'budget Reply: `infrastructure Nsw' Would Underpin Better Infrastructure Procurement, Delivery Says

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18 JUNE 2009

Budget Reply: `Infrastructure NSW' Would Underpin Better Infrastructure Procurement, Delivery Says Industry

The NSW Opposition's plan for a new, specialist infrastructure coordination agency would be an important step to deliver certainty and best value for State significant infrastructure projects, says Infrastructure Partnerships Australia the nation's peak infrastructure body.

"The focus by the NSW Opposition on global best practice to identify, prioritise and procure the State's next generation of major projects is important, if NSW is to enhance productivity and prosperity into the future," said Executive Director Brendan Lyon.

"NSW faces a massive challenge to fund all the projects we need to ease congestion, grow the economy and enhance public services in areas like health, transport and education.

"This body would arm NSW with the expertise it needs to better invest limited government capital and better harness private investment in appropriate projects.

"The next generation of major projects in New South Wales are of an unprecedented scale and complexity. That's why we need to evolve the way that we analyse, assess and deliver these projects.

"Delivering these major projects efficiently and at the best value for money to
taxpayers will be critical to restoring the State's economic growth.

"The impact of the global financial crisis on the public and private sectors has been profound. The challenge now facing governments across the world is to provide the certainty that private sector needs to invest with confidence.

"That's why the agency announced by the NSW Opposition is welcome. It would
provide a single point of contact, backed with the skills that are needed to assess, plan and procure major projects.

"This plan captures the best elements of international experience in the United
Kingdom, Canada and elsewhere and learning from sound experiences with Infrastructure Australia and Partnerships Victoria.

"To an extent, NSW has suffered from changing infrastructure priorities in recent years.

"It's clear that we need to have much greater clarity and certainty around what roads, rail links, hospitals and schools the State needs to grow.

"The private sector would be much better able to target its resources and investment if NSW can deliver a real forward plan of the projects it would deliver.

"Victoria and Queensland have long-term infrastructure plans that run 20, 30 and even 50 years into the future. Infrastructure NSW would equip this State with the skills it needs to develop similar, long-term infrastructure plans.

"The ability to plan projects across portfolios and to have highly skilled experts to procure and deliver the projects would also mean that taxpayers will be better protected from cost overruns and late delivery of projects.

"The national infrastructure sector welcomes this announcement and we look forward to discussing further details with the Opposition in the coming months."



Media contact:
Ruci Fixter
0438 380 464




Infrastructure Partnerships Australia is a national forum, comprising public & private sector CEO Members, advocating the public policy interests of Australia's Infrastructure Industry.


SOURCE: Infrastructure Partnerships Australia