Baird welcomes Turnbull's cities plan

Malcolm Turnbull's "innovative" $50 million infrastructure plan to boost growth in cities across Australia has been welcomed by NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Mr Baird says it's the first time the federal government has looked at Australian cities holistically, through its Smart Cities project announced by the prime minister on Friday.

"There's clear intent from the federal government to come alongside the state government and deliver infrastructure," he told reporters in Gosford on the Central Coast.

A team of experts within the government, known as the infrastructure financing unit, will work with state and local governments and the private sector to find new ways to fund road and public transport projects.

The premier says he wants to see details of the project but the idea is "positive".