Multibillion-dollar yearly spend needed to support population growth: infrastructure audit

An audit of Australia's infrastructure needs is calling for spending of $200 billion every five years on projects that will enable the country to keep pace with population growth.

Source: AAP

The 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit is calling for more infrastructure projects to try to keep pace with population growth.

The Infrastructure Australia audit finds traffic congestion costs the economy $19 billion a year now and, in the absence of upgrades, that cost will double to almost $49 billion by 2031.

It says the current boom in construction projects needs to become the "new normal" to keep up with population pressures and changing consumer demands.