Engineers Australia has welcomed an updated national infrastructure roadmap released by Infrastructure Australia, highlighting the importance of engineering expertise in improving infrastructure productivity.
The updated Infrastructure Priority List identifies five national focus areas aimed at addressing major challenges in transport, water security and energy systems.
The priorities include developing high-productivity freight networks, improving ports capacity and connectivity, expanding high-capacity transport in growing cities, ensuring secure and sustainable water supplies for growth, and supporting the transition to net zero and a clean energy economy.
The list outlines proposals intended to guide infrastructure investment and direct funding towards projects expected to deliver the greatest national benefit. It brings together submissions from the Australian Government and state and territory governments that are considered ready for either planning or delivery.
Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO said in a media release that improving infrastructure would be essential to achieving better economic outcomes.
“Infrastructure productivity is now a national economic issue, not just a delivery issue. It is central to strengthening our economy and quality of life,” she said.
Madew said challenges such as poor prioritisation, fragmented project pipelines, weak early planning and inconsistent procurement practices continue to contribute to cost overruns and delays.
She added, “To help counter this, engineering expertise must be embedded earlier and more consistently in how infrastructure priorities are set, assessed and sequenced.”
Engineers Australia also continues to advocate for stronger engineering capability within government. Among its proposals is the creation of a National Chief Engineer role to provide technical oversight and improve consistency across infrastructure portfolios.
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