Improving funding approaches for rail projects

OPTIONS for improving how major rail projects are funded will be discussed at a videoconference public hearing on August 17, 2020 for the inquiry into options for financing faster rail.

John Alexander MP, Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, said, "Governments have a responsibility to ensure that tax payer dollars are being used effectively on vital rail and wider infrastructure projects.

"Mr Steve Skinner will provide the committee with interesting evidence on opportunities lost for value capture, where infrastructure projects have created significant uplifts in land values," Mr Alexander said..

The Property Council of Australia will provide a stakeholder perspective on planning and tax reform challenges and opportunities, including voluntary planning agreements and government investment in infrastructure projects through ‘asset recycling’, involving the sale or lease of existing public assets to the private sector.

The committee will also hear from independent think tank Infrastructure Partnerships Australia about alternatives for funding major infrastructure.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 17 August 2020
Time: 9.15am to 11.45am
Location: Videoconference

A program for the hearing is available on the Committee’s website.

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

ends