The government of Australian state New South Wales (NSW) has committed $9.5 million to develop the largest government-run autonomous vehicle testing site in the southern hemisphere, according to the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA).

The investment will upgrade The Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre, a small former airport facility outside Cudal in central NSW. Improvements will include construction of an intersection and another kilometer of tarmac road. Office infrastructure for additional company technology testing is planned.

The funding will also support a $1 million master plan to turn the facility into an autonomous vehicle connected city.

The investment aims to place NSW at the forefront of future driverless car technology in Australia, explained Minster for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway, according to AfMA.

“We’re going to have the best facility around autonomous vehicle technology and testing in the southern hemisphere,” predicted Farraway.