Transport infrastructure planning has lost its way

This paper focusses on the infrastructure components of Queensland’s State Infrastructure Plan, and the Commonwealth’s Australian Infrastructure Plan. It argues that the reforms outlined in these documents seem likely to have the effect of breaking down that model, giving the private sector privileged access to government planning (through corporate boards); priority access to public funds (through accumulating pre-budget momentum for high-profile projects); and direct access to motorists’ pockets (through user charging). The overriding purpose of the paper is to examine the implications of these agendas for economic development and also for the liveability of our cities. It has a Queensland focus but the principles are relevant across Australia. The paper raises a number of significant questions about public administration, infrastructure planning and the fiscal policies of governments and, in particular, the demonstrably poor economic value added by many projects in contrast to the economic value created by alternative forms of infrastructure such as scientific research, information management, and land repair. The evidence suggests that construction companies, road operators and funding brokers have convinced the authorities that an agenda furthering their corporate interests equates to an agenda in the public interest.

• Record URL:
  http://www.tjryanfoundation.org.au/cms/page.asp?ID=1897
• Corporate Authors:

  TJRyan Foundation

  SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101, Australia
  Brisbane, Queensland   
• Authors:
  • Edwards, G
• Publication Date: 2016

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 34p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 44

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic analysis; Economic development; Evaluation; Infrastructure; Planning; Policy; Private enterprise; Privatization; Quality of life; Transportation planning
• Uncontrolled Terms: Policy and planning
• Geographic Terms: Australia; Queensland
• ATRI Terms: Economic analysis; Economic development; Evaluation; Infrastructure; Private sector; Quality of life; Transport planning
• ITRD Terms: 263: Economics of transport; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 1055: Transport infrastructure
• Subject Areas: Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01602490
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 21 2016 10:21AM