16 March 2015
The Future of Infrastructure - a vision for WA
Statement by CCI Chief Executive Officer, Deidre Willmott.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA says the State Government must look to the private sector
as the “white knight” to help meet Western Australia’s infrastructure demands.
A new report by the CCI says that despite record levels of infrastructure spending in WA over the past
decade, infrastructure constraints persist which can potentially impact future growth, the State’s wealth
and quality of life, CCI CEO Deidre Willmott said.
The Future of Infrastructure Report is the latest in a series of seven papers outlining the CCI’s vision for
WA to become a leading place to live and do business.
“With the State budget coming under pressure and net debt expected to reach $30 billion in the next
three years, we cannot rely on the Government to continue to fund infrastructure into the future,” Ms
Willmott said.
“We need to find alternative ways to meet our infrastructure needs, and engaging the private sector in
financing, designing, building, operating and maintaining infrastructure will be an important part of this.”
Key recommendations in The Future of Infrastructure Report include:
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Improving infrastructure planning and prioritisation by establishing an independent infrastructure
advisory body made up of public and private sector representatives, responsible for delivering a
comprehensive infrastructure strategy;
Ensuring that all projects are subject to a thorough and transparent cost benefit analysis;
More Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to deliver public infrastructure projects more efficiently;
Considering new sources of project funding such as superannuation funds and foreign investment;
Further privatisation of assets to improve economic efficiency, pay down debt and fund new
infrastructure;
Greater use of direct user charging, particularly for transport infrastructure.
Ms Willmott said meeting WA’s infrastructure demands was critical to the state’s future success.
“High quality infrastructure attracts investment,” Ms Willmott said.
“It is a key enabler for industry growth and increased productivity and is critical to ensuring that the
whole community can contribute to, and share in, the State’s wealth and quality of life.”
The Future of Infrastructure report is available at http://read.uberflip.com/i/471973
Media contact – Cath Langmead - (08) 9365 7727 or 0468 988 911
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia
180 Hay Street, East Perth, Western Australia 6004 | P: (08) 9365 7555 | F: (08) 9365 7550 | E: [email protected]