Resources for local governments and Regional Development Australia committees

IA is working with local governments and Regional Development Australia committees (RDAs) to strengthen their capability to make submissions to state bodies on project proposals. 

We are undertaking a phased approach to this work, starting by bringing together useful resources that will support local governments and RDAs to develop infrastructure proposals. We will continue to consult with local governments and RDAs to strengthen the information available on the website. 

We are also developing a National Planning and Assessment Framework to promote national consistency and coordination in infrastructure evaluations. We will consider local government and RDA needs throughout this process, including in the development of any guidance materials, training and best practice examples. 

Engage with us 

IA is keen to hear from local government and RDA stakeholders to understand challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen their capability to make submissions to state bodies on project proposals. 

Should you have any suggestions or ideas, please contact IA at mail@infrastructureaustralia.gov.au.   

How does IA work with local governments and RDAs? 

Throughout our work, we consider the role and needs of local governments and RDAs in delivering infrastructure. Our 2022 Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report provides a national view of the strengths and infrastructure gaps facing Australia’s regions. This report was informed by extensive regional consultation and collaboration with the RDA network. 

We engage regularly with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) as the national voice of local government. We undertook consultation in 2023 and 2024 to understand and identify opportunities for IA to help build capacity, which highlighted the complex challenges facing local governments and RDA committees, including resourcing, infrastructure project development, funding and financing. 

What kind of projects will be included on IA’s Infrastructure Priority List (IPL)? 

The IPL is currently being reformed to create a new, more targeted list, aligned to the Australian Government’s investment priorities. It will identify the nation’s top infrastructure investment priorities and is designed to help inform the Australian Government’s decision-making on nationally significant infrastructure.  The IPL is one of several inputs the Australian Government considers when making investment decisions. Proposals featured on the IPL are not guaranteed funding.  

For more information, see our IPL page. 

Can local governments and RDAs submit a project proposal to IA? 

Local governments and RDAs can still have their project proposals evaluated by IA and considered for the IPL. However, as per IA’s legislation they must have their proposals submitted to us on their behalf by a state or territory government. 

IA resources 

The following IA resources can assist local governments and RDAs in their preparation of infrastructure proposals. 

2022 Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps Provides a national view of the strengths and infrastructure gaps facing each of Australia’s regions in order to enable the identification of priority areas for future planning and analysis.

Strengthening Communities Provides a Rubric to help guide a place-based analysis. The Rubric does not determine what infrastructure solutions are needed but provides guidance for undertaking an analysis to help bridge the gap between identifying challenges, opportunities and considering specific solutions. The Rubric assists in informing potential investment and the development of solutions, whether they be built projects or reform. 

Infrastructure Market Capacity program Provides governments and industry with a picture of the nation’s demand to build and the market’s ability to deliver on that demand.

A Pathway to Infrastructure Resilience Provides national best-practice guidance for owners and managers of infrastructure assets to help planning for and improving resilience.

Assessment Framework The Assessment Framework is designed to help all stakeholders, including local governments and RDAs, to develop high-quality infrastructure proposals. It provides a national standard for best-practice infrastructure development, and explains our requirements and process for assessing proposals. Our supporting guides, such as the Guide to program appraisal and Guide to Multi-criteria analysis, provide additional detail.   

Broader Government resources 

The following resources can assist local governments and RDAs to align their infrastructure proposals to Australian and state government priorities and provide an evidence base to strengthen their case for funding. 

Australian Government resources 

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts 

State government resources 

There are a number of independent state and territory infrastructure bodies, or dedicated infrastructure functions, which we regularly engage and collaborate with. 

See key state-wide Infrastructure Plans and Strategies listed below. This list is not exhaustive. 

New South Wales 

Queensland 

Victoria 

Western Australia  

South Australia 

Tasmania 

Northern Territory 

ACT 

Best practice examples of regional collaboration