Pipeline of major projects on the rise

Published Thursday, 24 May, 2018 at 01:56 PM

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

The Queensland Government has welcomed the release today of the Queensland Major Projects Pipeline Report which shows a significant rise in major project work in the state.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said major project work had risen by 58 per cent in 2017–18, with activity in 2018–19 forecast at a similar level.

“While the report says maintaining this momentum may be a challenge, I’m confident our upcoming Budget’s $45 billion of infrastructure over the next four years, plus our other job-supporting initiatives, will be the stimulus needed to keep the economy on the up,” Mr Dick said.

“We will continue to develop projects that will reduce congestion and improve safety on vital parts of our road network, and better connect our regional centres.

“I note the report highlights lower levels of private sector investment than in previous years, and that’s why the Queensland Government remains committed to infrastructure investment.

“With $10.17 billion allocated to the 2017–18 capital program, plus the $45 billion over four years in next month’s State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government is all about investing in infrastructure and attracting more investment to the state.

“Capital investment over the four-year forward estimates period is up $2 billion on last year’s Budget, and almost five times what the Federal Government is investing in our state’s infrastructure,” Mr Dick said.

The Queensland Major Projects Pipeline Report is jointly produced by the Queensland Major Contractors Association, Construction Skills Queensland and the Infrastructure Association of Queensland, with the assistance of BIS Oxford Economics.

Mr Dick said the Queensland Government was already actioning many of the initiatives suggested in the report to boost funding capability and infrastructure delivery.

“We’re doing this through our Maturing the Infrastructure Pipeline Program and through Building Queensland, which provides independent and expert advice to the Government on infrastructure projects,” Mr Dick said.

“The Government is providing increased certainty of long-term Commonwealth funding streams and we continue to explore the potential for a South East Queensland Regional City Deal, following on from the Townsville City Deal being signed in December 2016.

“We have also recently announced $897 million for M1 upgrades between Varsity Lakes and Tugun and between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill. Half of this funding will be spent between 2018 and 2022, ensuring work can start as soon as possible.

‘‘There will be a rolling program of works that will enable the M1 to be progressively upgraded.  The benefits will include reduced journey times, greater reliability and jobs for people in the road construction industry.

“The Program Monitoring and Reporting Unit within my department will continue to lead efforts across government to improve the effectiveness of government commitments to infrastructure investment in Queensland.”

Media contact: Catherine Palmer 0424 823 424