Infrastructure – it’s about connection, progress and the machine behind society. In Australia, our infrastructure landscape is highly decentralised, with each state pursuing distinct priorities shaped by population growth, geography, and economic structure.

While the federal government provides overarching funding—such as through the Infrastructure Investment Program—states control most planning and delivery, resulting in noticeable disparities in investment levels, transport systems, and future readiness.

Over our 20+ years in business, Square Holes has played a key role in connecting the community to the infrastructure goals of the government. We have worked alongside the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and local government on projects that look at precinct development (Riverbank and regional), public transport, and the expansion of roads.

Throughout this work, the key theme of storytelling emerges over and over again. While communities generally understand the promise of infrastructure, they often feel left out of the direction. Most of the friction between the government and the community when it comes to infrastructure is due to a lack of investment in the narrative – what are we building towards and what does it say about what we prioritise as a nation?

When doing a comparison of the infrastructure goals of each state in the country, clear shared values arise – of livability, sustainability, economic growth, and connectability. Though investment varies from state to state, future strategies look to better connect rural areas to access, investment into digital connectivity, development of housing that links in with community, and building sustainable solutions to a rapidly growing population.

VICTORIA

Victoria is currently undergoing its largest-ever infrastructure expansion, often referred to as Victoria’s Big Build. This $90 billion transport investment is part of a broader 30-year state strategy to manage rapid population growth, which is projected to reach 11.5 million by 2055. Key focus areas include transforming transport with the Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel, Suburban Rail Loop, and removing 110 level crossings by 2030.

Key themes

Victoria’s Big Build: This initiative oversees over 180 major road and rail projects statewide.

Sustainability: Focus on developing infrastructure that considers environmental impact and the economy.

Growth Pressures: While major projects are underway, infrastructure challenges persist, particularly in the northern suburbs with school and health service capacity.

Digital Connectivity: Development of infrastructure to support the city’s growing digital economy.

SOUTH AUSTRAILIA

The South Australian Government is currently investing $27.3 billion into major infrastructure projects and transport services to support Adelaide’s growth and connectivity. Key developments include the massive North-South Corridor completion, hospital expansions, and public space upgrades.

Key themes

Economic growth: Specifically targeting a 3% annual growth rate – including expanding High Productivity Vehicle (HPV) networks to allow large freight to bypass the city centre,  and developing specialised infrastructure for high-growth industries like defence, space, and renewable energy.

Liveable city: Through delivering affordable, diverse housing near transit corridors and city employment hubs and prioritising “walking, wheeling, and cycling” over car dependency through projects like the North-South Bikeway.

Green City: Transitioning to net-zero by investing in electric vehicle (EV) bus fleets and hydrogen production hubs, and upgrading aged stormwater assets and flood mitigation systems to protect the city from extreme weather events.

Smart Infrastructure: Leveraging “Internet of Things” (IoT) sensors for traffic management and public safety, and expanding 5G and fibre networks to regional areas to ensure equitable access for all South Australians.

TASMANIA

A focus on productivity, resilience, and sustainability defines Infrastructure Tasmania’s current strategic approach, as the state manages a record pipeline of nearly $40 billion in 2026.

Key themes

Economic growth: Via investment into improving port capacity and “last-mile” freight connections at the Port of Burnie and Port of Devonport to strengthen export supply chains, and leveraging Tasmania’s natural resources through projects like Marinus Link and the Robbins Island Wind Farm to transition the state into a clean energy leader.

Liveability: Coordination between infrastructure and land use planning to ensure housing developments are supported by essential services like water, sewerage, and transport, plus ensuring that regional areas, such as the Cradle Coast and Northern Tasmania, have equitable access to modern road networks and public services.

Sustainable: Major planning is underway for the Hobart Rapid Bus Network and the decarbonisation of the metropolitan bus fleet with zero-emissions vehicles, as well as upgrades to ferry terminals and pedestrian infrastructure.

Private sector: $17 billion dollar investment in private sector works, with the 10-Year Infrastructure Pipeline Database acting as a tool for businesses to plan their own investments alongside public works.

NSW

The NSW Government has committed $111.5 billion over the next four years (2025–26 budget) to its infrastructure pipeline, with a strategic focus on transport, housing, and essential services like schools and hospitals.

Key themes

Unlock Housing Supply: Prioritising infrastructure that directly enables new housing growth.

Net Zero Transition: Planning for an orderly and efficient shift to renewable energy by 2050.

Service Growing Communities: Matching infrastructure to population growth, particularly in Western Sydney and regional areas.

Reliability and Resilience: Building assets that can withstand natural hazards, cyber threats, and public health crises.

Economic Productivity: Efficient transport and high-quality manufacturing precincts.

Data and Digital Technology: Using “digital twins” and data to improve asset management and service delivery.

Water Security: Enhancing long-term water supply through rainfall-independent sources and better demand management.

Integrated Planning: Ensuring land use, service planning, and infrastructure are aligned from the start.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Infrastructure in Western Australia (WA) is currently undergoing a massive expansion, driven by a record $38 billion pipeline over the next four years. The state’s investment strategy focuses on supporting population growth and transitioning to a decarbonised economy.

Key themes

Transport: Major road upgrades like the Tonkin Highway and regional road safety improvements.

Energy: Phasing out coal by 2030 and expanding renewable capacity through the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) Transmission Plan.

Health: Investing $3.7 billion over four years into hospitals and virtual monitoring services like HIVE.

Water & Waste: Improving water security and resource recovery across the state’s 10 regions.

Digital: Bridging the digital divide in regional areas and protecting critical systems from cyberattacks.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Northern Territory’s infrastructure landscape is governed by several core themes aimed at transforming it into a $40 billion economy by 2030.

Key themes

Strategic investment: Focusing on industries with high growth potential, such as critical minerals, renewable energy, and defence, moving away from isolated projects to “ecosystems”, and infrastructure is specifically targeted to unlock private sector investment in sectors like agribusiness and energy.

Connectivity: Enhancing road, rail, and marine links, with a focus on the Darwin Ship Lift and sealing strategic corridors like the Central Arnhem Road, establishing regional logistics hubs and improving flood immunity for national highways to prevent isolation during wet seasons, and reducing the digital divide between urban and remote areas and positioning Darwin as a digital hub through subsea cables and data centres.

Livability: Increasing housing supply through land releases in areas like Holtze and Kowandi and expanding remote housing programs, investing in hospital upgrades and regional schools to ensure equitable access to essential services and upgrading police, fire, and emergency services facilities, particularly in remote regions.

Sustainability: Embedding climate change adaptation into project designs and ensuring long-term water security (e.g., Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage), using local decision-making to ensure infrastructure meets the specific needs of regional and First Nations communities, and working with Traditional Owners to enable economic opportunities on their land while protecting cultural heritage and sacred sites.

While significant investment is underway across all regions, our research has proven that the success of these projects ultimately depends not just on delivery, but on engagement. Bridging the gap between government ambition and community understanding through stronger, clearer storytelling will be essential in shaping infrastructure that not only functions efficiently, but earns trust, reflects shared priorities, and helps communities feel part of the future being built around them. Because ultimately, infrastructure is never just about roads, rails or assets. It is a visible expression of what a society values, and the kind of future it chooses to create.

Square Holes is a cultural insight studio.

We design mixed method explorations of people and culture beyond the category,  uncovering the patterns, tensions and shifts shaping behaviour to inform strategy, inspire innovation and enable confident decisions. Our studio model brings together the right mix of thinkers, researchers and specialists for each exploration. If you’re navigating change, entering a new market, or seeking deeper understanding of people and culture, let’s start a conversation >