According to Infrastructure Partnerships Australia’s (IPA) 2019 Budget Monitor, New South Wales is the biggest spender among the states in public infrastructure investment, for the third year in a row.

Victoria came in second place, with a $13.4 billion increase from the previous year’s budget, injecting $53 billion to infrastructure funding over the next four years.

Queensland placed third, followed by the Northern Territory in terms of public infrastructure funding per capita.

Adrian Dwyer, Chief Executive of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia said, NSW stayed ahead on the national table with an impressive infrastructure pipeline.

“Over the next four years, NSW will spend more than $71 billion on projects right across the state, 18.4 per cent of total planned budget expenditure,” he said.

“It’s good to see that despite significant revenue pressure, states and territories across Australia have responded to our call to continue pressing the pedal on infrastructure spending,” Dwyer said. 

“Australia faces an unprecedented population and productivity growth challenge that must be met with sustained spending on transport, hospital, and school projects right across the country.”

In 2018, NSW’s and VIC’s spending accounted for 68 per cent of total infrastructure funding for Australia.

Being an industry sector, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia provides independent policy research focused on social and economic infrastructure.

IPA’s Budget Monitor shows states that use asset recycling have been able to tap into a major pool of capital investment in large infrastructure projects.

According to Roads & Infrastructure Magazine’s contract rundown, there were 11 contracts in NSW (Q4, 2018):

Parramatta Light Rail – Stage 1

WestConnex – M4-M5 Rozelle Interchange

Sydney – System Integrator Contract

Mona Wale Road Upgrade

Charleyong Bridge

Sydney Metro – Line Works Package

Sydney Metro – Finishing and Ancillary Works Contract

The Northern Road Upgrade – Luddenham – Glenmore

Mulgoa/Castlereagh Road Upgrade

Limondale Solar Farm Construction

Inland Rail – Parkes to Narromine