Infrastructure Australia released it latest report highlighting the case for corridor protection in our major cities recently
Entitled ‘Corridor Protection: Planning and investing for the long term’, the report outlines the most pressing priority for protection as the east coast High Speed Rail corridor stretching from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Other corridors of vital importance include Outer Sydney Orbital, Outer Melbourne Ring, Western Sydney Airport Rail Line, Western Sydney Freight Line, Hunter Valley Freight Line and Port of Brisbane Freight Line.
Infrastructure Australia is recommending that a national framework for corridor protection be put in place to guide all levels of government.
Infrastructure Australia chairman Mark Birrell says a coordinated approach, involving joint governance arrangements to oversee land acquisition, joint funding commitments, and joint agreement regarding land use management measures will keep governments at both levels committed to what he describes and an “urgent task”.
“Done well, corridor protection will underpin the viability of future infrastructure projects, widen the options for their delivery and save taxpayers billions across the life of the projects,” he says.
“A national framework for corridor protection is necessary to help ensure constant action by each relevant government. We need to see results over the next three to five years.”
Above all, Birrell says that prioritising this work will deliver an enduring infrastructure legacy to future generations.
“The gain for taxpayers from protecting the seven corridors, the estimated $11 billion saving is the equivalent of more than two years’ spending by the Australian Government on land transport such as major roads, railways and local roads,” Birrell explains.
“The most pressing priority for protection is the east coast High Speed Rail corridor.
“This critical corridor faces immediate pressure due to its proximity to major population centres and should be a focus for the NSW, Victorian and federal governments.”
State and territory governments historically have shown leadership in protecting infrastructure corridors – with NSW and Victoria being particularly pro-active recently, according to Birrell.
“The M4, M5 and M7 motorways in Sydney, the M1 and EastLink motorways in Melbourne and the rail line to Mandurah south of Perth are excellent examples where the foresight to protect infrastructure corridors in the past allowed large cities to thrive and accommodate their growing populations.”
Corridors of national importance:
• East Coast High Speed Rail
• Outer Sydney Orbital
• Outer Melbourne Ring
• Western Sydney Airport Rail Line
• Western Sydney Freight Line
• Hunter Valley Freight Line
• Port of Brisbane Freight Line