Why Does Infrastructure in Australia Cost So Damn Much

I've been asking this question to myself a lot over the last few years. Someone proposes a new rail line - awesome I think to myself - but then I look at the cost. Multiple billions of dollars per kilometer of underground rail line. Seriously, 'billion', with a 'B'. The budget for NASA last year way about $17 Billion. So for a few km's of metro, we could space program the size of NASA.

Thankfully, calmer minds than mine are discussing the problem over at Alan Davies blog, The Urbanist. In a two part examination of rail costs and general infrastructure costs. Check them out, very interesting and worthwhile reading.

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2012/02/15/why-do-subways-cost-so-much-to-build-here-than-elsewhere/#more-14193

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/theurbanist/2012/02/16/why-is-infrastructure-so-bloody-expensive/#more-14231