Government project delays cost $24m a day

The new Intercity train fleet will cost $1.1 billion more than anticipated, the implementation of the Opal card ticketing system is $63 million extra than first forecast and the Tibby Cotter Bridge above Anzac Pde is $28 million over budget.

The drilling rig moves the first loads of earth earth on the WestConnex tunnells. Federal Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher and NSW Minister for Roads Duncan Gay in Concord at the first sod turning of for the first WestConnex tunnels. Picture: John Appleyard

COST blowouts for major NSW government projects are costing taxpayers $24 million a day — which could build 20 new hospitals or 304 new schools.

The state government is desperately clawing for federal health and education funding. A total of 15 projects funded by the state government are well over budget, adding up to more than $8.8 billion in blowouts.

The WestConnex motorway is tipped to cost $6.8 billion more than forecast.

The new Intercity train fleet will cost $1.1 billion more than anticipated, the implementation of the Opal card ticketing system is $63 million extra than first forecast and the Tibby Cotter Bridge above Anzac Pde is $28 million over budget.

A new computer admin system for schools has blown out by $93 million.

Opposition treasury spokesman Ryan Park said the blowouts shed new light on why the state government had been lobbying the federal government to reverse $80 billion in cuts to health and education funding.

“Baird’s budget blowouts are costing NSW taxpayers $24 million a day”

“Baird’s budget blowouts are costing NSW taxpayers $24 million a day and this means NSW residents are forced to go without much needed hospitals and schools because of financial mismanagement under this government,” he said.

“The Auditor-General has already made it clear that the management of major projects needs to improve and it’s about time Mike Baird listened to this advice and get these costs under control.”

NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian has accused the Opposition of cherrypicking figures and misleading the public.

“Labor delivered no substantial infrastructure when in government and it has proved in Opposition they either don’t understand infrastructure delivery or are happy to mislead the public,” Ms Berejiklian said.

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“These cherrypicked figures from Labor do not paint an accurate picture of the success this government is having delivering infrastructure on time and on budget.”

Ms Berejiklian said the South West Rail Link was delivered a year ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget, and the Sydney Metro Northwest was on its way to be completed in 2019 under budget.

The drilling rig moves the first loads of earth on the WestConnex tunnels. Picture: John Appleyard

The WestConnex motorway is tipped to cost $6.8 billion more than forecast / Picture: John Appleyard

She said any changes to the scope of major projects were only approved if they gave taxpayers value for money.

“The value of WestConnex has risen because of additions and enhancements to this critical piece of infrastructure which followed extensive community consultation,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This includes realigning the part of WestConnex which will link the M4 with the M5 so in the future it can connect to the Western Harbour Tunnel (Sydney’s second road tunnel under the harbour).”