Strong Plan delivers brighter future for Townsville region

The 2014-15 State Budget continues to deliver a strong plan for a brighter future for all of Queensland, including the Townsville 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 that we know our regions are going to need.

“This year’s budget includes a capital spend of almost $680 million in the Townsville region alone.

“We’re also providing almost $28 million for local government recovery and reconstruction projects in the region in partnership with the Federal Government.”

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

“The Townsville region will benefit from $41.2 million towards the Townsville Hospital Expansion and $10.4 million to complete the Townsville Medium Secure Rehabilitation Unit,” he said.

“Medical research will also receive a boost with $14.3 million provided towards the establishment of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University.

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

“We’re also spending almost $8 million to help Townsville region schools prepare for the transition of Year 7 into high school next year and more than $850,000 to complete works on replacement of air-conditioning at Kirwan State High School.”

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 $1 million towards a replacement water catamaran, $700,000 to upgrade cameras at the Townsville Watch House and $120,000 for a trial policing hub in the city.

“We’re also spending $5.8 million to refurbish the Harold Gregg Unit at the Townsville Correctional Centre.”

The Queensland Government is also significantly investing in the economic capacity of Townsville.

“More than $140 million in joint Federal and State funding is allocated to Townsville’s road network in this budget,” he said.

“This includes an $80.4 million commitment to the Townsville Ring Road and $66 million to widen the Bruce Highway south of Townsville.

“In total, we’re spending $768 million to improve the Bruce Highway.

“We are also providing $12 million this year to improve access to the Townsville Ocean Terminal.

“And we’re protecting one of the region’s most important assets, with $8.4 million provided to the Great Barrier Reef Field Management Program.

“In total the Government is spending $55 million on the Reef Water Quality Program.”

Mr Nicholls said the State Budget also invested in important local infrastructure projects, including:

• $160,000 to the Townsville City Council to complete the redevelopment of the scoreboard at Tony Ireland Stadium
• $2 million to the Burdekin Shire Council to complete the Cyclone shelter
• $2.5 million to complete the replacement auxiliary fire and rescue station at Ingham
• $1.6 million grant for the development of the Upper Ross Community Neighbourhood Centre.

“The budget is another step forward in the Government’s positive plan for the state,” he said.

“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.”

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Media Contact – Treasurer’s Office 07 3719 7200