HDD, Rehabilitation, Tunnelling, Utility location

Spending big on infrastructure

The funding is for local governments to stimulate growth and economic activity across Australia and support national productivity and community wellbeing.

The $A800 million component of the Nation Building package has allocated $A550 million for strategic projects and $A250 million directly to councils and shires. The program has been extremely popular, with 344 submissions totalling $A1.2 billion already received as local governments look to build infrastructure and boost local economies.

In addition, guidelines for the Australian Federal Government’s National Urban Water and Desalination Plan have been announced. Under the Plan, the Government will provide $A1 billion over the next six years to help secure water supplies. The plan targets cities and towns of 50,000 people or more and will support projects that use desalination, recycling and stormwater harvesting to improve supply security.

Funding already committed under the Plan includes $A20 million over five years to support a centre of excellence in desalination to be established in Perth, Western Australia. A minimum of $A200 million for stormwater projects and $A30.2 million for the Glenelg to Adelaide Parklands water recycling project in South Australia – see page 62 for more details on the trenchless aspect of this project.

The remaining funds will be allocated through a competitive process. Funding assistance of up to 10 per cent of the eligible capital costs capped at $A100 million per project will be available to the successful proponents. The guidelines are available here.

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