Palaszczuk Government delivers third year of record road and transport infrastructure investment

The Palaszczuk Government’s Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2018-19 to 2021-22 released today delivers $21.7 billion of investment over the next four years.

The announcement marks three consecutive years the Palaszczuk Government has delivered a record investment in road and transport infrastructure, with the funding total higher than the previous QTRIP by more than $700 million.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the investment would deliver better public and active transport and upgraded roads and marine infrastructure for Queenslanders and also support on average about 19,200 direct jobs, across the State, over the next four years. 

“We are committed to continuing to deliver record investment, building our roads network, boosting productivity, future proofing the state, creating jobs and fostering economic growth,” Mr Bailey said.

“Compared to last year, funding from the Federal LNP government has decreased from $8.1 billion to $7.6 billion (6.2% reduction), however this has been offset by a 10% increase in the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment. 

“In fact, the $700 million increase to QTRIP is 100% thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s increased investment. 

“This year’s budget consolidates our focus and commitment to support communities and to continue delivering regional infrastructure.

“It demonstrates our commitment to the busiest road in Queensland, the M1, with almost $900 million committed to upgrades and planning between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, and

Eight Miles Plains and Daisy Hill, following on from the two upgrades underway already.

“It also shows our ongoing commitment to upgrading the Bruce Highway, with a range of projects planned or underway all the way from South East to Far North Queensland.

“Importantly we are also ensuring that work on the vitally important Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade can get underway, with a $160.8 million commitment.

“And in response to the significant impact caused by recent weather events like Cyclone Debbie, $76.8 million has been allocated in 2018-19 to continue with vital restoration works.”

Mr Bailey said the 2018-19 State Budget re-confirmed the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) after the previous LNP government gutted the program.

“We’ve continued our funding boost to local governments through TIDS to fund the development of local transport related infrastructure, with $280 million allocated over the next four years.

“We’re also injecting $20 million into school transport infrastructure through the new School Transport Infrastructure Program. Like TIDS, this program will run as a partnership with local councils, matching funding for school transport projects on a 50:50 split.”

The Palaszczuk Government has also invested more than $300 million to improve Queensland’s passenger transport infrastructure in this year’s budget.

The funding, contained in the Passenger Transport Infrastructure Investment Program (PTIIP), is in addition to significant investment in major public transport projects like Cross River Rail, station accessibility upgrades, and park ‘n’ ride expansions.

Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to active transport continued, with works that provided a positive impact on congestion, health and the environment.

“Cycling projects include the Veloway 1 (Stage E) cycleway from Birdwood Road to Gaza Road, the North Brisbane Bikeway (Stages 2, 3 and 4) and the New England Highway Cycleway in Toowoomba,” he said.

Mr Bailey said the budget highlighted the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to key road, rail and public transport projects right across the state, including:

Major roads projects

• $1.606 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project (Darling Downs)

• $1.143 billion Gateway Motorway North project (Brisbane)

• $812.9 million Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway project (Sunshine Coast)

• $749 million Pacific Motorway (Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill) (Logan)

• $514.3 million Haughton River Floodplain (North Queensland)

• $497.4 million Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1) (North Queensland)

• $481 million Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Edmonton to Gordonvale, Stage 3) (Far North Queensland)

• $400 million Ipswich Motorway (Rocklea to Darra (Stage 1) (Brisbane)

• $197.5 million Pacific Motorway (Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes) (Gold Coast)

• $190 million Pacific/Gateway Motorway merge (Logan)

• $189.3 million Peak Downs Highway Eton Range realignment (North Queensland)

• $152 million Smithfield Bypass Cairns (Far North Queensland)

• $121 million Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade (Stage 1) (Central Queensland)

• $104 million Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Kate Street to Aumuller Street, Stage 4) (Far North Queensland)

• $75 million Capricorn Highway duplication (Rockhampton – Gracemere) (Central Queensland)

• $65 million Centenary Motorway/Sumners Road interchange (Brisbane)

Rail projects

• $160.8 million in Queensland Government funding towards the Beerburrum to Nambour Upgrade

• $21.9 million to continue the capacity upgrade of the North Coast rail line between Townsville and Rockhampton, which will increase the productivity and efficiency of freight transport along this important corridor

• $21.5 million allocated to continue slope stabilisation, track and tunnel upgrades along the Toowoomba and Liverpool Ranges to improve rail freight for the South West regions of Queensland

• $4.1 million to reinstate the Yeppoon Branch Line

• Continuation of the $300 million Station Accessibility Upgrade program to progress detailed designs and start early works for Auchenflower, Cannon Hill, Albion, East Ipswich, Fairfield, Dakabin, Loganlea and Buranda stations, and to commence major construction at Morayfield, Strathpine and Boondall stations

• $8.2 million will finalise the accessibility upgrades of Southbank station

• $12.4 million in 2018-19 to start work on park ‘n’ ride upgrades at Geebung, Springfield, Lindum, Darra, Salisbury Virginia and Lawnton stations

• $14.7 million to continue planning of works at Brisbane’s Central station, which will include platform raising, new lifts and escalators to the platforms, and new escalators at the outer concourse to Anzac Square

Public transport projects

• $53 million for the Northern Transitway project to deliver bus priority measures along Gympie Arterial Road between Sadlier Street and Hamilton Road

• $22 million for the Eastern Transitway project to improve bus priority measures and upgrade five major intersections on Old Cleveland Road

• $88.6 million to provide extra car spaces at Geebung, Virginia, Lindum, Lawnton, Darra, Springfield Central and Salisbury rail stations

• $25.5 million to deliver extra car spaces at the Greenbank and Eight Mile Plains bus station park ‘n’ rides

Media Contact: Carmel Robertson, 0439 347 875