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SPECIAL FeatureS New Advocacy Group formed Transport Reform Network to drive reform Infrastructure NSW Blueprint Roads take priority seat

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FEATURE

New advocacy group driving transport reform The push to find new financing and funding solutions to address Australia’s transport infrastructure backlog and help resolve the urban congestion crisis has been given a boost with the formation and launch of a new national transport reform advocacy group. The Transport Reform Network (TRN) has brought together more than 40 organisations from across Australia to urge governments, industry and the community to work together to review and reform the way land transport networks and services are planned, managed, financed and funded. More than 300 community, government and industry leaders came together for the national launch of the TRN at the Sydney Town Hall at the end of August, with a second launch held in Melbourne in December. Speakers at the national launch in Sydney included: • Sydney University transport academic, Prof David Hensher; • NRMA Motoring and Services President, Wendy Machin; • National Farmers’ Federation President, Jock Laurie; • The then Australian Local Government Association President, Genia McCaffery; • Australasian Railway Association CEO, Bryan Nye;

• Roads Australia President, David StuartWatt; • Infrastructure Partnerships Australia CEO, Brendan Lyon; and • Former Federal Minister for Transport & Regional Development, John Sharp. The TRN has also launched a paper, to put the case for reform, and a website www. transportreform.org to encourage the debate. “Everyone is tired of congested roads, crowded trains and buses, and infrastructure that just doesn’t work, but as individuals we largely feel disempowered to do anything about it,” said TRN Chairman, Dennis Cliche, at the national launch. “The reality is there is no easy solution. Our governments are faced with significant funding challenges and difficult choices. “But we can’t bury our heads in the sand. We need to get informed, ask questions and consider all the options.” Mr Cliche said there was a real urgency for a sensible debate in the community, and that he hoped the TRN would provide a focal point for that debate. “We’re at crisis point. Despite the best intentions of our governments and their transport agencies, our current solutions simply aren’t delivering the system-wide outcomes we want or expect,” he said. TRN Chairman Dennis Cliche

“Unless things change, we’re looking at worsening congestion, lower productivity and standards of living, and poorer environmental outcomes. “The TRN wants to provide a platform for the community to better understand the issues and debate the possible solutions. “We will do this by impartially providing information on our website, hosting events and promoting innovative ideas and opinions. “The TRN also provides a framework for governments to engage with key stakeholders in the review and reform of transport funding and financing. “Our aim is to see transport reform become a live issue on the national agenda, actively considered by all levels of government, by the middle of this decade.” More information on the TRN can be found at www.transportreform.org The launch of the Transport Reform Network at Sydney Town Hall

ROADS DEC 2012/JAN 2013

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major projects

Tough times for Airport Link operator Just a few months after the opening of Australia’s biggest infrastructure program – Brisbane’s $4.8 billion Airport Link Tunnel – the project’s operator seems certain to end up in the hands of the banks. In an announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange, the BrisConnections consortium said it had entered into formal negotiations with its lenders over potential reconstruction options. “Following analysis and in light of traffic levels post the introduction of tolls for all vehicles, the Board has determined to enter into formal negotiations with its lenders and other key stakeholders regarding potential reconstruction options, taking into account that on present traffic levels, the enterprise value may be less than the outstanding debt,” the statement said. “Brisconnections notes that there is significant uncertainty regarding the process and outcome of such formal negotiations. As a result, Brisconnections is formally seeking a suspension of its securities from the ASX.” The announcement followed an earlier statement by Brisconnections that PPB Advisory had been appointed by its lenders as an independent consultant to undertake a business review of the project’s operations. The consortium said the review would focus on current and anticipated traffic volumes, revenue, costs forecast liquidity and its capital structure. The statement said it was possible that actions may arise as a result of the review which may have “adverse implications on the future value of equity”. Brisconnections’ statement to the ASX about its negotiations with lenders triggered an announcement from the builder of Airport Link, Leighton, that it had reviewed the carrying value of its deferred equity commitment to the operator. “Our review has determined that Leighton Holdings will impair the remaining $63 million book value of its deferred equity commitment to BCS. “The pre-tax impairment of $63 million will be offset against the pre-tax capital gain of $115 million earned on the recent sale of Thiess Waste Management,” Leighton said. The company stressed the impairment would not have an impact on Leighton Holdings’ previously advised underlying net profit after tax guidance of $400 to $500 million for the financial year ended 31 December 2012. The near-collapse of Brisconnections follows traffic levels of less than half of the estimated 135,000 vehicles a day using the infrastructure.

Traffic on Airport Link fell from 74,500 trips a day in September 2012 to 66,200 daily tips in October. Brisconnections is one of several toll road operators to run into financial trouble because of low traffic volumes. River City Motorways which operated the Clem 7 tunnel in Brisbane; Connector Motorways which operated Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel; and Cross City Motorways which operated a tunnel of the same name have collapsed.

Tasmania wants $900 million for improving infrastructure The Tasmanian Government is looking to build on record infrastructure investment with its latest submission to the Federal Government’s Nation Building 2 Program (NB2). It is seeking almost $900 million for 22 strategic infrastructure projects. Infrastructure Minister David O’Byrne said the projects supported Tasmanian industry and jobs by improving transport safety and efficiency. “This submission is all about growing our economy, creating jobs and opportunities, and making our roads safer and more efficient,” said Mr O’Byrne. “We’re talking generationally significant projects that will help shape Tasmania over the next decade and beyond.” 4

ROADS DEC 2012/JAN 2013

Mr O’Byrne said it was government’s role to invest strategically in the major works and projects that made the state’s industries more efficient, and helped them employ more Tasmanians. “That’s why we’ve prioritised freight efficiency and road safety in our comprehensive submission. Our Economic Development Plan is about diversifying Tasmania’s economy and playing to our natural strengths. This submission is about developing the generationally significant infrastructure to help achieve that,” he said. The Tasmanian Government has already secured more than $800 million in Federal road and rail funding between 2008 and 2014. “That record investment is flowing from our strong and strategic relationship with the Federal Government, and this submission is the next important step,” Mr O’Byrne advised.

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Annabell tunnelling ahead of schedule The first of the two tunnel boring machines chewing through rock as part of Brisbane’s Legacy Way project reached the one kilometre mark of the 4.6 kilometre tunnel at the beginning of November. Legacy Way is Brisbane City Council’s road tunnel that will connect the Western Freeway at Toowong with the Inner City Bypass (ICB) at Kelvin Grove. Once open in 2015, Legacy Way will almost halve peak hour travel times between the Centenary Bridge and the bypass. Annabell has exceeded expectations to date by excavating more than 20 per cent of the 520,000 m3 of rock. “This time six months ago, the 110 metre long, 2800 tonne machine was being transported to the western worksite in pieces, where it was reassembled and commissioned,” said Brisbane Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk.

“Annabell is now making quicker than expected progress at about 25 metres a day. “She was expected to excavate between 10-20 metres per day and has already exceeded this distance on a number of occasions, with the team working around the clock, seven days a week, since tunnelling began in mid-August.” Cr Quirk said Brisbane was already seeing the economic benefits of Legacy Way with more than two million hours worked across the project since construction started in April 2011 and more than 4,200 different workers inducted to the site. “Legacy Way will have significant benefits, not only for motorists and our transport network, but also for the local economy,” Cr Quirk said. “More than 4200 staff and workers, sub-contractors and specialists in a range of fields have been inducted on Legacy Way.

“We have international tunnelling experts on the project partnering with local construction companies, which will enhance the knowledge and skill base in our local economy and allow international companies to establish their organisations locally to attract investment and job creation.” To date more than 120,000 m3 of rock and dirt has been excavated by Annabell, while a total of 4500 precast concrete segments, each weighing 7.5 tonnes, have been installed. Cr Quirk said the project’s second TBM, Joyce, was also making significant inroads, and it was hoped she would follow Annabell’s lead in progressing faster than expected. Cr Quirk acknowledged the Federal Government’s support for the project through $500 million in funding under the Nation Building Program. Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, said after several years of detailed planning, extensive community consultations and preconstruction activities, it was great to see such an important project well underway. “We recognise that the task of modernising and expanding the city’s road, rail and public transport infrastructure is too big for any one level of government,” he said. “That’s why we have partnered with Brisbane City Council on the Legacy Way project, and we are determined to get the job done.”

Review delivers Centenary Highway boost Another stage in the multi-million dollar project designed to improve safety and ease congestion along the Pacific Motorway – the Robina Interchange Upgrade – has been completed on time and under budget. The upgrade replaced the roundabouts previously located at both ends of the south east Queensland overpass bridge with synchronised traffic lights and also lengthened and widened the interchange’s on/off ramps. Used by about 90,000 vehicles a day, the intersection is one of the state’s busiest intersections. The upgrade will improve 6

ROADS DEC 2012/JAN 2013

traffic flows along the motorway, with motorists and truck drivers to benefit from faster, less frustrating driving conditions. The Pacific Motorway Upgrade will cost $910 million and is split 50-50 by the Federal and Queensland Governments. It consists of eight separate projects, five of which are now completed. Queensland’s Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Scott Emerson, said south east corner remained the nation’s fastest growing region, a reality which underscored the need for continued investment in modern, wellplanned infrastructure.

“The changes we’ve made to the Robina Interchange are reducing queuing and improving access to the M1, complementing the work that’s already been completed on the motorway’s other major interchanges at Varsity Lakes, Mudgeeraba, Nerang and Coomera. “In its entirety, the upgrade of the Pacific Motorway is all about eliminating chokepoints, easing congestion, improving safety, and ultimately, keeping people and freight moving,” Mr Emerson said. Work continues on widening the Motorway to six lanes between Springwood South and Daisy Hill, and between Nerang and Worongary.

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Traffic using Brighton Bypass Tasmania’s largest road infrastructure project – the $191 million Brighton Bypass – was opened to traffic on 12 November, months ahead of schedule. The bypass upgrades the Midland Highway to the north of Hobart, and was funded by the Federal Government. It provides a new dual carriageway highway between the East Derwent Highway at Bridgewater and the Midland Highway north of Pontville. It removes traffic from the towns of Brighton and Pontville, and provides significantly improved connections to the developing Brighton Industrial Estate and Brighton Transport Hub, and the historic settlement of Pontville. Tasmanian firms VEC Civil Engineering and Hazell Bros undertook contract work on the bypass with contracting national partners, Thiess and John Holland respectively.

More than 1800 workers contributed to the bypass during the period of peak construction. Tasmanian Premier, Lara Giddings, said the bypass was one of a number of projects on the State Government’s strong infrastructure agenda. The projects also included the $104 million Midlands Water Scheme; the $586 million redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital; the $50 million rehabilitation of the Hobart railyards and the $90 million Community Roads Program. “This project demonstrates our commitment to infrastructure that will secure jobs and opportunities for Tasmanians. Even in these tough budget times we have ensured that our infrastructure spending exceeds pre-GFC levels to keep people employed in the construction industry,” Ms Giddings said.

Review delivers Centenary Highway boost Capacity and safety on Queensland’s Centenary Highway will be boosted following a review of the $475 million Richlands to Springfield project. Two new northbound lanes will be added to the project between Springfield Parkway to just south of Johnson Rd, Greenbank, in addition to the Richlands to Springfield train line. “More than 5,000 motorists travel along the Centenary Highway in the morning and afternoon peaks, and these commuters know how desperately the upgrade is needed to ease the mounting traffic congestion,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said. “The re-scope of this project will deliver safety benefits and aid the growth of southeast Queensland.” The upgrade works will be completed in 2014 and include: • the existing single carriage becoming two

southbound highway lanes from the Logan Motorway Interchange to Springfield Parkway; • a new on-ramp to be built from Logan Motorway westbound to the Centenary Highway southbound; • two new northbound lanes to be built from Springfield Parkway towards Johnson Road; • lengthening the Springfield Parkway on-ramp to the Centenary Highway; • building three new road bridges over the Logan Motorway Interchange, Johnson Road and Sandy Creek; and • a new central median strip to separate southbound and northbound lanes. As well as upgrading the Centenary Highway, the project includes a new 9.5 kilometre dual track passenger rail line between Richlands and Springfield with two new stations at Springfield and Springfield Central.

Gateway Motorway South project underway Construction has started on Queensland’s $140 million Gateway Motorway South project. The first sod was turned in mid-November on the new on-ramp to the Pacific Motorway. At the moment, the Gateway Motorway southbound merge with the Pacific Motorway is a dangerous bottleneck with a high crash rate. It is one of Brisbane’s busiest on-ramps, carrying an average of 30,000 vehicles every day, with crash costs between January 2004 and December 2008 estimated at $3.5 million. The Gateway Motorway South project is expected to increase road safety and reduce crash rates by giving motorists more time to merge, improving the road alignment and bringing it into line with current motorway design standards. It is also designed to reduce congestion and improve the efficiency of traffic movement for road users, especially those merging onto the Pacific Motorway. Queensland Member for Springwood, John Grant, said the project was critical for south east Queensland, the fastest growing region in the state. “We need to work quickly to give the Brisbane-Gold Coast transport corridor the capacity it needs to keep projected traffic volumes flowing,” Mr Grant said. “The full Gateway Motorway South project will provide funding to complete the business case, some land acquisition and construction works to widen Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road to six lanes between Broadwater Road and Gardiner Road, across the motorway.” The Federal Government is committing $70 million through the Nation Building Program, and the Queensland Government is matching funding.

Realigning the Great Northern Highway Stage two of shifting the Great Northern Highway to the north of its existing alignment is underway. The second stage in the $274 million Port Hedland Improvement Program is on track to be completed in mid-2014. The project involves building an eight kilometre section of highway around the Wedgefield industrial precinct. A new interchange at the intersection between the “old” Great Northern Highway and 8

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Port Hedland Road will also be built as part of the development. Already, 15,000 cars, trucks and road trains use the existing stretch of highway through Port Hedland each day, a figure that has increased 25 per cent in just the last three years. Shifting the highway will ease congestion, improve safety and make sure the local road network can cope with future growth, particularly the almost 400 additional road

trains associated with the Utah Point Berth development and new mines at Abydos, Mt Dove and Phil’s Creek. The Port Hedland Improvement Program is being funded by both the Federal ($197.2 million) and Western Australian ($77.2 million) governments. Stage One, worth $6.7 million, involved widening the Highway to four lanes between Wallwork Road and the Broome turnoff.

Preferred partner selected for ‘Gateway WA’ The Gateway WA Consortium comprising Leighton Contractors, Georgiou, GHD, AECOM and BG&E is the preferred alliance partner to deliver the billion dollar Gateway WA project. The project is being jointly funded, with the Federal Government contributing up to $686.4 million. The entire upgrade is expected to be completed by 2017, ahead of the planned consolidation of Perth’s domestic and international air terminals. Officials from Main Roads WA were involved in detailed negotiations with the consortium to finalise contractual arrangements before the end of 2012. Construction work on the major infrastructure undertaking is expected to kick-off early in 2013. Western Australia’s Transport Minister, Troy Buswell, said the scope of the project was outlined in the Gateway WA Project Master Plan, which was developed in close consultation with industry and the local community. “The Master Plan identified a series of much-needed improvements around the

airport as well as the nearby Kewdale and Forrestfield industrial estates, including extra lanes on the Tonkin Highway, new interchanges and the upgrade of Leach Highway to an expressway,” said Mr Buswell. “This precinct is one of the state’s most important transport hubs, facilitating the movement of people and freight essential to our ongoing industrial development. But unfortunately, this junction point between road, rail and air services is not fit for purpose. “By fixing the road network around the airport, the Gateway project will not only reduce urban congestion in Perth, but also improve the efficiency and reliability of the supply chain on which regional communities depend, particularly those in the resource rich North West,” Minister Buswell said. “In short, this project is an investment in Western Australia’s future.” The project includes: • A freeway-to-freeway interchange at the Tonkin and Leach Highways intersection,

with free flowing movements in all directions, and includes a major new access to the international terminal; • An interchange at the Tonkin Highway, Horrie Miller Drive and Kewdale Road intersection, removing one of Perth’s worst black spots; • An interchange at the Leach Highway and Abernethy Road intersection; • Upgrade of the existing interchange at the junction of the Tonkin and Roe Highways to a partial freeway-to-freeway interchange; • Widening of the Tonkin Highway to six lanes between the Great Eastern and Roe Highways; and • Upgrade of the Leach Highway to “expressway standard” between the Tonkin Highway and Orrong Road, maximising the benefits of the Leach Highway and Abernethy Road interchange. Given the project’s size, scale and complexity, construction is likely to be staged to minimise disruption to road users, residents and industry.

ROADS Dec 2012/Jan 2013

major projects

IA challenges governments over asset sales Progress on Nambucca Heads capacity to provide funding for new economic Infrastructure Australia has identified that Upgrade infrastructure. more than $100 billion of commercial infrastructure assets are on Australian government balance sheets, and the advisory body has called on governments to examine the sale of commercially viable, publicly owned assets to the private sector. The IA said Australia faced a significant infrastructure deficit and associated funding task. Its approach to selling the assets is outlined in the report: Australia’s Public Infrastructure – Part of the Answer to Removing Infrastructure Deficit. Infrastructure Australia said the assets included roads, airports, water services, ports, freight rail, and electricity generation, transmission and distribution. It said the costs to governments of operating and maintaining the infrastructure often far outweighed the benefits to the community of retaining the assets in government ownership. “Governments around Australia need to explore new methods of financing and developing the infrastructure needed to improve national productivity,” said National Infrastructure Coordinator, Michael Deegan. “If we are to build on and sustain the living standards of all Australians, governments need to recognise that they cannot bridge the current funding gap,” Mr Deegan said. According to the report, many assets in the energy, ports, regional airports and freight rail sectors could be sold relatively quickly and under current policy settings. The report identified these sectors as having the most

Infrastructure Australia said the superannuation industry was also well placed to purchase these assets – providing a real opportunity to achieve all the potential benefits of a sale while maintaining ownership of the assets across a broad cross-section of the community. The report identified a number of successful asset sales that have generated real community value, such as the recent refinancing of the Sydney Desalination Plant which raised $2.3 billion, $300 million more than the cost of constructing the plant. After repaying the debt incurred in building the plant, the net proceeds from the refinancing had been provided to Restart NSW allowing government to fund the building of critical new infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools. “Infrastructure Australia recognises that some members of the community have genuine concerns about the private sector owning or controlling infrastructure that has long been in public hands. “There is strong evidence that those concerns can be addressed through appropriate regulatory structures that maintain service levels, provide pricing protection to consumers and environmental standards. “In addition, social objectives can be effectively and transparently provided for through community service obligations,” said Mr Deegan.

A preferred builder was to be selected by the end of 2012 for the upgrade of the Pacific Highway from Nambucca Heads to Urunga in New South Wales. Relocation of gas, electricity and telecommunication utilities was expected to be completed by late November and construction of the upgrade is due to begin in mid-2013. Funding for the detailed planning work and other pre-construction activities along the 22 kilometre section is being provided by the Federal ($74.1 million) and NSW ($44.9 million) governments The Nambucca Heads to Urunga project is part of the ongoing upgrade and full duplication of the Pacific Highway, the most expensive and complex road project undertaken in Australia. Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has received feedback from the local community about proposed refinements to the location and design of the Nambucca Heads interchange, as well as the new rest area which will be built as part of the upgrade. An environmental assessment is now being compiled before a final decision is made on whether to accept the proposed design changes. RMS has also notified local residents who have been identified as potentially needing noise mitigation measures and is working to determine the best solutions for their respective properties.

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Roads a priority in Infrastructure NSW blueprint The M4 and M5 corridors are identified as having “the most pressing need for augmentation” in a 20-year infrastructure strategy prepared by Infrastructure NSW. The blueprint gives priority to the M4 and M5 because of their importance in supporting freight and business travel, high levels of existing demand and forecast population, and economic growth along and around the corridors.

The strategy – released by Infrastructure NSW Chair, Nick Greiner – said congestion on roads such as the M4, M5 and the Eastern Distributor was no longer a phenomenon confined to peak periods, but was sustained for much of each day. “Sustained congestion reduces the efficiency of commuter journeys, freight movements and business travel, hindering economic growth and affecting people’s quality of life.” The blueprint contended the congestion emphasised the need for greater capacity augmentation. It also said traffic congestion in Sydney was forecast to cost the NSW economy $8 billion per annum by 2010. Infrastructure NSW said in the strategy that the road network was the dominant transport network and would remain so over the next 20 years. Ninety-three per cent of passenger travel in Sydney was by road – 12 million trips on an average weekday – and the majority of freight journeys in and through Sydney were by road. Rail accounted for 14 per cent of container freight to and from Port Botany. The blueprint focused on what it called the Sydney Strategic Road Network of SSRN which comprised the Sydney Orbital Network, the M4 Motorway and Parramatta corridor, and the so-called missing links to connect the Sydney Orbital to the F3 and F6. It described the SSRN as the most important transport network in New South Wales. “The SSRN carries the bulk of the state’s container freight and acts as a feeder and distributor for other modes – for example, rail, sea and air transport. “It supports economic growth across the metropolitan area by connecting people to jobs and allowing businesses to trade with each other.” Infrastructure NSW said congestion was a major issue on many parts of the network with some sections operating well in excess of design capacity. > continues page 14

“Sustained congestion reduces the efficiency of commuter journeys, freight movements and business travel, hindering economic growth and affecting people’s quality of life.” 12

ROADS DEC 2012/JAN 2013

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Kim ‘Hunchy’ Hazel, HHH Earthmoving. Like many owners, Kim “Hunchy” Hazel’s fascination with Cat® motor graders started as a kid. It has since developed into a way of life and business for the roaming grader operator. Watching Cat motor graders operate on the local roads around Robinvale, Victoria as a 13 year old, Hunchy’s childhood interest was soon pricked. Getting a ride in the cab with the council operators cemented his career path. Since that first ride, Hunchy has gone on to spend his life working in and around Cat equipment, owning and operating a range of Cat graders including two current models. Hunchy’s is a story that could be told time over in Australia as the Cat grader has established itself not only as the industry leader but something of an icon. The Cat motor grader’s status was recently reaffirmed when the game changing M Series notched up 1000 sales since its introduction in 2008. “The progression in each model has been amazing. Some of the early machines only had hydraulic side shift on the blade and if you had it under full load, it wouldn’t even move.” Regardless, the positives of the Cat machines always shone through. “Great bottom end torque has been a hallmark of all Cat machines” Hunchy reckons. “They’re renowned for the low-down grunt. “With final trim it’s all about throttle control allowing the machine to be able to do what it is

NSW/ACT - WesTrac: 1300 881 064 WA - WesTrac: 1300 881 064 VIC - William Adams: (03) 9566 0666

Above: Kim “Hunchy” Hazel at the recent M Series celebration in Melbourne. capable of doing, and with the Cat you can back off the throttle with a full blade and let the control system catch up and then away you go again.” Machine control has become a speciality of HHH Earthmoving and after trying many other systems, Hunchy favours Cat AccuGrade™ to get the job done. “I’ve specialised in machine control – which is electric over hydraulic control – and it is now incredibly advanced. “Using the Cat AccuGrade system on the Peninsula Link freeway, the surveyors simply upload a USB and away you go. There’s often a lot of design changes on the job and AccuGrade offers complete flexibility. “A benefit of AccuGrade is its operational simplicity. At the end of the day anyone can get in the grader and go. You can also go back to work you’ve done days earlier and match it. “We’re running a UTS with the AccuGrade at the moment and are getting three and four millimetre cuts which is incredible. The leap in technology to a joystick controlled M Series from the H Series models also presented some fears, but Hunchy said he not only came to terms with operating the revolutionary system, but erased any fears it held for him within hours.

The joystick system on the M Series represented a revolutionary change in motor grader control, helping to simplify machine operation and reduce hand and wrist movement significantly. “When I first saw the joysticks on the M Series graders it did worry me a bit, but after about three hours operating a machine I thought it was good and after about a week behind the controls I thought it was great,” he said “That’s the thing with Cat equipment, the new machines keep coming and feature improvements that are nearly always astronomical,” Hunchy said. “I can see that the Cat machines that are yet to come will continue to feature more and more technology. Caterpillar has always been so product driven and use a lot of the machine data that is generated, together with customer feedback, to design their new machines.”

M SERIES. 1000 AT WORK. To find out more about Cat M Series Motor Graders contact your local Cat dealer or visit australia.cat.com/mseries

TAS - William Adams: (03) 6326 6366 QLD/NT - Hastings Deering: 131 228 SA - Cavpower: (08) 8343 1600

Note: Caterpillar makes no warranties, guarantees or representations as to the accuracy or timeliness of any information, beliefs or opinions (which do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of Caterpillar) set out above and Caterpillar assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in same or actions in consequence upon same. © 2012 Caterpillar. CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

FEATURE

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The blueprint said Sydney residents did not work in what it called defined metropolitan centres – about 60 per cent of employment was dispersed across the metropolitan area and that meant public transport could not viably serve the jobs involved. According to the strategy, as Sydney’s population continues to grow, people will continue to expect mobility for work, business and recreation. Efficient delivery of consumer goods will remain important to NSW’s economy. This will only occur if a clear and realistic direction for Sydney’s SSRN is articulated and pursued. Infrastructure NSW proposed a project codenamed WestConnex to support the NSW Government in progressing the next major motorway development in Sydney. The advisory body said it had worked with Transport for NSW and Maritime Services to develop the scheme which integrates the proposed M4 Extension, M5 East Expansion and part of the Inner West Bypass. “This project has been named WestConnex, reflecting the connectivity it would provide between Greater Sydney and Global Sydney’s primary economic centres and international gateways.” The blueprint said the case for investment in the Sydney Strategy Road Network – Sydney’s transport backbone – was strong. “Other transport modes cannot accommodate all of the forecast growth in demand,” it said. “Options to better manage existing road space – while supported – are not sufficient.” The blueprint emphasised that without intervention, journey times and congestion would worsen impacting on the economy’s productivity and the people’s quality of life.

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“Greater private sector involvement at the design phase, a new approach to procurement and delivery, combined with a revised tolling approach and limited government financial support will be needed to make this program viable.”

Infrastructure NSW said WestConnex could help support passenger and freight movements across the city and support major redevelopment. It said with sufficient political will, the project could be delivered in 10 years at a targeted cost of $10 billion – government funding of $2.5 billion would be required. “Greater private sector involvement at the design phase, a new approach to procurement and delivery, combined with a revised tolling approach and limited government financial support will be needed to make this program viable.” The blueprint said from an economic perspective investments such as the F3-M2 and F6 extension were classified as being desirable, but were of lower importance than WestConnex. On the question of funding and delivery, Infrastructure NSW proposed that its priority projects should be delivered on six funding strategies: tolls on new and upgraded motorway links; Restart NSW funding using net proceeds of assets sales and other windfall gains; reduction of public transport subsidies, consistent with regulatory determinations; limited reprioritisation of current capital plans; Commonwealth contributions for projects that align with Infrastructure Australia’s key themes; and value capture from beneficiaries of new infrastructure, where feasible. The advisory body’s Chairman, Nick Greiner, said there was a fundamental link between sound infrastructure investment and a healthy, productive NSW economy that made for a successful society. Mr Greiner said infrastructure networks enabled people to gain access to jobs and prosperity, enabled services to be provided and goods to be delivered to markets locally and globally. The former NSW Premier said while there had been what he described as “some unforgiveable wasted opportunities”, NSW had good building blocks within its infrastructure networks that positioned the state well against its global competitors if the stakeholders involved took a fresh look at what they needed to succeed.