The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) has given the federal government an overall tick of approval for this week’s budget, but still has concerns in various areas.

In a statement, the IPWEA said that the government “has taken a pragmatic approach when it comes to infrastructure spending”.

“Whilst the budget signals the Government’s intent to decrease funding for infrastructure, we are buoyed by the recognition of needing to upgrade existing assets and maintenance of local roads,” said the President of the IPWEA, Myles Lind.

Lind pointed to the 2021 National State of the Assets report, which estimated that it would cost $51 billion to replace poor quality infrastructure.

“We have remained consistent in our message to all levels of government, that thriving and resilient communities need good quality asset maintenance and replacement programs,” he said.

“The importance of long-term thinking when it comes to infrastructure assets must persist.”

IPWEA’s CEO, David Jenkins, said that IPWEA has welcomed the increase in the permanent Migration Program, which will be expanded to 195,000 in 2022–23, with more than 90% of new places to be dedicated to skilled migrants, and more than 25% intended to fill worker shortfalls in regional areas.

Specifically, the IPWEA wants to “see priority given to those skilled migrants who can work in local government and specifically those involved with managing infrastructure assets”.

Jenkins has welcomed the government’s apparent focus on renewing and upgrading bridges and local roads.

“Those concerned with making decisions regarding assets, need to consider budget allocation and maintenance in the context of intergenerational inequity,” he said. “We cannot hand neglected and unsafe assets to our children’s generation and beyond.”

“In addition, the pandemic created a sharp bifurcation in how people now expect to work, live and play,” Jenkins said.

“New assets will need to be designed and delivered with sufficient flexibility to allow for change of use over time, and current assets retrospectively fitted to suit the evolution of use.”

On the topic of the environment, Jenkins said that the IPWEA supports the government’s intentions to help the states and territories rebuild critical public infrastructure, but has called for the use of sustainable and “environmentally friendly materials (where possible) that will stand the test of time”.

“Local government at the end of the 2019–20 financial year controlled a $523 billion assets portfolio,” said Jenkins.

“Whilst pragmatism is the right choice given macro-economic factors, we must not forget the importance of people, capacity and capability when it comes to infrastructure.

“We need a considered and long-term view with infrastructure that will leave a legacy.”

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