By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
VECCI is calling on the new State Government to use its first State Budget to develop an Infrastructure Plan, prioritising projects that will help drive economic development and improve liveability.
Substandard infrastructure cannot support a growing economy and recent audits have shown the State’s infrastructure stock is in need of attention.
Effective infrastructure planning and delivery has never been more important in supporting economic activity, increasing capital and labour productivity, helping export growth and raising competitiveness, incomes and living standards.
Key projects VECCI believes should to be included in a long-term Infrastructure Plan (out to 2030) are:
- The extension of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre
- East-West road/public transport link
- Completion of the metropolitan ring road-North East interconnector
- Building of both eastern and western arms of Melbourne Metro
- Maximisation and possible extension of Webb Dock
- A Major Projects Facilitation Bill to help progress important projects
- New and improved nature-based tourism facilities, particularly on public land
- Acceleration of the Tourism Investment Fund to kick-start important projects
- A regional superhighway between Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and the Hume Highway
- Enhancement of Docklands infrastructure to improve liveability, including canals.
It’s clear Victoria’s infrastructure is in need of a targeted approach to its maintenance and improvement: the 2010 Victorian Infrastructure Report Card by the Institution of Engineers rated the State’s energy, telecommunication, transport and water infrastructure as ‘barely adequate’.
A strategic approach to infrastructure supports economic growth, helps Victoria’s business competitiveness and maintains the State’s liveability which is sustaining our population growth. Therefore, the new State Government should use its first State Budget to ensure Victoria will have the right infrastructure, in the right places and at the right time.
A well-drafted and integrated Infrastructure Plan will help ensure funding is directed towards projects that prioritise the most urgent infrastructure problems.
The Baillieu Government has an opportunity with its first State Budget to articulate its short and long-term plans for infrastructure projects and VECCI looks forward to commitments in this area.
More information about VECCI’s State Budget Submission can be found at whatbusinesswants.com
Where is rail in all of this. If we are to learn anything from history, it is that we should be planning an extensive rail system for Melbourne. Enough of the super highways and extensive road systems, these have proven ineffective in the medium, even the short term.
A comprehensive underground rail system covering all of Melbourne should definitely be a priority on the agenda.