The Federal Government will cut its funding commitment to improved commuter carparking in Woy Woy and a faster rail upgrade between Tuggerah and Wyong, effectively skittling the two vital infrastructure projects.
They are among a raft of projects scrapped following an independent strategic review of the Infrastructure Investment Program.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced on Thursday, November 16, that 50 projects would be cut after the review found the country’s $120B infrastructure 10-year pipeline was facing a $32.8B blowout.
King said while the Government was committed to delivering the infrastructure Australia needed, creating jobs and growing the economy while not increasing pressure on inflation, the independent strategic review found that the Infrastructure Investment Program inherited from the former Coalition Government was undeliverable.
“There are projects (in the pipeline) that do not demonstrate merit, lack any national strategic rationale and do not meet the Australian government’s national investment priorities,” the review said.
“Too many large-scale projects are receiving funding commitments without adequate planning, costings and programming to sufficiently manage the significant increase in delivery costs within a volatile market.”
King said following consultation with the states and territories, the Federal Government now has a forward plan of projects that are “properly planned and targeted to unlock significant economic, social and environmental objectives” as she outlined a range of projects which will go ahead.
This will be cold comfort to Central Coast commuters.
King said the projects cut were not realistically going to be delivered with the funding available, had made little to no progress over a significant amount of time and do not align with Commonwealth or state and territory priorities.
“The Government will continue to work with all levels of government to make it easier to get around our cities and suburbs and unlock the potential of our towns and regions,” she said.
“We will also deliver infrastructure that makes driving on our roads safer and that sees more people on more trains.”
The NSW Opposition has slammed the decision, with leader Mark Speakman calling on State Premier Chris Minns to find a way to fund the key projects without federal funding input.
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the move would impact residents, tourists and businesses in the regions, including the Central Coast.
“These significant upgrades are needed to provide a safer and more reliable journey for the thousands of residents, commuters and freight operators,“ he said.
The review report’s executive summary, the Final Report of the Independent Review of the National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects and a summary of changes to projects funded under the Infrastructure Investment Program are available at www.infrastructure.gov.au