of RDA Hunter in developing sound business cases for each of the priority projects identified in the HEIP.  Subsequently, these projects have been included in the National Infrastructure Priority List as drivers of economic sustainability for the region, NSW and Australia.  The federal and NSW governments have committed to providing matched funding for priority projects identified in the HEIP including:

■  The second Tourle St Bridge and duplication of access roads (total $103.8million)

■  New England Highway bypass of Scone and a local bridge over the rail level crossing (total $90million)

Other projects included in the HEIP that have received funding commitments include:

■  New England Highway upgrade between Belford and the Golden Highway (NSW $85million)

■  Widening of Singleton Gowrie Gates (NSW $20million)

■  Singleton Bypass (NSW $92million)

■  Muswellbrook bypass (NSW $68million)

■  Aberdeen to Willow Tree upgrades to the highway (NSW $20million)

Typically, infrastructure developments have long timeframes.

 The Scone project is timetabled for completion by 2019. Detailed designs for the Kooragang Island connectivity project are due in the next couple of months.

The HEIP also recommended upgrades to infrastructure assets outside of the Hunter to increase export capacity through the Port of Newcastle and streamline the delivery of freight. Earlier this year work began on the $32million project to deliver a new crossing over the Great Northern Railway at Gunnedah and plans for improvements to the Golden Highway were announced attracting over $132million of federal and state funds.

The former Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services, observed that: “This is just the type of research that needs to be undertaken to have a chance of funding when there are many competing infrastructure needs across the state and nation.”

This network of high quality roads and interchanges will reduce travel times, improve productivity, and streamline connectivity with the Port of Newcastle, the airport and national highway system.  This will enable the region to take advantage of the opportunity to be in touch with 1.5billion customers.

View the Newcastle Herald story http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3118268/todd-williams-structuring-opportunities/?cs=4200