The Andrews Labor Government last week, introduced legislation into the Parliament to create Infrastructure Victoria, delivering on a key election commitment and providing certainty for our infrastructure pipeline.
A landmark reform, Infrastructure Victoria will take short term politics out of infrastructure planning, and keep our pipeline of major projects full to grow our economy and create jobs.
The new independent body will be tasked with ensuring Victoria’s immediate and long-term infrastructure needs are identified and prioritised based on objective, transparent analysis and evidence.
Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, understands that Governments are permanent, but transperancy and efficency was key.
“Governments come and go, but our long-term infrastructure priorities always remain.”
“We won’t waste a day getting on with supporting Victorian jobs, and we won’t ask Victorians to support dud, last minute plans for projects that don’t stack up.”
Infrastructure Victoria will consult widely, consider the needs of the whole state and prioritise the projects that deliver the best results.
Once established, Infrastructure Victoria will be required to publicly release a 30-year Infrastructure Strategy detailing short, medium and long-term infrastructure needs and priorities.
In response, the Government will be required to develop a five-year Infrastructure Plan outlining priority projects and funding commitments. Infrastructure Victoria will assess the Government’s progress against this plan.
Special Minister of State, Gavin Jennings, admitted that infrastructure and decision making will make our lifestyle even more enjoyable, both today, and tomorrow.
“We’re putting evidence and transparency at the front and centre of Victoria’s infrastructure decisions.”
“Infrastructure Victoria will give the community and businesses certainty that those decisions are based on priorities – not politics.”
The expert body will also support government decisions by assessing business cases for major projects, and publishing research on a range of infrastructure issues from schools, hospitals, water, arts and cultural facilities.
Infrastructure Victoria will give the community and the private sector greater certainty about our infrastructure needs, and the Labor Government’s strong plan to meet them.