Where Are the New Roads and Rail Going?

Households are likely to benefit from new and improved roads and rail nationally, with more than $17 billion in fresh infrastructure funding being unveiled in the 2025 budget.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed $17.1 billion in new spending over ten years in the budget for new and existing road and rail infrastructure projects.

New infrastructure has the potential to drive home prices higher, when they reduce commute times or give people access to public transport.

But there are instances when infrastructure works can hurt home prices too, like the noise and environmental pollution that can come with living near a construction site.

Here’s a snapshot of the new and existing infrastructure projects that received funding in this year’s budget.

Queensland drivers have been the biggest winners in this year’s budget, with $7.2 billion going towards safety upgrades on the Bruce Highway.

There was $200 million committed to the delivery of the Rockhampton Ring Road and a further $70 million to seal unsealed roads between the Lynd and Hughenden.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed $17.1 billion in new spending over ten years for infrastructure projects. Picture: Getty

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In NSW, the government has committed more than $2.3 billion to infrastructure upgrades in the growing Western Sydney region.

This included $1 billion to preserve the corridor for the South West Sydney rail extension, and $500 million to upgrade Fifteenth Avenue.

There was a further $465 million to plan for regional projects and fix choke points in the state, including $250 million to upgrade Mona Vale Road and $115 million to reduce travel times on Terrigal Drive.  

In Victoria, the treasurer has promised $2 billion to upgrade Sunshine train station, which is a key step in delivering Melbourne’s first airport rail link.

There was also $1.1 billion for upgrades along the Western Freeway and $1 billion for new road works throughout Melbourne’s suburbs and surrounds.

The budget had $350 million to upgrade the Westport – Kwinana Freeway in a win for Western Australian drivers.

Northern Territorians were set to benefit from a $200 million injection to duplicate sections of the Stuart Highway from Darwin to Katherine.

There was $200 million to upgrade the Arthur Highway in Tasmania; $125 million for the Curtis Road level crossing removal in South Australia; and $50 million to upgrade the Monaro Highway in the Australian Capital Territory.

Dr Chalmers said the infrastructure was essential for communities and supported economic growth.

“In total we’re investing more than $120 billion in infrastructure in every state and territory over the decade, improving the productivity, resilience, liveability and sustainability of our cities, regions and communities,” Dr Chalmers said in his budget speech.