A fresh start for Western Queensland in 2025-26 Budget

Budget delivers the foundation for a fresh start for Western Queensland with $505.7 million to deliver recovery and betterment projects to local government assets impacted by disaster events.
$12 million to strengthen Longreach Water Security by raising 5 weirs along the Thomson River and water storage upgrades.
Nearly $1 million towards the Blackall Woolscour project to back in the region’s agriculture industry and regional manufacturing.
$5 million for the Roma Pool redevelopment, just one of the Games On! Projects to be delivered across Queensland.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering for Western Queensland with investment in priority local infrastructure and health in the 2025-26 Budget.

Western Queensland will also benefit from the Crisafulli Government’s $100 Back to School Boost, more police on the beat, new social and community housing, the $200 Play On! Sports Vouchers program, and more frontline health workers.

2025-26 Budget lays the foundation for the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, addressing Labor’s youth crime, health, housing and cost of living crises.

The Budget focuses on making Queensland safer, delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, driving down cost of living pressures for families, providing more free healthcare and building generational infrastructure for our growing State.

A new Central West renal unit will be delivered for the region as part of the Hospital Recue Plan, which is delivering more than 2,600 beds right across regional and rural Queensland.

The Budget delivers more health workers for Western Queensland with funding in 2025-26 for 45 full-time workers across the Central West Hospital and Health Service.

Western Queensland will be at the forefront of the Crisafulli Government’s tourism plan Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future, as the Government investigates Day Sky tourism accreditation in suitable locations to safeguard and provide opportunities for tourists to experience the night sky.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Budget was delivering the foundation for a fresh start for Western Queensland, just as promised.

“Today’s Budget delivers the fresh start Queensland needs and Queenslanders voted for, to address the crises in youth crime, health, housing and cost of living,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“We are delivering to restore safety where you live, health services when you need them, a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and a plan for Queensland’s future.

“This Budget delivers cost of living relief with the $100 Back to School Boost and the $200 Play On! Sports Vouchers Program, a fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan, a new nation-leading home ownership program to reduce the deposit gap, as well more police and early intervention to make Queensland safer.”

Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said the Budget delivered for Western Queensland.

“In Western Queensland we will provide $505.7 million for recovery and betterment projects to local government assets impacted by disaster events between 2021 and 2025,” Mr Dillon said.

“The Budget includes $12 million to strengthen Longreach’s water security by raising 5 weirs along the Thomson River and further upgrades to increase water storage and improve water efficiency across the network, in partnership with the Australian Government.

“This will also deliver easier access to Renal Dialysis to the Central Highlands in the budget, improving access to health care where and when people need it in Gregory.

“Blackall Wool Processing will receive $940,000 to fund the final stages of a planning and feasibility study for the Blackall Woolscour project, backing the agriculture industry and regional manufacturing.”

Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said the Budget delivered for Western Queensland through critical infrastructure, health and education projects that will make a real difference.

“This budget delivers $150,000 for planning for upgrades to the Charleville and St George airports, linking families, freight and emergency services to the rest of the State,” Minister Leahy said.

“Our $800,000 investment in Hannaford State School is a direct investment in the future of the region and delivers modern, safe and inspiring learning environments for students.

“This budget also includes funding for a new CT scanner for Charleville Hospital – something we have been fighting for, for more than a decade, but that Labor failed to deliver.”

Western Queensland will also benefit from the Crisafulli Government’s Games On! Program, a $250 million community Olympic and Paralympic legacy fund to boost participation in grassroots sport across Queensland in the leadup to 2032 and beyond.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Mel Wightman 0434 391 038

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Bedourie State School - $315,000 for a new accessible amenities building.
Blackall Woolscour - $940,000 to fund the final stages of planning and feasibility study for the project, backing the agriculture industry and regional manufacturing.
First 5 Forever - $26,555 to deliver the First 5 F1qAorever family literacy initiative in Western Queensland.
Isolated Energy Network Security - $71.4 million for Ergon Energy to pursue generation and storage upgrades in isolated networks.
Jundah State School - $453,000 for school playgrounds and tuckshop upgrades.
Longreach Regional Council Planning Scheme - $100,000 to support planning scheme improvements and boost local housing supply.
Longreach Saleyards Railway Siding Extension - $500,000 to extend the railway siding at the Longreach Livestock Exchange Saleyards.
Muttaburra State School - $558,000 for school playground and tuckshop upgrades.
Roma pool redevelopment - $5 million towards the redevelopment of the Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre.
St George Airport Masterplan - $100,000 to develop shire-wide aerodrome masterplans for St George Airport, assessing condition, future use, needs and a prioritised works program.
Quilpie State College - $600,000 for improved access across the site for students, parents, carers and staff.
Outback Education Program - Reactivating the Outback Queensland Education Experience Program, offering financial subsidies to help schoolchildren explore the rich history, culture and landscapes of the Queensland Outback through a diverse range of tourism offerings.
Public Libraries - $191,000 to resource public libraries in Western Queensland.
Rabig Park Amenities Refurbishment in Windorah - $380,000 total spend to refurbish the Rabig Park amenities building in Windorah, including roof works, interior finishes, fittings, and service upgrades.
Robinson Park upgrade works – Boulia Shire - $520,000 to install shade structures, trees, soft fall surfacing, and refresh playground equipment at Robinson Park in Boulia Shire.
Indigenous Arts Centres - $4.9 million to grow ethical and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industries through investment in Indigenous art centres, including in South West Queensland.
Bob Young Memorial Park upgrade - $450,000 to support Quilpie Shire Council to upgrade Bob Young Memorial Park with stone paving around the memorial and landscaping improvements across the site.
Charleville Airport Master Plan - $50,000 to support Murweh Shire Council to engage a consultant to develop a master plan for Charleville Airport, addressing runway defects and future demand.
Charleville Hospital – Making additional CT services for referred patients available at Charleville.
Cunnamulla swimming pool - $600,000 to construct upgrades at the pool in line with the masterplan to enhance community recreation facilities.
Loudon Bridge – Completing a business case to raise the approaches to Loudon Bridge.
Mitchell State School - $518,000 for multi-purpose upgrades so students can spend more time being active on the courts.
Queensland Microgrid Pilot Fund - $6.1 million for a Queensland Microgrid Pilot Fund with the intention of boosting resilience of regional communities to extreme weather events, including in South West Queensland.
Betoota Sports Arena - $100,000 total spend to construct a shed and awning at the Betoota Sports Arena to support patrons and protect sporting equipment during key events.