Budget delivers more record transport spending for Far North Queensland

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering $253.3 million of road infrastructure in 2018-19 alone for Far North Queensland.

While announcing a $3 million bus stop upgrade at the Raintrees Shopping Centre in Manunda, Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said this year’s Budget invested record amounts in transport for our growing state.

“Our investment in Far North Queensland will help bust congestion - we don’t want Queenslanders sitting in traffic when they can be at work or home with their kids,” she said.

“Building the roads and rail networks we need supports Queensland jobs today and a strong economy of the future.

“In Cairns, that means we’re getting on with delivering the critical Smithfield Bypass which I know is a massive win for local motorists.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the region was a beneficiary of the blockbuster roads budget being delivered under the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP).

“The funding for the Far North is part of the Queensland Government’s record spend on road and transport infrastructure across the state for the third year running, with an investment of about $21.7 billion over the next four years,” Mr Bailey said.

“This will include $1.174 billion of works planned just for this area alone, over the next four years.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the upgrade at Raintrees would provide a modern facility for commuters, safer access to services and improved bus service reliability.

“This upgrade on Koch Street will combine two existing stops into a single kerbside platform area that features two shelters for added weather protection,” Mr Healy said.

“It will also better promote shopping centre connections, be more accessible to bus patrons and enable easier transfer between services.

“This is wonderful news for local commuters who will benefit from this new and improved bus stop.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said this budget showed the commitment to delivering key infrastructure and creating jobs for the people of Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s investment in roads, rail, marine, passenger transport and active transport infrastructure is estimated to support about 19,200 direct jobs, on average, over the life of the four-year program,” she said.

Speaker of the Queensland Parliamentand Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said he was pleased to see the Palaszczuk Government was investing heavily in transport infrastructure across the Far North.

“The upgrades particularly to the south of Cairns willgreatly benefit motorists who commute to and from the city for work,” he said.

“This budget is great news for the people of Far North Queensland.”

 Projects funded for Far North Queensland in the Budget include -  

-     Starting construction of a $104.1 million (2018-19 $28.3 million) project to widen the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes between Kate Street and Aumuller Street (Stage 4), immediately south of Cairns.

-     Starting construction of the $152 million (2018-19 $17.5 million) Smithfield Bypass Project, which will significantly improve safety and traffic flow between McGregor Road and Yorkeys Knob Road roundabouts.

-     Starting procurement for a $481 million (2018-19 $15.2 million) project to duplicate the Bruce Highway from two to four lanes between Edmonton and Gordonvale (Stage 3).

-     Continuing sealing works on the Peninsula Developmental Road (between Laura and Weipa Laura to Coen).

ENDS

Media contact:

Carmel Robertson 0439 347 875