Infrastructure and construction

Construction site in North West Sydney

After 26 years of uninterrupted economic growth, NSW has embarked on the largest infrastructure program in Australia. The state has committed to spend A$80 billion on new economic infrastructure over the next four years.

The program drives economic growth throughout NSW by alleviating congestion and improving the quality of essential services.

The NSW Government is collaborating with industry to deliver a large and sustainable program of both economic and social infrastructure. A large component of this will be contracted to the private sector.

Modern infrastructure

The large physical networks necessary for the functioning of a modern industrial nation, such as roads, railways and utilities – provides the people of NSW with the means to get to and from work and family. It also gives them access to everything from safe drinking water to internet connections and electricity to run the operating theatre equipment that saves lives in our hospitals. From the essential to the iconic, these economic infrastructure networks make NSW tick.

Economic infrastructure networks in turn enable the delivery of what is known as social infrastructure – all the institutions that are required to maintain the economic, health, cultural and social standards of the state, such as the financial system, the education system and the healthcare system.

Together, these networks provide the quality of life and breadth of opportunity that have made NSW one of the best places in the world to live.

Infrastructure and sustainable development

Sydney has an exceptionally strong infrastructure pipeline that includes some of the biggest and most innovative projects in the world.

One of the most anticipated projects is the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, a global business gateway to be built near the A$5.3 billion Western Sydney Airport that will open in 2026.

The Australian, NSW and local governments are committed to making the best of the extraordinary opportunity to shape this part of Sydney into a world-class economic precinct. They aim to attract industries such as defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, freight and logistics, agribusiness, health, education and tourism.

When it comes to agriculture, premium Australian perishables such as meat, seafood and dairy products make up around 60 per cent of outbound airfreight (by volume) from Sydney’s existing Kingsford Smith Airport.

The new airport in Western Sydney will boost export volumes, with the NSW Farmers Association setting out a vision of an agribusiness precinct capable of delivering fresh produce and pre-prepared food anywhere in the world within 36 hours of being produced.

The Aerotropolis project will be based on world-leading design, innovation and sustainability principles.

Current projects

The private sector plays a critical role in financing, developing and delivering infrastructure in NSW. The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a priority and is actively promoting a large pipeline of activity, with plans to spend more than $73 billion over the next four years. Major projects that have commenced include:

Future opportunities

Future projects include major road and rail infrastructure, urban regeneration programs, transit-oriented developments and a second international airport in Sydney. Opportunities exist for direct investment as well as participation in design, construction, management and operation of projects.

NSW Department of Industry assists businesses that are contemplating significant new investment in infrastructure, whether establishing a new operation, relocating a business or expanding an existing business. In addition to providing information on the local market and regulatory requirements, the department can facilitate discussions with the relevant planning authorities.

Growing a smart city

NSW is a global leader in developing and using groundbreaking smart city technologies that are providing solutions to worldwide urban infrastructure challenges – helping make cities sustainable, resilient and liveable.

The state is also a leader in smart transport. The NSW Government has begun trials of driverless vehicles at Sydney Olympic Park, and trucks are being connected to intelligent transport systems. These systems allow heavy vehicles to communicate with each other and with infrastructure. In addition, Australia’s first driverless metro rail is due to open in Sydney in 2019.

NSW also has world-class urban infrastructure research and development facilities such as the SMART Infrastructure Facility at the University of Wollongong, south of Sydney. This centre is an international leader in applied infrastructure research.

Finally, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s Data61 is developing innovative technologies that will ensure Australia’s cities are sustainable into the future.