Infrastructure audit welcomed as foundation for Victoria’s infrastructure future

CHIEF Executive Mark Stone said VECCI welcomes the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Australian Infrastructure Audit Report.

"The report contains a comprehensive and strategic assessment of Australia’s infrastructure, including current and prospective gaps across a range of infrastructure areas including transport, energy, telecommunications and water," Mr Stone said.

"The audit provides a compelling case to all governments that infrastructure reform must be a priority if we are to raise economic competitiveness and living standards.

"With a strong evidence based assessment of the key drivers of future infrastructure demand, especially population and economic growth, the report calls for a series of infrastructure related reforms to raise productivity and strengthen the economy."

These include:

• Better and more integrated infrastructure and land use planning.
• Further market reform, particularly in the transport and energy sectors.
• Increased infrastructure funding, encouraging more investment from the private sector in partnership with governments.      
• Improved governance in infrastructure planning and decision making.
• Changes by governments to make major project procurement more efficient, including reducing administrative burdens and streamlining assessment processes.
• More transparent links between user charges and expenditure on infrastructure planning, investment and maintenance. 

"Importantly, the report highlights the need to extract more value from our existing infrastructure assets through efficient management, improved maintenance and smarter use of technology," Mr Stone said.

"It also reinforces the benefits of a strong and consistent pipeline of well-planned infrastructure projects.  Such a pipeline is crucial to providing confidence and certainty for private sector infrastructure developers and investors.

"VECCI welcomes the report’s call for wider and deeper community engagement throughout the infrastructure decision making process.  In support of the development of the Australian Infrastructure Plan, VECCI will be making a submission on the findings from the audit following close consultation with our members."

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au

 

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