Strong Plan delivers brighter future for Brisbane region

The 2014-15 State Budget continues to deliver a strong plan for a brighter future for all of Queensland, including the Brisbane region.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the budget outlined the Government’s plan to secure Queensland’s finances by making the strongest and smartest choice to reduce debt.

“It carefully balances increases in education, health and community services spending, while not raising taxes or reducing services,” Mr Nicholls said.

“We are also making the strongest and smartest choice to secure our finances so we can reduce debt and reinvest funds into the schools, hospitals and infrastructure we know our regions are going to need.

“This year’s budget includes a capital spend of more than $2.2 billion in the Brisbane region alone.”

Mr Nicholls said the Queensland Government was delivering a record $13.6 billion health budget, an increase of 6 per cent from last year.

“In the Brisbane region we’re spending almost $225 million this year to complete the construction of the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital and a further $30.7 million towards the Centre for Children’s Health Research to attract and retain specialists,” he said.

“We’re also investing in research and preventative medicine, with a $2.5 million commitment to the University of Queensland for the establishment of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia.

“We’re allocating 761 additional teachers and teacher aides state-wide as part of the total $11.8 billion education budget.

“We’re also spending almost $50 million to prepare Brisbane schools for the transition of Year 7 into high school next year.”

Mr Nicholls said the 2014-15 Budget provided for 267 new police officers across the state.

“We said we’d revitalise frontline services and we’re delivering on that promise,” he said.

“The budget includes a $72.4 million commitment to the Government Wireless Network to connect thousands of police, ambulance, fire and emergency officers to the one secure digital network for the first time.

“It also provides $2.3 million to commence a refurbishment of the Forensic Service facility at Police Headquarters and $3 million for a second police helicopter service to be based at Archerfield.

“The budget also includes $44.5 million in funding for the Safe Night Out Strategy, Australia’s most comprehensive action plan to stamp out alcohol and drug related violence.”

The 2014-15 Budget also invests in Brisbane’s road and public transport infrastructure.

“The budget includes $28.7 million for the construction of the new third rail track between Lawnton and Petrie stations and $12.2 million towards the construction of a new cycleway at Greenslopes,” Mr Nicholls said.

“We’re spending $38 million in partnership with the Federal Government to widen the Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road in Mansfield and on the upgrade of Pacific Motorway interchange at Eight Mile Plains.

“The State Government will also spend $41.1 million to widen the Centenary motorway in conjunction with the Legacy Way project and the Moggill Road interchange upgrade.

“The State Budget invests in the future of the four pillars of the Queensland economy.

“In tourism, for example, we’re doing our bit to attract major events by spending $3.8 million towards the 2015 Asian Football Cup and we’re also investing $15.7 million in sporting infrastructure to prepare Brisbane for its part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

Mr Nicholls said the budget was another step forward in the Government’s positive plan for the state.

“We are making significant progress in restoring our finances, growing a four pillar economy, revitalising frontline services and funding infrastructure projects,” he said.

“But to sustain this we must reduce debt so we can truly keep building on our strong plan for a brighter future.”

[ENDS] 3 June 2014

Media Contact – Treasurer’s Office 07 3719 7200