Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has called on Federal politicians to boost investment in urban infrastructure projects, including a rail link from the city to Perth Airport.

Ms Scaffidi said research commissioned by the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) highlighted the economic impact and employment opportunities that could be generated by the construction and operation of major infrastructure projects in Australia.

Lord Mayors from all state capital cities nominated for analysis projects they considered important to their city’s future.  The projects ranged from improved urban transport to precinct renewal.

“The research shows that collectively, once operational, the projects identified by Lord Mayors are estimated to deliver an annualised and ongoing $1.81 billion boost to our cities’ Gross Regional Product,” Ms Scaffidi said
 
“In Perth, the Airport Rail Link is critical in supporting passenger growth at Perth Airport to the CBD.

“The rail line and three new stations will ease road congestion and provide better services for tourists and business travellers as well as generally for residents of the city.”

Specifically, the Airport Rail Link would have the following benefits:

• Reduced congestion and travel times to the city from the eastern dormitory.
• Reduced congestion on Great Eastern Highway, the current road ‘gateway’ to WA.
• Facilitate tourism and business air travel.
• Improved CBD/City access to interstate and international business travel, enhancing the business credentials of the city and state.
• Reduced private vehicle and road travel to the airport for fly in-fly out work.

Ms Scaffidi said the research, carried out by the Allen Consulting Group, estimated the total capital cost of the Airport Rail Link was about $670.4 million in present value terms, but would have incremental flow-ons for economic output, consumption and employment.

“In the construction phase alone, the impact on city economic output is estimated as equivalent to an increase in real Gross Regional Product of some $91 million over a three-year period,” Lord Mayor Scaffidi said.

“The research shows that the economic gains from this project would not be restricted to Perth as improved productivity would lift Australia’s economic output overall.

“The nation’s capital city mayors agree that Australia’s economic competitiveness is tied to the strength of our cities, which in turn is tied to the quality of our infrastructure.  This latest research confirms that money invested in urban infrastructure is money well spent.

“With capital cities our international gateway; home to almost 15 million Australians; and responsible for generating 64 per cent of Australia’s GDP, securing a strong economic future for our cities should be front and
centre of this year’s Federal election.”