Resolve backlogs in Northern Aust: audit

The first audit into the infrastructure of northern Australia has stressed the need to fix problems in existing areas, especially roads.

The Infrastructure Australia report, released by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Cairns on Friday, will help inform the government's white paper, due to be released in June.

Critical to the development of the region as it grows over the next 15 years is maximising the efficiency of existing programs, the audit said.

Key areas include addressing roads maintenance and introducing more cost-reflective pricing where possible, especially in the water sector.

Roads used by the cattle industry in all three northern states could benefit from better flood proofing, while linking northern and eastern gas markets through a pipeline would provide significant economic benefits.

The audit foreshadowed the need for water supply upgrades and other improvement in areas such as Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton, as the cities grow.

The importance of conducting a cost-benefit analysis and having communities and the private sector driving decisions to ensure they meet the needs of infrastructure users, were also identified.

Chairman Mark Birrell hoped the release will better equip governments in planning for the future.

"There is enormous potential to further capitalise on existing economic assets, and for the region to contribute even more to Australia's development," he said.

The upcoming white paper, partly informed by the audit, is not just going to be a document for the next month or year, Mr Abbott told reporters.

"It's going to be a document that outlines a plan for Northern Australia for decades to come."