The 2019-20 Queensland budget has made a record $23 billion investment into transport infrastructure over the next four years.
Treasurer Jackie Trad said the budget was unashamedly focussed on regional Queensland.
“I do so because Queensland is the most decentralised state in the federation. A state that relies – more than any other – on the strength of its regional cities and towns,” Trad said.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said more than $14.5 billion of the $23 billion transport infrastructure allocation would be spent outside Brisbane City, Ipswich City and Redland City local government areas.
“Regional Queensland is the big winner in this infrastructure budget because Queensland’s regional towns and cities are the engine room of our state’s economy,” Bailey said.
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“When our regions thrive, Queensland thrives, so this budget will ensure tens of thousands of jobs are created in the regions, supporting their population growth and economic development.”
Some of the the major funding for road projects include $1.03 billion for widening on the Pacific Motorway between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, $1 billion for the Gateway Motorway extension between Bracken Ridge and Pine River, and $1 billion for the Bruce Highway from Cooroy to Curra.
$812.9 million was also allocated to widen the Bruce Highway, from four lanes to six, between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway, and upgrading interchanges at Caloundra Road and Sunshine Motorway. $749 million was included for motorway widening and busway extension along the Pacific Motorway between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill.
Rail projects also received $4.156 billion for the New Generation Rollingstock project, $634.4 million for European Train Control System – Inner City implementation, $298.2 million for upgrading or improving station accessibility at 11 train stations, and $120 million for three new railway stations associated with the Cross River Rail project on the Gold Coast.
The budget also provides funding for public transport infrastructure project, including $250 million for the Inner Northern Busway at Roma Street Station, $53 million for construction of the Northern Transitway project, and $22 million for the Eastern Transitway project.