Overhauled QTRIP to restore respect for Queenslanders’ money

• Government to implement recommendations from an independent review, returning a competitive tender process for major transport projects and restoring respect for Queenslanders’ money.
• Changes will also drive industry collaboration and help prevent Labor’s repeated project cost blowouts.
• Independent review will help ensure the pipeline of generational transport projects are delivered in time for the 2032 Games.

The Crisafulli Government is restoring respect for taxpayers’ money and returning a competitive tender process for major transport projects, as part of its annual QTRIP update.  

It follows an independent review by respected infrastructure expert Rodd Staples – initiated under the former Labor Government as major infrastructure delivery spiralled out of control. 

The Crisafulli Government will implement the recommended reforms, including stronger reporting discipline to reduce the risk of unrealistic expectations and poor project planning. 

Under Labor’s watch, project costs and timelines slipped, with little accountability, including the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project where the budget blew out from $2.6 billion to $5.7 billion. 

As recommended by the review, the new QTRIP will ensure industry and funding partners, and the wider community, have the insight they need into the Program while distinguishing between projects in development and in delivery to prevent premature costings and encourage genuine market competition.  

Within QTRIP, more project planning will be undertaken upfront, with projects to be tendered following more detailed planning and project costs to be disclosed after contracted, as well as upon final completion.    

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the new QTRIP framework would bring genuine industry engagement and competition, driving down project costs and delivering better value for Queenslanders. 

“With the additional demands of 2032, Queensland’s infrastructure task is bigger than ever and we must manage the pipeline of projects to prevent cost overruns seen under Labor,” Minister Mickelberg said. 

“This is about ending the waste and restoring fiscal discipline to make every dollar stretch further for Queenslanders.

“Labor routinely announced project cost allocations before the market had a chance to competitively tender – locking in big prices and locking out better value. 

“Each taxpayer dollar that goes towards addressing a cost pressure left behind by Labor is a dollar which can’t be put towards new road and transport projects.  

“We are restoring respect for Queenslanders’ money, returning competitive tension to the process, to deliver sharper bids, better contract performance, and more projects delivered on time and on budget.” 

Independent Reviewer Rodd Staples said the review was critical to improving outcomes across Queensland’s transport and roads portfolio. 

“This review examined how the Department of Transport and Main Roads manages its infrastructure pipeline and how the Queensland Government can better manage costs and risks across project lifecycles,” Mr Staples said. 

“It found there are opportunities to enhance how QTRIP is structured, introducing consistency in contract packaging and commercial models, and better risk management frameworks to help ensure a more robust and cost-effective delivery in the future.” 

Queensland Major Contractors Association CEO Andrew Chapman welcomed the reforms, saying they marked a turning point in how major infrastructure is delivered in Queensland. 

“As the pipeline of work has grown it’s become more complex, and a new approach is more appropriate. This is a strong signal that the Queensland Government is serious about working with industry to deliver better outcomes,” Mr Chapman said. 

“QTRIP gives us certainty about what’s needed when – we're passionate about delivering value for money for government and the community. It’s critical that collaboration is embedded in the procurement process to enable industry and government to work together to deliver much greater time and cost certainty.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Leonard-Jones 0484 620 899