NSW

Download the Full Report Here

NSW's 2010 Infrastructure Report has been released. To download the full report please click on the links below:

A Ratings Summary is available below.

Media Release

NSW infrastructure in average to poor condition

The release today of the Engineers Australia 2010 New South Wales Infrastructure Report Card finds that NSW’s infrastructure is generally in average to poor condition, with over three-quarters of the sectors needing major to critical changes.

What is the Infrastructure Report Card Project?

The 2010 Infrastructure Report Cards Project is a major initiative of Engineers Australia which aims to advance the quality and provision of infrastructure across the nation, with subsequent benefits to Australia’s economy, communities and the environment. The project’s output consists of Report Cards for all Australian States and Territories.

For more information about how the Report Cards are developed, please view our Frequently Asked Questions 

Previous Reports
 		  
 

 

Ratings Summary

The table below show the ratings summary. To download this summary in PDF format please click here

Infrastructure Type Grade Comment
Roads overall
 

C-
B-
D+
D+

 These ratings recognise that the NSW road network is under stress due to demand rising faster than supply, and that there is a lack of a road pricing mechanism that ensures road usage becomes more efficient. National roads are in physically better condition than State roads due to the considerable investment in them over the last decade. The physical quality of State roads may be improving, but their service quality is deteriorating due to rising congestion. Local roads are struggling to maintain their existing standard, primarily due to increase in demand, coupled with a rising backlog of maintenance.
Rail D- This rating recognises that while the ARTC’s Hunter Valley Coal Network and to a lesser extent, the other ARTC lines are of a good standard, the Metropolitan Rail Network and the Country Regional Network require significant improvements. Targeted projects are improving both networks, however, there is limited confidence that the planned projects will deliver the scale of improvements required along the metropolitan network routes and in country areas to meet both the unmet existing needs and those arising from the rapidly growing passenger and freight needs in Sydney.
Ports C This rating recognises that capacity is adequate at NSW’s major ports due to recent infrastructure upgrades and is planned to grow in line with need. There is a lack of integration between the ports and road and rail infrastructure that has led to congestion problems and therefore the lower rating.
Airports B This rating recognises that there has been a significant investment in NSW’s major airports over the last decade and they meet current and anticipated short-term demand. Problems of access and constraints remain at these airports, including curfews due to nearby land use. A number of regional airports are under stress due to rising costs and limited ability to increase revenue, and a lack of State Government policy guidance about their future.
Potable Water B- This rating reflects the significant infrastructure and demand management improvements undertaken in the metropolitan areas that have addressed the recent water supply problems caused by the drought. It also recognises that the water supply plans established by the metropolitan water supply utilities provide a sound basis for the delivery of an efficient and reliable water supply into the future. While there have been some improvements in regional water supply quality and availability, local water utilities face significant infrastructure and supply challenges, including limited ability to raise revenue to improve infrastructure and access to sustainable raw water sources.
Wastewater C+ This rating recognises that there have been improvements in wastewater infrastructure and asset management across both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas resulting in a noticeable improvement in the environmental impact of wastewater. There has also been an increased reuse of wastewater, which is reducing demand for potable water.
Stormwater C This rating recognises that stormwater design and management is of a high quality in both new and infill developments. This is primarily due to water sensitive urban design becoming standard practice, and good land use planning. Significant problems remain in areas serviced by older stormwater systems, resulting in chronic localised flooding. These problems cannot be rectified easily due to their significant cost and community impact.
Irrigation C This rating recognises there have been significant improvements to irrigation infrastructure over the last decade resulting in increased water efficiency and irrigation operations. The relevance of existing infrastructure and future infrastructure improvements will depend on water availability decisions to be made on the Murray Darling Basis cap this year.
Electricity C- This rating recognises that there has been improvement in mobile and broadband infrastructure, but there are still a number of blackspots where services are inadequate.
Gas C This rating recognises that the gas transmission and distribution systems are in a sound condition, and increases in gas exploration, production and pipeline capacity have increased supply. However, as future supply and demand for gas is highly uncertain due to government policy, the internationalisation of domestic gas prices, and the construction of new gas-fired generation plants along the east coast of Australian, it is impossible to determine if the infrastructure is appropriate for future demand.
Telecommunications C- This rating recognises that the mobile and broadband provision is generally very high in the metropolitan areas, but is of variable quality in regional areas. The twisted copper pair network, upon which ADSL services rest, is reaching its limits and the rollout of fibre, broadband wireless and satellite under the NBN will enable the next evolution of broadband services to be provided. Backhaul networks are in good condition and competitive provision will be improved through the NBN blackspots program.
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