Canadian giant Brookfield has swooped on power grid owner AusNet Services with a $9.6 billion offer, swelling the feeding frenzy among overseas and local investors on infrastructure assets offering predictable long-term returns.

The $2.50 per share cash offer, representing a 26 per cent premium, came as Transurban snapped up the remaining 49 per cent stake in Sydney’s newest motorway WestConnex in an $11.1 billion deal. The Charter Hall, backed by industry super fund Hostplus, also struck a $1.7 billion deal on Monday to buy listed pubs landlord ALE Property Group.