Private sector asked to provide proposals for Northern Australia Roads Programme

The Government has released a discussion paper on ways of maximising value for money from its investments in northern Australia's infrastructure through private sector involvement.

The paper invites the private sector to bring forward innovative funding and delivery proposals for projects to be delivered under the $600 million Northern Australia Roads Programme.

"The Government is keen to test the market to see what the appetite is for delivering innovative investment in road transport infrastructure in the north," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, The Hon Warren Truss MP, said.

"Our focus is on delivering outcomes for Northern Australia – and we will choose whatever works best, be it a private sector proposal or delivery by government. And what works for one particular road may not work for another."

Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said it was important to test whether private sector ideas could allow more to be delivered for the funds committed by government.

"We are therefore seeking the private sector's input on realistic and workable concepts and innovative models that will maximise the value of public investments in northern Australia road infrastructure," Mr Fletcher said.

Copies of the discussion paper are available on the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website