Investing in infrastructure for the future

Nation Building

The Government is investing $36.2 billion in roads, rail and ports over six years from 2008‑09.

The Nation Building program of construction and maintenance for Australia's land transport network targets those projects that deliver the highest benefits to the nation. Nation Building also includes the Roads to Recovery and Black Spots programs.

Improving commuter rail

The Government is bringing forward $133 million of the Commonwealth's contribution to the $1.2 billion Moreton Bay Rail Link.

The Link will improve public transport to the Moreton Bay region reducing reliance on the road network. Moreton Bay is the third largest local government area in Australia.

Bruce Highway

The Government is continuing to invest in multiple upgrade works along the length of the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns. This includes proceeding with five projects which were previously deferred to assist with flood reconstruction efforts.

National Broadband Network

In Tasmania, the NBN has already been rolled out past 4,000 premises, with another 11,150 premises expected to be covered by the second half of 2012.

Early release sites in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia are near completion, with construction expected to begin on further sites across mainland Australia this year.

Investing an additional $1 billion in the Pacific Highway

The Budget provides $1.0 billion over the four years to 2014‑15 for planning, route assessment, design and other work for the duplication of the Pacific Highway in New South Wales. This builds on the Government's previous $3.1 billion commitment to the Pacific Highway.

The Pacific Highway is a key travel route for the eight million Australians that live in the Sydney to Brisbane corridor.