Better Planning Infrastructure

Covid-19 has put government finances under great pressure and increases the need to rigorously assess the worthiness of large infrastructure projects. Allocating constrained resources, both financial and physical, to projects that deliver poor value for money will lengthen and exacerbate the economic crisis.

Telopea Group have developed technology and undertaken associated modelling to speed and improve the assessment of large infrastructure projects.

This innovative technology, enabled by web mapping services (WMS) datasets and a powerful algoritm, enables users to plan, reveal, compare, assess and justify large infrastructure, such as newly proposed roads and railways.

The web app can make public works and private development more transparent, and help design and assess electrical grids, utility pipelines, irrigation schemes and transport networks.

The WMS innovation is demostrated using real world examples which include reviews of several major infrastructure programs currently being pursued by the NSW Government. The examples can be accessed by signing into the app whilst the reviews can be can be accessed via the subscription.

Beaches Link and the Western Harbour Tunnel

An economic study on the $20 billion Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.

Includes a draft paper presenting options analysis and detailed economic evaluation. The paper considers:

• alternative route options for the Beaches Link,
• a metro rail as proposed by North Sydney Council, and
• funding solutions to deliver the motorway without using tolls.

An alternative to raising Warragamba Dam

A renewable energy, hydro and irrigation scheme proposed to transfer water from the Greater Sydney Dams to central, north west and far west New South Wales.

The proposed route is revealed using the WMS and detailed economic evaluation is also included in the study. The paper considers:

• A route to transfer water that would supply both the Lachlan and Abercrombie Rivers,
• An alternative to raising Warragamba Dam Wall,
• an innovative opportunity to supply water to North West NSW,
• opportunities to reduce emissions and funding options.

Connecting Sydney Quickly

A better transport network and strategy for Sydney. The paper considers:

• current NSW Government transport initiatives and alternatives,
• Compass Connect an altnative to terminating the City West metro at Hunter Street,
• opportunities to increase productivity in the delivery of large infrastructure projects, and
• alternative funding solutions to deliver the Beaches Link without using tolls

Features

The examples, web map technology, datasets and algoritm are accessed via this web app and enables users to plan, reveal, compare, assess and justify large infrastructure, such as new roads and rail. The features include:

• A WMS-enabled database to record and track infrastructure planning and delivery,
• A planning tool to identify and map infrastructure options,
• An almanac to cost delivery of proposed infrastructure,
• A trip planner to compare travel times, routes, fares and tolls on existing and proposed infrastructure,
• Mass transit simulations generated with the algorithm to assess the benefits of proposed infrastructure,
• Incorporation of ABS LGA census data, state development data and disruptors (e.g. increased work from home) in the simulations to forecast travel demand, and
• Economic evaluation models, including net present value and benefit cost analysis, to assess, compare and justify different infrastructure options.