Progress on Accelerated Works Program projects

Almost 100 projects under the Palaszczuk Government’s Accelerated Works Program (AWP) across regional Queensland have been completed with a further 36 under construction.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told State Parliament today the Accelerated Works Program, launched earlier this year, was supporting local economies and bringing forward employment opportunities in regional areas that are experiencing subdued economic conditions.

“We have identified more than $440 million worth of capital works projects that are already funded through the State Budget and are being brought forward to commence earlier than planned,” the Premier said.

“We estimate these projects will support up to 950 jobs.”

“The projects that have been completed and those now under construction will support more than 600 jobs across Queensland when fully completed,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The bulk of these jobs are in the Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and the outback and Fitzroy regions.

The completed projects include:

• Townsville Port Road train decoupling pad;
• Alligator Creek Road to Allendale Drive overtaking lane;
• school maintenance works at the North Rockhampton State High School; and
• re-purposing and refurbishment of classrooms at the Mackay West and Proserpine State Schools.

Some of the 36 projects that are now under construction include:

• Port of Townsville Berth 4 upgrade
• Hervey’s Range Road widening and wide centre line treatment
• Arnot Creek Bridge upgrade; and
• Cairns Special School.

 “I am pleased to report that various Queensland Government departments and Government Owned Corporations are also continuing to see a steady ramping up of expenditure which is great news for these regions considering the jobs this program is supporting,” the Premier said.

“Further projects are continuing to progress through their design phases and most of the remaining projects are expected to start construction by December this year.”

In the 2016-17 State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government allocated an increased capital works budget of $10.7 billion supporting 31,000 jobs.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0417 263 791