A weekly analysis updating you on the latest developments in the infrastructure sector. View the full report in your browser. Follow us on In this edition Scott Morrison announces new Cabinet following election victory $250 million Roma Street bus interchange to be constructed as part of Cross River Rail Sydney Airport 20-year masterplan approved by Federal Government 2019-20 Tasmanian Budget handed down IEA launches Global EV Outlook 2019 WA Government releases Environmental Review for METRONET’s Yanchep Rail Extension Industry News Appointments Policy Taskforces and Events GOVERNMENT Scott Morrison announces new Cabinet following election victory Over the weekend, Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled his new Cabinet, with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack retaining the Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development portfolio. Alan Tudge has retained his role as Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population and is promoted into Cabinet, effectively elevating the infrastructure sector’s representation within Cabinet. Following a meeting of the Labor caucus, Anthony Albanese has assumed leadership of the Australian Labor Party, with Richard Marles appointed as Deputy Leader. While the Morrison Government’s ministry remains largely unchanged, Angus Taylor has taken on an expanded role as Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, while Sussan Ley returns to Cabinet as the Environment Minister. TRANSPORT $250 million Roma Street bus interchange to be constructed as part of Cross River Rail This week, the Queensland Government announced that a $250 million upgrade project to move the Roma Street station bus interchange underground will progress as part of Cross River Rail works. Once complete, about 650 metres of the busway will be located underground. The new underground busway interchange will be constructed by the Pulse consortium comprising Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, UGL, BAM, Ghella and DIF who are also completing the Tunnel, Stations, and Development Public Private Partnership package of CRR. This new project forms part of a Request for Project Change process that has been initiated by the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority. TRANSPORT Sydney Airport 20-year masterplan approved by Federal Government The Federal Government has approved Sydney Airport’s Master Plan 2039. The plan details expected patronage growth and infrastructure requirements at the airport over the next 20 years, with patronage forecast to increase from 43.3 million in 2017 to 65.6 million in 2039. In terms of infrastructure, the plan includes an Airport Development Plan, Five-Year Ground Transport Plan and a 20-Year Ground Transport Strategy. Sydney Airport released a draft master plan for stakeholder feedback in August 2018. Following this, Sydney Airport submitted a revised master plan to the Federal Government for approval earlier this year. BUDGET 2019-20 Tasmanian Budget handed down Late last week, the Tasmanian Government handed down its 2019-20 Budget. The Tasmanian Budget is headlined by strong Gross State Product growth but declining fiscal health due to a significant fall in revenue. Savings measures will be implemented across all Government agencies to achieve $450 million in savings over the forward estimates. This Budget sees a total of $2.8 billion committed to infrastructure, with the bulk infrastructure investment going towards roads and bridges. A full analysis of the 2019-20 Tasmanian Budget is included below. TRANSPORT IEA launches Global EV Outlook 2019 This week, the International Energy Agency launched the 2019 edition of the Global EV Outlook at the tenth Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Vancouver. The report is an annual publication providing insights into EV and charging infrastructure deployment, ownership cost, energy use, emissions and demand for battery materials. The report highlights the rapid growth in EVs over the past decade, with global stock passing five million in 2018, an increase of 63 per cent from the previous year. Of the total stock of EVs across the globe, China accounts for 45 per cent, followed by Europe at 24 per cent, and the United States at 22 per cent. Norway remains the largest market in terms of a share of its overall vehicle fleet. TRANSPORT WA Government releases Environmental Review for METRONET’s Yanchep Rail Extension This week, the WA Government released the Environmental Review Document for the northern portion of the Yanchep Rail Extension under the METRONET program. It found the project will have some ecological impacts on landforms and other impacts from noise and vibration from construction activities and increased traffic. The WA Environmental Protection Authority is currently taking submissions on the Environmental Review Document until 8 July. Industry news The Sydney Metro Northwest officially commenced operations on 26 May. The Tunnels and Stations Civil works was undertaken by the CPB Contractors, John Holland and Dragados joint venture, while the Surface and Viaduct Civil works package was completed by a Salini Impregilo joint venture. Construction elements of the Operations, Trains and Systems Public Private Partnership was completed by Northwest Rapid Transit comprising MTR Corporation, John Holland, CPB Contractors, UGL Rail and Plenary. The NRT consortium will also operate the line on a 15-year concession. Alstom will provide maintenance for the trains and other systems on a 15-year contract. The NSW Government is seeking feedback on plans for a new $280 million Engineering Innovation Hub to be located in Parramatta. The proposal is for a 19-storey building which will house engineering and architecture students from the University of NSW and Western Sydney University when complete. Submissions are open until 19 June. The Australian Energy Market Commission has recommended a range of regulatory changes to allow distribution network businesses to supply customers with stand-alone power systems. The rule changes would allow network businesses to supply the systems when it is cheaper than maintaining a grid connection. The Victorian Government has announced the Victorian Default Offer, effective 1 July. The Offer has been created in line with the advice received from the Essential Services Commission and aims to decrease power bills. The Queensland Government has provided development approval to ACCIONA’s $400 million Aldoga solar farm in Gladstone. Once complete, the solar farm will generate about 250 megawatts of energy, fed into the national electricity grid via a connection into the Larcom Creek Station. The Tasmanian Government has released a Request for Tender for the design and project management of the next stage of the Mersey Community Hospital redevelopment. The successful proponent will design the outpatient clinics and operating theatres being delivered under the project. The Queensland Government, Logan City Council and nine developers have signed an agreement for $1.2 billion in infrastructure to be constructed in the region. It will be funded through developer contributions with infrastructure such as roads, water pipes, and treatment systems to be delivered as more housing development occurs in the region. The Australian Energy Regulator has released the Draft Interim Contracts and Firmness Guidelines for the Retailer Reliability Obligation for consultation. The guidelines are one of six being developed by the AER for when the RRO is enacted. Submissions on the draft guidelines are due by 19 June, with the final interim guidelines to be published on 31 August and final guidelines by 31 December 2020. The Queensland Government will undertake a feasibility study into introducing hydropower generation across state-owned dams in South East Queensland. The study will consider options for hydro-electric plants at existing dams and potential for pumped hydro storage. Infrastructure New Zealand is now accepting registrations for its Building Nations Symposium 2019 being held between 21 August and 23 August. Speakers at the Symposium include Chief Executive Water Industry Commission for Scotland Alan Sutherland and former Chief Executive of Manchester City Council in the UK, Sir Howard Bernstein. Metron T2M, a joint venture comprising Mott MacDonald and Arcadis, has been awarded a $26 million design contract for the Sydney Metro – City and Southwest project. The contract includes design for stations and the general rail corridor between Marrickville to Punchbowl. BACK TO TOP Appointments Roch Cheroux has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Water, effective 2 September. Mr Cheroux is currently the Chief Executive Officer of SA Water. The WA Government has appointed Brad Geatches as Chair of the Pilbara Ports Authority. Mr Geatches was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Perth Airport. Jamie Briggs has been promoted to Managing Partner for PwC South Australia, effective 1 July. Mr Briggs first joined PwC as a Partner in 2016. TransGrid has promoted Fiona Orton to the position of Head of Future Energy. Ms Orton was previously Future Grid Manager at TransGrid. Guy Chalkey and Kathryn Barrie have been appointed as Directors on the Board of Western Power. Mr Chalkey has been Chief Executive Officer of Western Power since 2016, while Ms Barrie joins from her role in the WA Treasury’s Public Utilities Office. Drew Riethmuller has been promoted to Head of Global Corporate and Investment Banking for Oceania at MUFG. Mr Riethmuller joined MUFG in 2016. Richard Yorke has also joined MUFG as Head of Global Corporate and Investment Banking for Asia Pacific.