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Major infrastructure initiatives are being undertaken or planned by the Australian and State governments around Australia. From 2007-08 to 2010-2011, Victoria has announced a total of A$13 billion in infrastructure spending1, New South Wales' capital expenditure is expected to total A$49.6 billion2 and Western Australia's capital works program will total A$21.6 billion3. The Australian Government has recently allocated A$22.3 billion to be invested from 2009-10 to 2013-14 to improve Australia's land transport system.
Infrastructure projects include economic infrastructure such as rail, road, ports, electricity, gas and water, and social infrastructure projects such as hospitals, educational facilities and correctional institutions. In addition to State funded projects, a raft of major construction projects associated with Australia's minerals and petroleum industries are committed or under consideration.
There are increasing opportunities for private sector firms to engage in Public Private Partnerships (PPP) or other forms of contract arrangements in infrastructure sectors traditionally dominated by State Government ownership. State Governments have all established PPP guidelines based on a "value for money" framework where project risks and benefits are shared between the parties.
The number of companies in Australia with the ability to construct very large scale commercial and engineering projects is currently limited. Service providers to the construction industry such as architects, project management consultants and civil engineers are also in limited supply. Consequently, both the Australian and State and Territory Governments would like to attract new participants into the construction sector.
1 2007-2008 Victorian State Budget
2 2007-2008 New South Wales State Budget
3 2007-2008 Western Australia State Budget
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