52519 (2024). Hon Barbara Edmonds to the Minister for Infrastructure

52519 (2024). Hon Barbara Edmonds to the Minister for Infrastructure: What infrastructure priorities does the Minister expect to be included when deciding who his Government will implement Regional Deals with?

Hon Chris Bishop: Delivering connected and resilient infrastructure is one of the three priority objectives within the Strategic Framework for Regional Deals. Through this priority objective, Regional Deals look to achieve: • better connected communities and businesses through infrastructure; • more resilient infrastructure built (and identified investment in support of it) against the impacts of natural hazards and climate change; and • infrastructure that enables economic development and housing objectives. Finalised Regional Deals are also likely to align with the 30-year National Infrastructure Plan. When selecting the first regions for Regional Deals, the Government will focus on high-growth areas where it can build on established working relationships to implement spatial plans. The Strategic Framework for Regional Deals sets out the Government’s expectations for regional deals and the criteria for selecting regions for Deals. The criteria for this include: • growth potential of the region; • commitment to a regional spatial plan; • capability, capacity and readiness to deliver; • commitment to fiscal prudence; and • commitment to broader government reform objectives such as Local Water Done Well and Going for Housing Growth. These criteria are centred around ensuring deliverability of projects in to support infrastructure priorities.