Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said details on every planned or current government project – federal, state and local – worth more than $50 million was now available at one location: www.nics.gov.au.

“Developed by my department, this new web-based tool removes a major impediment to the proper functioning of the market, namely a lack of comprehensive, complete and accessible information about the projects pending as well as those coming down the pipeline,” he said.

“Right now, 56 projects worth over $50 billion are listed, from the new hospital planned for Palmerston in the Northern Territory to the Midlands Irrigation Scheme in Tasmania.

“Previously, those interested in financing or building infrastructure had to rely on ‘word of mouth’ or scour countless websites and newspapers to find what was available, a process which inevitably advantaged larger investors and the big construction companies.

“NICS levels the playing field.

“Irrespective of where in the country or even the world they happen to be located, investors and infrastructure providers now have equal access to the same information about both the immediate and longer term opportunities which exist here in Australia.

“Over time, this will open up and attract more participants into the sector, which in turn will be good for competition and the price taxpayers ultimately pay to build the modern, well-planned infrastructure Australia needs for the future.”

This article first appeared in ILN's sister publication ConstructionIndustryNews.net.