The Government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia is planning to divest its remaining stake in the WestConnex motorway project to fund other infrastructure works.

The move follows the sale of a 51% stake in Sydney Motorway (SMC), the entity that is building WestConnex, in September 2018.

The deal brought in A$9.26bn, which was used to fund the M4 – M5 Link, the final stage of WestConnex and other infrastructure works. Remaining proceeds were invested into the NSW Generations Fund (NGF).

The government will appoint advisers to conduct the scoping study to assess the feasibility of the planned divestment. The report is expected to be handed over to the state in the second half of this year.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said: “The scoping study will look at all the available options and we will only proceed if there is clear evidence that doing so would be in the best interest of the people of NSW.

“Our priority is providing the schools, hospitals, roads and rail NSW needs. The government’s asset recycling strategy has enabled us to do that and create tens of thousands of jobs in the process.”

The government also added that any future transaction will have no impact on the construction, operation and tolling of WestConnex.

The WestConnex project is aimed at improving connectivity in Sydney. The motorway will reduce journey times between Parramatta and Sydney Airport, as well as between Burwood and Sydney Airport.

In 2060, the state will retrieve the operating rights of WestConnex.

Earlier this week, the NSW Government started penalising motorists for using mobile phones while driving.