Home Parliamentary Business Committees Senate Committees Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Budget estimates 2024–25 Chapter 2 - Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio (excluding Communications and the Arts)

Chapter 2 - Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio (excluding Communications and the Arts)

Chapter 2Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio (excluding Communications and the Arts)

2.1This chapter outlines key items discussed during the hearings with the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio (excluding Communications and the Arts) on 28 and 29 May 2024. The committee also held an additional hearing on 25 June 2024.

2.2The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee (the committee) heard from the following areas of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the department) and portfolio agencies:

Corporate matters divisions (Human Resources and Property, Communications, Finance and Business Services, Legal Services, Information Technology, Ministerial and Parliamentary Services, and Assurance, Integrity, Risk and Governance);

Outcome 1 divisions (Infrastructure Investment);

Outcome 2 divisions (Surface Transport, Road Safety, and Air Transport);

Outcome 3 divisions (Regional Development Program, Local Government, Cities, and Growing a Stronger Northern Australia Economy);

Outcome 4 divisions (Services to Territories);

Airservices Australia;

Australian Transport Safety Bureau;

Australian Maritime Safety Authority;

Australian Rail Track Corporation;

Civil Aviation Safety Authority;

High Speed Rail Authority;

Infrastructure Australia;

Inland Rail;

National Transport Commission;

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility; and

Western Sydney Airport Corporation.

2.3The National Intermodal Corporation and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority were released from the hearing without questioning.

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Corporate matters

2.4The committee commenced its examination of the department by examining the divisions under corporate matters on Tuesday, 28 May 2023. Evidence heard by the committee regarding these divisions included:

answering of questions on notice from additional estimates, with reference to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet handbook (pp. 4–19);

arrangements for the current and appointment of the next Airservices Chief Executive Officer (pp. 19–22, and 25–26);

appointment of members to Infrastructure Australia Advisory Council (pp. 23–26);

Departmental staffing and resources (pp. 26–32, and 34–35);

portfolio agency board appointments (pp. 32–34);

Departmental budget (pp. 35–38);

determination of risk (pp. 38–39);

departmental travel budget (pp. 39–40);

tender process for new office accommodation (pp. 40–41); and

Net Zero Roadmap (pp. 41–44).

Outcome 1

2.5The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 1 of the department on 28 May 2024. Topics discussed included:

update on the Inland Rail project including discussion about the Schott Report (pp. 44–49, 50–52, and 102–109);

Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (pp. 100–102);

Infrastructure project funding updates (pp. 83–100, and 103–109);

Queensland infrastructure projects update (pp. 49–55, and 78);

Indooroopilly Roundabout Upgrade (p. 49);

Queensland inland freight route (p. 49);

Linkfield Road Overpass Upgrade(pp. 52–54);

Queensland Beef Corridors (pp. 54–55);

Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line (pp. 78–82);

Victorian infrastructure updates (pp. 55–59, and 65–70);

Regional Rail Revival (pp. 65–67);

Melbourne Airport Rail Line (pp. 55–59);

Armstrong Creek transit corridor (pp. 66–67);

Geelong Ring Road Extension (Bellarine Link) (pp. 67–68);

Geelong Faster Rail (pp. 68–70);

Western Australia infrastructure program updates (pp. 59–65);

Metronet program (pp. 60–62);

Great Northern Highway (pp. 62–63, and 65);

West Port (pp. 63–64);

Garden Island Highway (pp. 64–65);

Tasmania infrastructure program updates (pp. 70–71);

Australian Capital Territory infrastructure program updates (pp. 71–75);

Canberra Light Rail Stage 2 (pp. 71–75);

Bruce Precinct Masterplan (pp. 73–74, and 94–100);

New South Wales infrastructure program updates, including Western Sydney Airport (pp. 75–78); and

state, territory and federal funding split (pp. 79).

Outcome 2

2.6The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 2 of the department on 28 May 2024, these topics included:

Moorabbin Airport Masterplan (pp. 109–110, and 127–130);

Tasmanian Freight Equalization Scheme (pp. 110–113); and

Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards (pp. 113–116, and 117–124);

Maritime Strategic Fleet (pp. 116–117, and 126–127);

aircraft noise complaints (pp. 124–126);

electric vehicle safety standards (pp. 130–131);

Sydney Airport slot allocation (pp. 131–133);

Outcome 3

2.7The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 3 on 28 May 2023. The following topics were discussed:

Urban redevelopment of Macquarie Point (pp. 133–134);

Launceston City Deal (pp. 134–135);

Northern Australia infrastructure (pp. 135–136);

Growing Regions Program investment (pp. 136–140);

Investing in Our Communities Program investment (p. 140);

Cradle Mountain Cableway Project (pp. 140–141); and

Middle Arm Precinct update (pp. 141–142).

Airservices Australia

2.8The committee was provided with evidence from Airservices Australia on 29 May 2024, and they discussed the following matters:

occupancy and selection process for the Chief Executive Officer role at Airservices Australia (pp. 3–6, and 18–21);

Mr Harfield’s attendance at Budget Estimates (pp. 5–6, and 15–17);

Traffic Information Broadcast by Aircraft (TIBA) (pp. 6–11, and 17–21);

aircraft noise impact and mitigation at Hobart Airport (pp. 11–13);

environmental assessment of flight paths around Hobart (p. 12);

Airservices Australia engagement in Brisbane (pp. 13–15, 27, and 43);

aircraft noise impact and mitigation at Brisbane Airport (pp. 21–23, and 31–35);

increase in service fees from airlines (pp. 23–26);

Brisbane Airport runway operations (pp. 27–32);

executive renumeration at Airservices Australia (pp. 35–36, and 46–47);

Western Sydney Airport flight paths and complaints (pp. 37–39); and

freedom of information request sent to Airservices Australia (pp. 39–46).

Infrastructure Australia

2.9Evidence was heard from Infrastructure Australia on 29 May 2024 with the following topics being discussed:

legislative reforms to Infrastructure Australia (p. 47);

emissions calculations (p. 47);

Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework (pp. 49–51);

progress on Iron Boomerang proposal (pp. 51–52);

research and investment (pp. 52–54);

priority of the Metronet project in Western Australia (pp. 54–56);

progress on the Sydney to Canberra faster rail proposal (pp. 56–59);

Suburban Rail Loop (pp. 59–60);

Melbourne Airport Rail Link (pp. 60–62);

Annual Budget and Performance Statements 2023–24 (p. 62);

industrial relations and the impact on infrastructure cost (pp. 62–64); and

climate projection used in infrastructure assessment (pp. 65–67).

High–Speed Rail Authority

2.10The committee received evidence from the High–Speed Rail Authority on 29 May 2024, discussing the following matters:

corridor protections (p. 67);

staffing breakdown, executive hiring, and office locations (pp. 67–69);

High–Speed Rail Strategic Plan (pp. 69–71); and

funding allocated to the agency (pp. 71–72).

Australian Rail Track Corporation and Inland Rail Pty Ltd

2.11The committee heard evidence from Australian Rail Track Corporation and Inland Rail Pty Ltd on 29 May 2024, with discussion on the following matters:

Inland Rail project stage updates (pp. 72–75, and 83–85);

Inland Rail funding (pp. 74–75, and 78);

Inland Rail impact on Cultural Heritage Sites (pp. 76–78, and 85–86);

Australian Rail Track Corporation East West Corridor closures (pp. 78–82); and

Australian Rail Track Corporation Board changes (p. 82).

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2.12The committee heard evidence from Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 29 May 2024, with the following topics being discussed:

CASA Board changes (pp. 86–87);

Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer training (pp. 87–88);

Moorabbin Airport masterplan advice (pp. 88–89);

CASA health advice in relation to COVID–19 vaccines (pp. 89–93, and 98–103);

pilot fatigue and mitigation (pp. 93–97); and

Fee Help for CASA regulated training (pp. 97–98).

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

2.13The committee was provided with evidence from Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) on 29 May 2024, with discussion focusing on the following matters:

agency financials (pp. 104–106);

the Statutory Review on the operation of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act (pp. 106–107);

responses to questions on notice from Additional Estimates (p. 107);

engagements with the Minister and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (pp. 108–109);

Northern Australia infrastructure pipeline (pp. 109–112);

Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030 (pp. 112–114);

environmental social governance of the agency (pp. 114–115);

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility project updates (pp. 115–117); and

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility project board updates (pp. 117–118).

Australian Transport Safety Bureau

2.14The Australian Transport Safety Bureau gave evidence to the committee on 29 May 2024, with the following matters being discussed:

agency budget and staffing (p. 119); and

aerodrome design standards (pp. 120–121).

Western Sydney Airport Corporation

2.15The committee heard evidence on 29 May 2024 from the Western Sydney Airport Corporation, with the following topics being discussed:

Elizabeth Drive funding and consultation (p. 122);

cargo precinct tenants and potential airline operations (pp. 122–124); and

opening schedule of Western Sydney Airport (p. 125).

Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator

2.16At the committee’s public hearing on 29 May 2024, the committee heard evidence from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator and discussed the following matters:

cost recovery proposal (p. 126); and

train lighting standards (pp. 126–127).

National Transport Commission

2.17The committee heard evidence from National Transport Commission on 29 May 2024, and they discussed the following matters:

National Transport Commission board vacancies (pp. 127–128); and

Australian Light Vehicle Standards (pp. 128–129).

Additional budget estimates hearing

2.18The committee agreed to hold an additional hearing on 30 May 2024, to examine further the department on 25 June 2024. Officers from Outcome 2, Outcome 3, and Outcome 4 were called to provide evidence to the committee.

Outcome 2

2.19The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 2 on 25 June 2024. The following matters were discussed:

impacts of Bonza Airlines entering administration and the subsequent government response (pp. 4–13);

resumption of international flights to Broome (p. 11);

low carbon liquid fuel industry (pp. 13–14); and

improvements to level crossing safety in regional Australia (pp. 15–16).

Outcome 3

2.20The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 3 on 25 June 2024. The following topics were discussed:

meetings between the Office of Northern Australia and the minister (p. 16);

staffing arrangements for the Office of Northern Australia (pp. 16–18);

Northern Australia Action Plan (pp. 18–20 and 23–24);

White Paper on Developing Northern Australia – refresh (pp. 18–20 and 23–27);

Priority Community Infrastructure Program application process (pp. 21–22);

updates on the Northern Australia development program (pp. 25–26);

updates on the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (p. 26);

Community Development Grant for the Kenmore Men’s Shed (pp. 28–29);

updates on The Priority Community Infrastructure Program (PCIP) (pp. 29–30);

new funding guidelines for the Roads to Recovery Program (pp. 30–32);

Growing the Regions Program funding allocation (p. 33); and

Australian National Audit Office report on the Growing the Regions Program (pp. 33–40).

Outcome 4

2.21On 25 June 2024 the committee heard evidence from divisions underOutcome 4 with discussion on the following topics:

the improvement of water infrastructure on Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (p. 40); and

the government response to the Inquiry into local governance on Norfolk Island report (pp. 40–41).