A new bypass and more jobs for Beaudesert

Beaudesert businesses and families are set to benefit from Queensland Government funding for a new bypass that will create jobs and rejuvenate the town centre.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney announced in Parliament today that the State Government had identified the first three projects to be funded under its Priority Development Infrastructure program.

“We promised at the election to provide better infrastructure and planning in regional Queensland to help build thriving communities where people want to live and work – and that’s what we are delivering,” Mr Seeney said.

“Our Priority Development Infrastructure (PDI) Co-investment Program will see the State Government co-invest in start-up projects such as road, water supply, sewerage and stormwater infrastructure that will enable councils to attract investment to get associated developments off the ground.

“We recognised we needed to work with councils and the private sector to get projects moving – projects to provide the catalytic infrastructure that would support development and create jobs.

“In the Beaudesert region we will partner with Scenic Rim Regional Council, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Mirvac and Eureka Funds Management to fund the Beaudesert Town Bypass.

“We believe that this investment will be the catalyst for the development of the Bromelton Industrial Estate – a major transport and logistics hub – and will also support future redevelopment of the Beaudesert CBD.”

The Beaudesert Town Bypass is a key project in the ongoing development of the 15,000 hectare Bromelton State Development Area, about six kilometres west of the Beaudesert township.

Member for Beaudesert Jon Krause welcomed today’s commitment from the Deputy Premier.

“This project has been talked about for 30 to 40 years and it’s taken the Queensland LNP government to deliver this historic decision for Beaudesert,” Mr Krause said.

“I’m very excited about what the bypass will mean for the development of Beaudesert town, as it gets heavy vehicles out of the main street and will encourage a far more visitor-friendly precinct for locals and visitors to the town.

“The project will also boost development in the Bromelton State Development Area and other areas around Beaudesert, attracting businesses and jobs to the region.”

Scenic Rim Mayor John Brent said the bypass would herald a new era of economic growth for Beaudesert.

“This is without doubt the beginning of a new era of economic growth and an historic day for Beaudesert and the Scenic Rim,” Cr Brent said.

“The bypass will enhance road safety, service the growing freight demands of the region and will allow council to progress the revitalisation of the Beaudesert town centre.

“I thank the State Government, particularly the Premier and Deputy Premier, for not only today’s commitment but also their continuing support for the growth and development of the Scenic Rim.”

Mr Seeney said that over the past few months Economic Development Queensland had been working with councils to identify projects in their regions that will deliver significant flow-on benefits for the community.

“By supporting Priority Development Infrastructure projects in places like Beaudesert, we are giving local governments and the private sector the confidence to invest in infrastructure that will grow regional economies,” Mr Seeney said.

“The co-investments we are making will be recovered from these new developments and will, in turn, be rolled into future catalytic infrastructure projects that will provide jobs, business opportunities across Queensland.”

Further information on the Priority Development Infrastructure program available at: www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/pdi

[ENDS] 16 October 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744