Funding injection sets Gold Coast up for success

• $2.4 billion for Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services
• Big Build spending increased to $2.8 billion in 2024-25
• $116 million for Education

The Gold Coast is set to benefit from a Budget boost that will ensure improved health services, better education facilities, more infrastructure to support the growing region, and cost-of-living relief.

The 2024-25 Queensland Budget features a nation-leading $11.218 billion in concession and rebates to provide cost-of-living relief to Queenslanders, alongside a record $107.262 billion capital program for infrastructure statewide.

The Queensland Government is investing more than $2.4 billion into the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services to deliver even better access to healthcare for the community.

$13 million in 2024-25 is allocated to redevelop the Southport Ambulance Station and Gold Coast Operations Centre to deliver improved ambulance response services.  

This Budget will support a growing region with spending to deliver the Big Build increased to $2.8 billion in 2024-25, including projects to connect the community with $308.2 million to extend the Gold Coast Light Rail from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads, $165 million for upgrades to the Pacific Motorway from Varsity Lakes to Tugun, and $168 million to deliver three new train stations located at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.

Investment will also go towards safe, secure, and sustainable homes for the region, with $74.8 million in 2024-25 set to expand and improve social housing.

The Queensland Government is continuing to invest in education and will provide $116 million to maintain, improve and upgrade schools in the region.

$48.3 million in 2024-25 will see additional learning spaces in Gold Coast delivered and $5.8 million is set to fund more training opportunities under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, along with free Kindy and fee-free TAFE, this Budget is ensuring students of all ages have access to world class education.

Quotes attributable to the Premier Steven Miles:

“In my first budget as Premier, I am doing what matters for Queenslanders and delivering the largest investment into Queensland Health services, infrastructure and frontline workers in the state’s history.

“The Gold Coast is growing, and this budget is ensuring that we account for this growth.

“My government has consistently delivered increased frontline services for the Gold Coast, to the tune of a 69 per cent increase of nurses, a 17.1 per cent increase of teachers, 55.4 per cent increase in doctors and 40.3 per cent increase in ambulance officers.

“I will always put Queenslanders first and do what matters most to them.”

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:

“We are backing Queenslanders and Queensland families with this Budget.

“We have already assisted more than 5,000 Queenslanders buy their first home on the Gold Coast with $91 million worth of grants issued under the First Home Owner scheme since July 2016.

“And not only are we delivering action on cost of living, but we are also investing into the right infrastructure and services to support growth in the region.

"New and upgraded healthcare facilities for Coomera and Southport will see improved services for the Gold Coast.

“Our investment of into infrastructure will provide 7,200 jobs for the region and connect the community with three new train stations, an extended Gold Coast Light Rail and additional lanes for the Pacific Motorway.

“We are also improving accessibility to learning opportunities with new learning spaces, free kindy and fee-free TAFE.

“We are bolstering the Australian Government electricity bill relief by $1,000, meaning that Queensland households will receive a $1,300 credit on their electricity bills.

“This budget was made with Queenslanders in mind, and we will do what matters most for them.”

Quotes attributable to Gaven MP and Minister for Housing Meaghan Scanlon:

“We’re doing what matters, easing cost of living pressures on families while investing in the future of our city. 

“We’re continuing our nation-leading investment in affordable housing, roads, rail, hospitals and schools that a growing Gold Coast needs.

“Unlike the LNP who openly admit to failing to achieve enough for the Gold Coast.”

Further information

Other Gold Coast Budget investments in 2024-25 include:

• $9.3 million to implement The Spit Master Plan to deliver capital works projects transforming The Spit, Gold Coast’s public realm.
• $4 million to continue development of a Health and Knowledge Precinct within the Parklands Priority Development Area.
• $30.5 million to continue planning and investigatory works for the Gold Coast Desalination Plant augmentation and associated infrastructure.
• $7 million to upgrade the existing hall facility at Nerang State High School
• $9.4 million in 2024-25 to activate the Currumbin Eco-Parkland site to provide public access and to facilitate civil works, land restoration, access to koala vet unit, visitor parking and public amenities.
• $12.7 million for the rebuild of the heritage listed lodge and cabin rooms on Mount Roberts, that were lost in the 2019 bushfires at the Binna Burra Lodge.
• $19.9 million for delivery of recovery and betterment projects to local government assets impacted by disaster events between 2020 and 2024 in the Gold Coast region. Jointly funded under the State and Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
• $2.5 million to supply resources to public libraries on the Gold Coast. Part of the Public Library Grants.
• $25.8 million for electricity network enhancements on the Gold Coast to improve the network’s capacity.
• $24 million to install two 4 megawatt/8 megawatt-hour batteries at Hollywell and Yatala, to store the excess solar PV generated during the day . Part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan

ENDS