Government reaffirms commitment to record roads funding for Queensland

Published Thursday, 20 April, 2017 at 08:59 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million commitment to the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade from Rocklea to Darra Stage 1 is part of a record $20 billion in road and transport infrastructure over four years across Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Government’s 50% share of the cost of the $400 million Ipswich Motorway was part of its Queensland Transport and Road Investment Program (QTRIP) announced in the 2016-17 State Budget.

“My Government knows the importance of road and transport infrastructure for moving people and goods across our growing and decentralised State,” she said.

“This is the largest ever QTRIP and will support more than 15,900 jobs.”

Under QTRIP joint State-Commonwealth funded projects: 

  • Toowoomba Range Crossing - $1.6 billion
  • Gateway Upgrade North - $1.162 billion
  • Bruce Highway upgrade program - $8.5 billion
  • Townsville Ring Road - $200 million
  • Ipswich Motorway (Rocklea to Darra) Stage 1 - $400 million towards
  • Gregory Developmental Road, including Cape River Bridge - $76.9 million

100% funded by the Queensland Government include:

  • Commonwealth Games Roads Package - $160.7 million
  • Duplication of Riverway Drive in Townsville, from Gollogly Lane to Allambie Lane -  $30 million
  • Western Roads Upgrade Program - $40 million
  • Transport and Tourism Connections program - $10 million

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was delivering $15.2 billion in planned investment in road infrastructure over the next four years, supporting an estimated 12,000 direct jobs

“The Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to QTRIP is in stark contrast to the Newman-Nicholls Government that slashed QTRIP funding by nearly $1.6 billion,” Mr Bailey said.

“Roads funding alone was cut by $600 million which meant road infrastructure projects stalled across Queensland. They even gutted road maintenance provider RoadTek, cutting 700 jobs.”

“Only the Palaszczuk Government is serious about delivering road infrastructure across the state.”

Media contact: Geoff Breusch (Premier’s office) 0417 272 875

                           Zoe Russell (Minister’s office) 0428 079 640