More than $1 billion in infrastructure projects has been added to our investment pipeline in just three months according to the National Infrastructure Construction Schedule (NICS).
Since May, 14 new major projects valued at $50 million or more have been added to the NICS.
The NICS is a reform of this Labor Government and for the first time in Australian history provides the infrastructure sector with a database of all known and forecast infrastructure investment by all three levels of Government.
This is information that is high in demand with the website already registering more than 800,000 hits both locally and overseas.
The NICS has effectively replaced the countless number of websites and newspapers that builders, investors and infrastructure providers used to rely on for new contract and investment opportunities.
To make it even easier for the sector to use the NICS, an RSS feed has been added ensuring that regular visitors are alerted as soon as new projects are added to our infrastructure pipeline.
Over time, the NICS will open up and attract more participants into the sector, which in turn will be good for competition and the price taxpayers ultimately pay to build the modern, well-planned infrastructure Australia needs for the future.
More than ever before, modern, well planned infrastructure matters and unlike the Coalition, Labor knows that Governments have a role in making sure it gets built.
After more than a decade of neglect and underinvestment, total investment in the nation’s roads, railways, electricity generators and water facilities has surged since Labor took office in 2007, hitting a record $51.5 billion in 2010–11. This is more than twice the level of a decade ago.
And this boom is set to continue. The latest (May 2012) Australian Industry Group/Australian Constructors Association Outlook survey forecasts the value of (non-mining) infrastructure construction is expected to rise 13 per cent this year and a further 9.5 per cent next year.
It’s clear that the far-reaching reforms we have implemented and the unprecedented capital works program we have initiated are laying the foundations for a very bright future.
The 14 new projects added to the NICS

• Banksia Grove Senior High School Stage 1 (WA)


• Glenunga International High School (SA)


• Goodwood and Torrens Upgrade (SA)


• IWSS Perth GWR Stage 2—14 GL/year (CW02787) (WA)


• Mandurah Gordon Road WWTP 12-16 ML/day Upgrde (CS01406) (WA)


• Modbury Hospital Redevelopment (SA)


• Mount Gambier Health Service (SA)


• Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm to Anna Bay Stage 3 (NSW)


• Pacific Highway—Nambucca Heads to Urunga (NSW)


• Port Lincoln Health Service Redevelopment (NSW)


• Subiaco WWTP Secondary Treatment to 75 ML/day (CS01100) (WA)


• Thomsons Reservoir Pond 2 & Roof (CW00172) (WA)


• West Pilbara Cape Lambert Main Extension Upgrade (CW01569) (WA)


• Woodman Pt WWTP Sludge Upgde 180-240ML/day. (CS02130) (WA)

In total, 70 projects are listed on the NICS with a combined value of $57 billion.