Project Governance Framework

On this page

• Overview
• Purpose of the framework
• How it works
• Governance structure
• Roles and responsibilities
• ACT Government representation
• Governance principles
• Meeting minutes and outcomes

Overview

Infrastructure Canberra’s Project Governance Framework ensures infrastructure projects are well planned, approved, delivered and monitored. It sets clear roles and responsibilities, promotes accountability in decision-making, and supports collaboration across government.

The framework improves how we manage risks, coordinate efforts, and deliver infrastructure that meets the needs of the Canberra community.

Purpose of the framework

The Project Governance Framework provides a consistent structure for overseeing infrastructure projects. It helps Infrastructure Canberra:

• support informed and transparent decision-making
• strengthen project oversight and performance monitoring
• improve coordination across directorates and stakeholders
• drive continuous improvement in how infrastructure is delivered.

How it works

The framework supports infrastructure projects through several key tools and processes:

• a tier assessment to determine how each project should be managed based on size and risk
• a structured Project Delivery Framework that provides guidance from procurement through to delivery
• alignment with The Capital Framework, the ACT Government’s policy for managing capital investments
• integration with the Infrastructure Investment Lifecycle, which supports planning, funding, delivery and review.

Governance structure

Infrastructure Canberra uses a tiered governance model to oversee projects. This includes:

• Program Boards for four focus areas:
  • Transport and Civil
  • Health, Justice and Emergency Services
  • Education and Arts
  • Housing and Community
• Project Control Groups, which support day-to-day project coordination
• The Board of Engineering Excellence, which provides strategic engineering advice
• The ACT Government Cabinet and Ministers, who make final decisions on funding and policy direction

Each project follows a governance structure that suits its size and complexity.

Roles and responsibilities

The following groups support project governance at different levels:

Cabinet and Ministers

• make investment and funding decisions
• approve business cases, delivery strategies and project objectives
• carry overall accountability for the use of public funds.

Program Boards

• advise on project planning, delivery, risks and strategy
• review key documents before they are submitted to Cabinet or Ministers
• include senior leaders from multiple ACT Government directorates

Board of Engineering Excellence

• provides expert engineering advice to government
• promotes innovation and best practices across projects and industry
• offers input on workforce planning and professional development.

Project Control Groups

• coordinate project planning, delivery, performance and risk
• support project teams with operational and technical advice
• enable collaboration across directorates and stakeholders.

ACT Government representation

Each Program Board includes senior representatives from across the ACT Government. These members are Director-General or executive-level leaders who provide strategic input and ensure alignment between agencies on major infrastructure priorities.

Transport and Civil

Health, Justice and Emergency Services

Education and the Arts

Housing and Community

Governance principles

The Project Governance Framework is built on five key principles:

1. Accountability

• clear and transparent decision-making
• documented processes for approvals and escalations
• regular reporting to support informed decisions.

2. Clarity of roles

• defined responsibilities for all board and group members
• responsibility matrices included in Terms of Reference.

3. Clear rules for delivery

• well-defined guidance and approval criteria
• alignment with legislation, standards and project goals.

4. Communication and reporting

• standardised reporting tools such as dashboards and updates
• regular briefings to Cabinet, Ministers and stakeholders
• annual reviews to support continuous improvement.

5. The right people at the table

• strategic appointment of board members with relevant expertise
• cross-government representation to support alignment
• stakeholder engagement through working groups and user forums.

Meeting minutes and outcomes

Infrastructure Canberra is committed to transparency in how we plan and deliver infrastructure.

We publish summaries of outcomes from key project board meetings.