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SMEs to benefit from $17.9bn infrastructure spend

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says small businesses stand to benefit from a major infrastructure investment announced as part of the federal budget.

29 March 2022

This week, the government announced a $17.9 billion commitment towards new and existing infrastructure projects across Australia.

Mr Frydenberg said infrastructure was a key pillar of the government’s economic plan to grow the economy and get more Australians into work.

"With the unemployment rate already at an equal 48-year low, the measures in this budget will create an additional 40,000 jobs across Australia, building on our world-leading economic recovery,” the Treasurer said.

“By enhancing transport connectivity, we’re strengthening our supply chains against challenges such as COVID‑related disruptions and the impact of natural disasters. This gives businesses and consumers the confidence and certainty they need in uncertain times.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investment, which increases the rolling infrastructure budget from $110 billion to $120 billion, would help get Australians home sooner and safer and generate thousands of jobs and new opportunities for small businesses right across the country.

“Australia’s future success relies on a strong economy. Our strong economic recovery is being driven by our record funding for major road projects right across the country.

“Our investment in these infrastructure projects will support tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs across Australia over the construction life of these projects, providing certainty and security for businesses and communities across the country,” he said.

Key new commitments funded in the 2022–23 budget include:

$3.1 billion in new commitments to deliver the $3.6 billion Melbourne Intermodal Terminal Package (VIC), including:
$1.2 billion for the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal in Beveridge, taking the total investment to $1.62 billion
$280 million for Road Connections, including Camerons Lane Interchange, to the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal
$740 million for the Western Interstate Freight Terminal in Truganina, and
$920 million for the Outer Metropolitan Ring - South Rail connection to the Western Interstate Freight Terminal
$1.6 billion for the Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast (Beerwah‑Maroochydore) rail extension (QLD)
$1.121 billion for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast (Kuraby – Beenleigh) faster rail upgrade (QLD)
$1 billion for the Sydney to Newcastle – (Tuggerah to Wyong) faster rail upgrade (NSW)
$678 million for Outback Way (NT, WA, QLD)
$336 million for the Pacific Highway – Wyong Town Centre (NSW)
$336 million for the Tasmanian Roads Package – Northern Roads Package – Stage 2 (TAS)
$200 million for the Marion Road – Anzac Highway to Cross Road (SA)
$145 million for the Thomas Road – Dual Carriageway – South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway and interchange at Tonkin Highway (WA)
$140 million for Regional Road Safety upgrades (WA)
$132 million for Central Australian Tourism Roads (NT)
$120 million for the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package (SA)
$46.7 million towards the Athllon Drive Duplication (ACT)

The budget also includes additional funding for existing projects and Roads of Strategic Importance corridors, including:

$2.264 billion for the North-South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington (SA)
$352 million for the Milton Ulladulla Bypass (NSW)
$320 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (Stages 2 and 3) (WA)
$200 million for the Tonkin Highway Stage 3 Extension (WA)
$45 million for the Ballarat to Ouyen – Future Priorities (VIC)
$68.5 million for the Cooktown to Weipa Corridor Upgrade bringing the total Australian government funding to the corridor to $258.5 million (QLD).

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