A fresh start for the Darling Downs and Scenic Rim in 2025–26 Budget

Budget delivers the foundation for a fresh start for the Darling Downs with key funding commitments across health, safety, Games infrastructure and industry skills projects.
Delivering the new Toowoomba Hospital to restore health services when you need them.
A new Manufacturing Hub in Toowoomba will strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities and plan for Queensland’s future.
The new Equestrian Centre of Excellence to ensure the Darling Downs benefits from a lasting legacy in 2032 and beyond.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering for the Darling Downs with key funding commitments across health, safety, 2032 Games infrastructure, energy, education, and an economy-boosting manufacturing hub in the 2025–26 Budget.

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

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.

Under the Hospital Rescue Plan, the Government will deliver the new Toowoomba Hospital, adding at least 118 new beds to offer at least 538 overnight beds.

The hospital will now have all its health services located at the Baillie Henderson site, including a new cardiac lab, additional dialysis and an expanded emergency department.

To ensure the local community has the world-class care it deserves, additional funding in 2025–26 will grow the health workforce to 5,797 across the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.

Protea Place Women’s Support Centre in Toowoomba will receive $2.5 million over the next four years to provide vulnerable women and children in the community with the support they need.

The Crisafulli Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan is ensuring the Darling Downs is in the box seat for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the new Equestrian Centre of Excellence to be located at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

The Budget has committed $10 million to establish two new Manufacturing Hubs, with one in Toowoomba, to boost the region’s manufacturing capabilities.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Budget delivered the foundation for a fresh start for the Darling Downs region, 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.”

Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said this Budget delivered for the people of the Darling Downs

“This is a budget that locks in funding for the new Toowoomba Hospital for better easier healthcare where you live and it also invests vital funds to ensure Protea Place keeps its doors open to ensure our most vulnerable women are cared for,” Mr Janetzki said.

“When we said the 2032 Olympics would be for all of Queensland, we meant it, and in this Budget, we ensure we can deliver a new Equestrian Centre of Excellence at the Toowoomba Showgrounds ... to get the Darling Downs community games ready!”

Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said the Crisafulli Government was delivering for the Darling Downs.

“We’re delivering $8.9 million to enclose an existing covered area at Toowoomba North State School to provide a new multipurpose hall,” Mr Watts said.

Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald said the Crisafulli Government was delivering safety where you live.

“Our Staying on Track Program will provide $225 million statewide over five years for 12 months of intense rehabilitation support for all youth in and exiting detention,” Mr McDonald said.

Member for Southern Downs James Lister said the Budget delivered for health services where you live.

“We’re growing our health workforce in the Southern Downs, with more funding and staffing for the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service,” Mr Lister said.

Member for Condamine Pat Weir said the Budget delivered for regional communities.

“We’re delivering for the regions, including $27 million for safety upgrades to the Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road, $401,000 at Goombungee State School for playground and tuckshop improvements, additional frontline biosecurity officers, the new Toowoomba Hospital as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan and delivering a new Equestrian Centre of Excellence at the Toowoomba Showgrounds, part of the 2032 Delivery Plan,” Mr Weir said.

Member for Scenic Rim Jon Krause said the Budget was delivering for the region.

“We’re delivering the next stage of planning for the Boonah Hospital as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan, as well as a $4 million replacement auxiliary fire and rescue station,” Mr Krause said.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Mel Wightman 0434 391 038

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DARLING DOWNS

Cherbourg water quality improvement project - $25.6 million to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the Cherbourg community by upgrading its ageing treatment and distribution infrastructure. Part of the National Water Grid Fund, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
Chinchilla Hospital - Progression of the planning stage for the Chinchilla Hospital as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan.
Bell Town Rural Fire Brigade Station - $1 million for the replacement of the rural fire brigade station at Bell Town.
Toowoomba North State School - $8.9 million to enclose an existing covered area to provide a new multipurpose hall.
Toowoomba’s Protea Place - $2.5 million of support to Toowoomba's Protea Place, a crucial service that assists vulnerable women on the Darling Downs.
Abandoned Mine Lands Program - $32.3 million for the management and mitigation of significant public safety, health and environmental risks at high-risk abandoned mine sites, including on the Darling Downs.
Highfields fire and rescue stations - $2 million to acquire land for a replacement permanent and auxiliary fire and rescue station at Highfields.
Critical maintenance for Queensland Museum Cobb+Co - $2.2 million to address critical maintenance projects to assist in the delivery of museum activities and exhibitions.
Gabbinbar State School - $100,000 for new covered access pathways.
Goombungee State School - $401,000 for school playground and tuckshop upgrades.
Wooroolin Skate Park - $150,000 for a new skate park in Wooroolin, as part of the Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program.
Kingaroy Hospital Helipad - $5.9 million to construct a new helipad to replace the ageing bitumen-surfaced helipad, as part of the newly uplifted Timely Investment Infrastructure Maintenance program.
Millmerran Multipurpose Health Service - $34.7 million to deliver a safe, compliant and contemporary health facility utilising a modern design, as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan.
Wondai Art Gallery - $100,000 for Wondai Art Gallery for additional undercover infrastructure to improve accessibility to the facility.
Murgon Hospital - Progression of the planning stage for the Murgon Hospital as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan.
Road safety upgrades for schools - $1 million towards safety upgrades that will impact schools in Wilsonton, Newtown and Highfields, and working with Council to explore options around the Stuart Street and North Street intersection and other traffic management issues.
Barlil Weir - Progressing planning work to deliver a new weir to improve water supply reliability along Barambah Creek.
Queensland manufacturing hub - Boosting Queensland’s manufacturing capability with a new manufacturing hub in Toowoomba.

SCENIC RIM

Accessible unisex change facilities at 2 sport fields (SEQ Liveability Fund) - $2.8 million to deliver inclusive change facilities at Coronation Park (Boonah) and Selwyn Park (Beaudesert), featuring showers, toilets and benches.
Beaudesert courthouse - Delivering the replacement of the current Beaudesert courthouse.
Biddaddaba rural fire brigade station - $1 million for the upgrade of the rural fire brigade station at Biddaddaba.
Boonah Hospital – Progression of the planning stage for the Boonah Hospital as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan.
Boonah replacement auxiliary fire and rescue station - $4 million for the replacement of the auxiliary fire and rescue station at Boonah.
First 5 Forever - $29,763 to deliver the First 5 Forever family literacy initiative in the Scenic Rim.
Gallery Walk access and safety upgrades – Tamborine Mountain - $2.1 million to build an off-road car park, upgrade public toilets, and construct new pedestrian crossings and footpaths to improve access and safety.
Games On! Tamborine Mountain Sports Association - $1 million to be utilised as a bridge to accessing other funding streams or on one or more discrete projects which advance the Master Plan, as part of the $250 million Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program.
Gleneagle State School - $500,000 for school playground and tuckshop upgrades.
Hillview State School - $495,000 for school playground and tuckshop upgrades.
Ipswich Hospital Expansion (Stage 2) - $925 million to construct a new acute clinical services building on the existing site, with 200 new beds, as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan.
Kalbar and District Agricultural and Pastoral Association - $150,000 for lighting at Kalbar Showgrounds.
Mount Alford rural fire brigade station - $1.4 million for the rural fire brigade station at Mount Alford.
Mount Lindesay Highway - Duplicating the Mount Lindesay Highway between Johanna Street and South Street in Jimbomba to improve safety and reduce peak hour congestion and travel time. Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
NBN Regional Co-Investment Fund - $529,380 to increase and improve fixed wireless telecommunications resilience in communities in the Scenic Rim affected by, or at risk of, natural disasters.
New indoor multi-sports facility - $4.8 million spend to construct a new indoor multi-sports facility in Beaudesert with 2 courts, viewing deck, amenities and parking facilities.
Rathdowney State School - $1.5 million to refurbish Block E amenities.
St Bernard State School - $300,000 for transpiration pit rectification.
Strategic infrastructure planning for Kooralbyn township - $90,000 to develop a strategic plan addressing future infrastructure needs for the Kooralbyn township.

SOUTHERN DOWNS

Allora Community Precinct redevelopment - $600,000 to remove the old Allora Fire Station, relocate the library and expand the Sports Museum to include a modern library and community meeting space.
Allora P-10 State School - $100,000 to deliver a new access ramp to Block C.
Amiens State School - $123,000 for multipurpose court upgrades.
Broadwater State School - $392,000 for multipurpose court upgrades.
Cunningham Highway safety improvements - Safety improvements to the Cunningham Highway, from Ipswich to Warwick.
First 5 Forever - $43,547 to deliver the First 5 Forever family literacy initiative in Southern Downs.
Goondiwindi Neighbourhood Centre - $2 million for a new Goondiwindi Neighbourhood Centre in Southern Downs.
Goondiwindi road design improvements - $60,000 to design improved pavement and drainage on Town Common Road.
Goondiwindi staff accommodation upgrade - $6.9 million to upgrade staff accommodation to aid recruitment and retention.
Improvements to the Gore Highway - Jointly funded with the Australian Government.
Leyburn State School - $405,000 for tennis court upgrades.
Maintenance at Warwick TAFE - $869,300 for ongoing maintenance.
More health workers - More health workers for Southern Downs, with additional funding in 2025–26 to grow the workforce to 5,797 (FTE) across Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service.
Public libraries - $206,188 to supply resources to public libraries in Southern Downs.
Queensland College of Wine Tourism - Stepping in to save the wine college in Stanthorpe and protect more than 20 jobs in the region.
Swan and Emu Creek Rural Fire Brigade Station - $1 million to deliver the replacement of the rural fire brigade station at Swan and Emu Creek.
Warwick and Stanthorpe Safe City CCTV networks upgrades - $300,000 to replace CCTV cameras and supporting infrastructure in the Warwick CBD and the Stanthorpe CBD.
Warwick East State School - $104,000 for school playground and tuckshop upgrades.
Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre filtration system replacement - $2 million to replace the Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre filtration system. Part of the permanent Works for Queensland Program.
Warwick police facility upgrade - $21 million for the upgrade of the police facility at Warwick.
Warwick Saleyards upgrades - $795,000 to build fencing for holding paddocks, fit out a new sheep office, install a vegetation buffer, upgrade entrance signs and extend sheep fencing.
Warwick State High School - $700,000 for a replacement amenities block.
Warwick Water Treatment Plant distribution centre - $175,000 to replace sections of water mains and upgrade the distribution centre at Warwick Water Treatment Plant to improve network control and reliability.
Warwick's WillowTree 37 - $1 million for WillowTree 37 in Warwick to support vulnerable women in the Darling Downs.
Whetstone Rural Fire Brigade Station - $700,000 for the replacement of the rural fire brigade station in Whetstone.
Wild dog barrier fence renewal works – Goondiwindi region - $1.1 million to replace 41 kilometres of wild dog barrier fence using durable dog netting and steel fittings across challenging terrain in the Goondiwindi region.