Federal Infrastructure Spend a Huge Win for Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has hailed a massive Federal Government infrastructure spend as a huge win for Queensland.

It means an extra $1.9 billion of safer roads and rail including funds for regional Queensland.

The historic deal, agreed with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, fast-tracks federal government spending on a host of road and rail projects all over the State.

Best of all, the Premier said, it means jobs.

“I have always said we work best when we work together and this proves it,” the Premier said.

“We have called for a better deal for Queensland and the Prime Minister has listened.”

Key projects include:

• $400 million in new road funding
• $648 million delivering already promised projects sooner
• Construction of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3
• $46.3 million for two M1 exit upgrades
• Accelerated funding for Linkfield Road Overpass
• Mt Crosby Road Interchange upgrade
• $10 million brought forward for Rockhampton Ring Road
• Agreement on Inland Rail linking freight from Melbourne to Brisbane, with $6 billion invested in Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it was good news for Queensland.

“This is a massive win for Queensland,” Minister Bailey said.

“Inland Rail presents an opportunity to move more freight onto trains and take trucks off roads.

“That becomes more important as south east Queensland continues to grow.

“This deal also prioritises planning for the passenger rail services that will be needed to serve growing parts of south east Queensland, like the Salisbury to Beaudesert rail link. “It delivers funding for what’s needed now, like the next stage of light rail on the Gold Coast, and what will be needed in the coming decade.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the bottom line is jobs.

“We are spending $49.5 billion building roads, schools and hospitals,” the Premier said.

“We’ve delivered four record transport and roads budgets in Queensland in the past five years to keep our state moving.

“Queensland’s economy is growing faster than the national average and we’ve created more than 223,000 jobs since 2015 because we’ve invested in major infrastructure.

“Thousands of people are at work on region shaping projects like the Mackay Ring Road, the Haughton River Bruce Highway upgrade south of Townsville, the Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade and Cross River Rail.

“The challenge for all governments is to plan for the next wave of projects that will continue to sustain jobs and underpin confidence in the economy.

“This deal will allow us to start work more quickly on the congestion busting road and rail projects our growing state needs.”

ENDS

Media contact: Toby Walker – 0439 347 875