Billions of dollars worth of new roads, homes and renewable energy projects could blow out in cost or be delayed years as the nation faces a shortage of 300,000 workers to build vital infrastructure.

A $29 billion jump in the value of the nation’s major infrastructure pipeline, driven in part by new housing and energy projects, has prompted concern that regionals may miss out on a renewed lift in public and private spending.

Major projects such as Melbourne’s Metro are coming to an end - but new ones have increased the pipeline of public works to $242 billion. Credit: Jason South

Federal agency Infrastructure Australia on Thursday said there was now $242 billion in public projects planned over the next five years with another $760 billion expected to be delivered by the private sect

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