The release today of the Engineers Australia 2010 Victorian Infrastructure Report Card, indicates progress in some areas of Victoria’s infrastructure over the past 5 years, but the overall picture clearly shows that the majority of infrastructure categories fall within the areas of concern of having either not improved, or have gone backwards.  

The 2010 report card reviewed infrastructure categories across energy, telecommunications, transport and water and assigned ratings * within the scales of A – F, and provides many comparisons with the initial 2005 Victorian Infrastructure Report Card.

Of the categories reviewed in the 2010 report, two get variations of a “B” rating (good), 11 get variations of the “C” rating (needing major changes), and 1 gets a “D” (needing critical changes). 

The “B” ratings were given to Airports (B) and Wastewater (B minus). The “C” ratings cover Roads Overall (C plus), National Roads (C plus), State Roads (C plus) and Local Roads (C minus); Ports (C plus); Irrigation (C minus); Stormwater (C minus); Potable Water (C); Gas (C); Electricity (C minus) and Telecommunications (C). Rail was rated as a “D”.

The report shows that marginal improvements have been made in the areas of National and State Roads, Ports and Irrigation. The ratings for Local Roads, Stormwater and Gas have remained the same, and Rail, Potable Water, Wastewater and Electricity have worsened. The categories of Victoria’s Airports and Telecommunications have been rated for the first time.

Engineers Australia’s infrastructure report card committee spokesperson, Professor John Wilson, said that while the report card takes account of large infrastructure projects that have been initiated in Victoria over the last five years, many critical aspects of Victoria’s infrastructure remain barely adequate for current needs, let alone future needs.

“Our review of Victoria’s infrastructure concludes that funding commitments are largely inadequate to support the substantial costs of renewal and replacement given ongoing population growth and the future challenges of climate change.

“There is inadequate investment of time in the planning, consultation and preparation for delivery to ensure projects are-ready-to go, and current planning and political processes create a short term focus in an area where a very long term focus is required.”

To ensure Victoria’s infrastructure will, in time, meet the needs and expectations of business and the wider community, the report card recommendations include the establishment of a new body to advise the Victorian Government on strategic infrastructure planning.

“Victoria’s State and Local Governments must lead the development of long-term, integrated infrastructure plans and ensure successful implementation through increased investment in the project planning and consultation phases.

“The establishment of a new strategic advisory body to assist the Victorian Government on infrastructure planning is essential to bring together clear thinking about the complexities and priorities of infrastructure development across our State.

“The establishment of an infrastructure body would also provide a direct interface with Infrastructure Australia to ensure that Victorian ‘business-case-projects’ are clearly identified and ready for access to Australian Government funding,” Professor Wilson said.

Other recommendations of the report card include an increase in the quantum of funding, addressing population growth and climate change, partnering with the private sector and addressing the allocation of risk within such partnerships.

Ratings for the current and past Victorian and National Report Cards can be read here

Further Information: Summaries of each infrastructure type, grade and comment is attached and a copy of the full report is available at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/ircvic). This report card is the first in the new series that will be completed for all States /Territories by the end of 2010. 

(* The ratings have been based on an assessment of asset condition; asset availability and reliability; asset management; sustainability; and security. An “A” means very good – that is, the infrastructure is fit for its current and anticipated future purposes, “B” – is good – with minor changes needed to meet current and future needs, “C” – is adequate – but major changes required, “D” – is poor – with critical changes required; and “F” – is inadequate)

Media Contact: John Bright – 0407 234 490 / jbright@engineersaustralia.org.au                 

Engineers Australia is the common name of the Institution of Engineers Australia with a membership of almost 90,000.