A guide to stages of project development in Australia

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infrastructure, planning,

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Developing infrastructure in Australia is a multi-stage process designed to ensure that projects are well-planned, cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

Below is a quick guide to key stages of project developement:

First announcements of Government intent or commitment

At this point, the Government has recognised a need and made an initial commitment to addressing it. While it’s still too early to confirm exact costs or timelines—since the project scope is under development—there is valuable information available about the issue, possible solutions, and the Government’s intention to deliver a resolution.

Strategic options / Strategic business case

At this stage, several options have been identified and assessed, but additional work is required to determine the preferred solution, refine the scope, and establish the delivery approach. Planning and environmental consultations are still underway and may influence the final options. Cost estimates and timelines are currently indicative and should be considered broad approximations.

Preferred Option / Detailed Planning

Further investigations narrow down the best option. Environmental, technical, and planning considerations are assessed. This includes community consultation and early engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Final business case / Investment decision

A Final Business Case outlines the preferred solution for a project, including estimated costs, benefits, and delivery method. It provides the basis for a government investment decision, often reflected in the State Budget.

While it enables funding commitments, some steps like site investigations, detailed design, and environmental consultations may still be underway. Final budgets and timelines are subject to confirmation through further planning and tendering. For large, complex projects, the government may defer final approval until environmental processes are complete to ensure accurate cost estimates.

Planning Application

At this stage, statutory planning documents and environmental impact assessments are released for public feedback. These focus on potential effects on the community, heritage, and environment. They also include details on project concepts, designs, and cost estimates—largely drawn from the Final Business Case, with some updates from additional work completed during the environmental assessment process.

Procurement

At this stage, designs are well developed and initial site investigations have usually been done. The scope and delivery method are clear, and the project is ready to begin the contractor selection process. Planning approvals are underway, and the results may still affect the project’s scope and timeline. Cost and schedule estimates are more accurate now, but they could still change based on tender responses and remaining risks.

Contract Award

At this stage, a contractor has been chosen to deliver the project. While the contract is in place, some details may still be worked out as the project progresses. Planning approval has usually been granted, including community input and consent conditions. Most projects still require more design work, and some costs may be refined along the way. Even with fixed-price contracts, certain risks—like unknown ground conditions—can only be uncovered once work begins.

Construction / Delivery

The project is built according to approved plans. This stage involves project management, stakeholder communication, and quality control.

Readiness for Service

The project is nearly complete and ready for use, with final costs and timelines mostly confirmed. However, some contractual claims and defects may still need to be resolved, and the exact opening date will depend on final testing and commissioning.

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