Public Works Act 1981 - Overhaul 2024

[Brent George]

Govt aims to build infrastructure faster with law shakeup
One News - 19-June-2024

Another law is set for a shakeup, as the Government moves to fast track infrastructure projects.

The Public Works Act allows Government agencies to force people and businesses to sell their land so big projects can be completed.

1News can exclusively reveal it's set for an overhaul — all with the aim of building infrastructure faster.

The Public Works Act first came along in the 1980s, it was all about thinking big to boost the economy.

It helped build the Marsden Point Oil Refinery and Clyde Dam, both fast tracked by the introduction of the Act.

It allows government agencies to legally acquire land from its owners. But it can take years, due to indecision over projects, and landowners challenging acquisitions.

Land Information Minister Chris Penk told 1News: "We want to know ways that we can basically speed up the process, which will give much more certainty to land owners and of course get infrastructure built much more quickly."

[Ian Gillespie]

I wonder if the next logical step will be to bring back the Ministry of Works

[Brent George]

Perhaps this is this the old "Ministry of Works" rebirth.....

New Infrastructure Agency to be rolled out with 30-year plan for Projects
Stuff - National: 28-August-2024

A new $26 million infrastructure agency will be in place by the end of the year and the government is developing a 30-year pipeline of infrastructure projects, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has revealed, in efforts to bring “long-term stability” to basic facilities such as schools and hospitals.

Bishop described the 30-year pipeline as a “roadmap” which will be managed by the Infrastructure Commission.

It will also formally brief political parties every six months on its decisions, in an effort to build political consensus so projects are not scuppered by a change of government.

He has also proposed an annual debate on the plan in the House.