More than $10 million in major infrastructure projects will be at the centre of the federal budget, which will be handed down on Tuesday.

The 10-year plan will bring spending across across all states and territories, with a $2 billion freight hub in Melbourne and a $2 billion to upgrade the Great Western Highway in New South Wales forming spearheading the government’s commitment to infrastructure.

Funding commitments on the Ballarat to Ouyen, Echuca to Robinvale, Green Triangle, Melbourne to Mildura, Stawell to South Australian border and Toowoomba to Seymour corridors also exist under key Roads of Strategic Importance initiatives

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said by spending big on road, rail and freight infrastructure, the government hopes to create jobs to boost the COVID-affected national economy – unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 per cent in March.

“Whether it’s the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport or the transformative Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail, we are investing to build Australia’s future,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Our more than $2 billion investment in upgrading Great Western Highway will bring enormous benefits, both in road safety and in the ongoing jobs that construction will support.

“The new Intermodal Terminal in Melbourne will create around 1,350 jobs during peak construction and a further 550 jobs during peak operation – that’s delivery in action.

“The Government is driving the delivery of major infrastructure projects to map the economic road back from the pandemic, building the economy and providing certainty for businesses over the long term.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the funding would create jobs now and “set Australia up for the future.”

“A new intermodal terminal in Melbourne will help to boost the productivity of the nation by helping businesses get their products to domestic and international markets faster following the completion of inland rail,” he said.

A man working in a tunnel

The federal government’s efforts will boost jobs and productivity in the COVID-affected national economy.

Major infrastructure projects:

  • $2 billion initial investment for a new Melbourne Intermodal Terminal
  • $161.6 million for the Truro Bypass in South Australia
  • $80 million for Bass Highway safety and freight efficiency upgrades in Tasmania
  • $400 million for Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers) upgrades in Queensland
  • $160 million for Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements – ‘Package 1’ in Western Australia
  • $150 million for National Network Highway upgrades (Phase 2) in the Northern Territory
  •  $66 million for Newcastle Airport’s runway upgrade
  • $26.5 million for William Hovell Drive duplication in the ACT
  •  $126.6 million for the Gold Coast light rail stage 3