Published Thursday, 30 November, 2006 at 06:46 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
FUNDING TAKES QUEENSLAND ROAD SPENDING TO RECORD $11.55 BILLION
Spending on Queensland roads will grow by 10% – or 1.05 billion – to hit a record $11.55 billion investment between 2006-07 to 2010-11, Premier Peter Beattie announced today
“We are delivering safer roads and investing heavily in roads infrastructure to meet the needs of the growth State,” Mr Beattie said.
“There are some 165 new projects, including a $6 million upgrade to traffic lights in and around Brisbane,” he said
The money is detailed in the latest Roads Implementation Program which was released by Mr Beattie and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas in Parliament today.
It details almost 2500 roads projects to be built around the State in the next five years.
Mr Beattie said the $11.55 billion commitment included $9.7 billion in State funding and $1.7 billion from the Federal Government towards national highways and Black Spot-funded projects through AusLink. The remaining funds come from other sources, including developer contributions.
“Since coming to office in 1998 we have double Queensland’s spending on road infrastructure,” Mr Beattie said.
“This year’s State Budget allocated $727 million extra over the previous year, which is positive proof of how serious this Government is about pumping more funds into the road building effort across Queensland.
“This is a record roads funding program, even without the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project which is being fully funded through Queensland Motorways Limited.”
The new Roads Implementation Program includes 304 more projects than announced last year, including the 165 new projects which are on top of those unveiled in the State Budget and election campaign.
Mr Lucas said the new five-year program featured a stronger focus on targeted, low-cost but high-benefit safety projects to help cut the road toll.
“We’re spending a total of $230 million on targeted safety programs under the Safer Roads Sooner initiative over the next five years,” Mr Lucas said.
“This investment represents a growth from $10 million per annum in 2003-04 to $42 million in 2006-07, with an ongoing allocation of $47 million a year from 2007-08,” he said.
“We will pump money generated from camera-detected offences back into fixing black spots on our roads, including an estimated $13.5 million this year.”
“The State Government is also providing an extra $11 million a year from 2007-08 for safety risk assessments and safety work under through our Roads Alliance partnership with local councils. This will take to $25 million a year the amount being provided under the Roads Alliance.”
Mr Lucas said the State Government would continue spending more money on roads than it received through motor vehicle registration.
“Aside from compulsory third party insurance payments and a separate designated traffic improvement fee, almost $846 million is expected to be collected in vehicle registrations in 2006-07. Main Roads will spend $1.5 billion on road works and that is without federal funds,” Mr Lucas said.
“Unlike the Federal Government, which only spends around 17 cents in the dollar it takes in fuel tax on the nation’s roads, Queensland currently spends almost double the money we receive from vehicle registrations on our roads.”
Mr Lucas said, as in previous years, the program provided firm funding allocations for roads projects and supporting programs in the first two years, with $5 billion over 2006-07 and 2007-08.
“Indicative funding of $6.5 billion is provided for earmarked projects and supporting programs in the three years following,” he said.
Mr Lucas said State-funded initiatives in the new five-year program included continuation of significant special works programs which included:
• $2 billion for SEQIPP road projects over six years from 2005-06;
• $359 million over four years from 2005-06 under the Rural and Regional Roads Funding initiative for acceleration of regionally significant projects outside the south-east corner;
• $170 million over five years towards the $350 million Regional Bridge Renewal Program to replace more than 100 timber bridges and older concrete and steel structures across the State;
• $88 million over three years from 2005-06 for the Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program.
Federal Government funding includes $220 million for priority flood immunity, safety and other works on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns over the next three years, with a further $40 million towards the cost of the Tully/Murray Flats upgrade.
/ends
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Lucas’ Office: Robert Hoge 3237 1942, 0419 757 868
Projects under the 2006-07 to 2010-11 Roads Implementation Program include:
South East Queensland
• Construction of the $543 million four-lane bypass on the Pacific Motorway between Tugun and Tweed Heads, with completion due by the end of 2008
• $172 million over two years to advance construction of four projects on the Sunshine Motorway, including, four-lane duplication at Sippy Downs through to Kawana Way and Sippy Downs interchange
• $106 million towards construction of the South West Arterial (Springfield to Ripley to Yamanto extension)
• $15.5 million to complete a $29 million duplication of Moggill Road between Kilkivan Avenue and Pullenvale Road
• $34 million to start work on a $90.2 million project to duplicate the Mt Lindesay Highway from Green/Fedrick streets to Rosia Road and planning for duplication and commencement of the section between Rosia Road and Jimboomba
Southern Queensland and Wide Bay
• Provision of four lanes on the New England Highway through Highfields, north of Toowoomba, in conjunction with a program of widening, overtaking lanes and intersection improvements north to Crows Nest, part of a $33 million project
• Commence widening and upgrading of the Roma-Taroom Road to support oil and gas development and improve access, at a total estimated cost of $30 million
• Duplication and rehabilitation of sections of Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road in Hervey Bay City to accommodate growth in traffic and the development occurring on the outskirts of the city and within the urban and commercial environs, at a total estimated cost of $32 million
• Continuation of work on a $25 million - including a $7 million contribution from Toowoomba City Council - series of projects to upgrade Toowoomba's Ruthven Street, with $19.5 million to be spent in the next two financial years on safety and traffic flow improvements at various intersections.
Central Queensland
• Extra funding under the Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program (ARRP), along with funding from existing roads allocations to widen, strengthen and resurface 71km of the Dawson Highway between Gladstone and Banana and replace seven timber bridges
• Duplication of the Forgan Bridge (at a total estimated cost of $50 million), and replacement of Hospital Bridge in Mackay (at an estimated cost of $24 million)
Northern Queensland
• Continuation of a program to widen the single-lane bitumen to provide a minimum seal width of eight metres, widen or remove narrow grids and improve visibility through sections of poor alignment on the Burke Developmental Road, at a total estimated cost of $28 million
• Duplication of North Ward Road in Townsville between William Street and Ingham Road, and between Walker Street and Heatley Parade at a total estimated cost of $33.8 million, together with installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Warburton and Landsborough streets
• Widening of Mulgrave Road in Cairns from four to six lanes, at a total estimated cost of $16 million
“We are delivering safer roads and investing heavily in roads infrastructure to meet the needs of the growth State,” Mr Beattie said.
“There are some 165 new projects, including a $6 million upgrade to traffic lights in and around Brisbane,” he said
The money is detailed in the latest Roads Implementation Program which was released by Mr Beattie and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas in Parliament today.
It details almost 2500 roads projects to be built around the State in the next five years.
Mr Beattie said the $11.55 billion commitment included $9.7 billion in State funding and $1.7 billion from the Federal Government towards national highways and Black Spot-funded projects through AusLink. The remaining funds come from other sources, including developer contributions.
“Since coming to office in 1998 we have double Queensland’s spending on road infrastructure,” Mr Beattie said.
“This year’s State Budget allocated $727 million extra over the previous year, which is positive proof of how serious this Government is about pumping more funds into the road building effort across Queensland.
“This is a record roads funding program, even without the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project which is being fully funded through Queensland Motorways Limited.”
The new Roads Implementation Program includes 304 more projects than announced last year, including the 165 new projects which are on top of those unveiled in the State Budget and election campaign.
Mr Lucas said the new five-year program featured a stronger focus on targeted, low-cost but high-benefit safety projects to help cut the road toll.
“We’re spending a total of $230 million on targeted safety programs under the Safer Roads Sooner initiative over the next five years,” Mr Lucas said.
“This investment represents a growth from $10 million per annum in 2003-04 to $42 million in 2006-07, with an ongoing allocation of $47 million a year from 2007-08,” he said.
“We will pump money generated from camera-detected offences back into fixing black spots on our roads, including an estimated $13.5 million this year.”
“The State Government is also providing an extra $11 million a year from 2007-08 for safety risk assessments and safety work under through our Roads Alliance partnership with local councils. This will take to $25 million a year the amount being provided under the Roads Alliance.”
Mr Lucas said the State Government would continue spending more money on roads than it received through motor vehicle registration.
“Aside from compulsory third party insurance payments and a separate designated traffic improvement fee, almost $846 million is expected to be collected in vehicle registrations in 2006-07. Main Roads will spend $1.5 billion on road works and that is without federal funds,” Mr Lucas said.
“Unlike the Federal Government, which only spends around 17 cents in the dollar it takes in fuel tax on the nation’s roads, Queensland currently spends almost double the money we receive from vehicle registrations on our roads.”
Mr Lucas said, as in previous years, the program provided firm funding allocations for roads projects and supporting programs in the first two years, with $5 billion over 2006-07 and 2007-08.
“Indicative funding of $6.5 billion is provided for earmarked projects and supporting programs in the three years following,” he said.
Mr Lucas said State-funded initiatives in the new five-year program included continuation of significant special works programs which included:
• $2 billion for SEQIPP road projects over six years from 2005-06;
• $359 million over four years from 2005-06 under the Rural and Regional Roads Funding initiative for acceleration of regionally significant projects outside the south-east corner;
• $170 million over five years towards the $350 million Regional Bridge Renewal Program to replace more than 100 timber bridges and older concrete and steel structures across the State;
• $88 million over three years from 2005-06 for the Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program.
Federal Government funding includes $220 million for priority flood immunity, safety and other works on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns over the next three years, with a further $40 million towards the cost of the Tully/Murray Flats upgrade.
/ends
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister Lucas’ Office: Robert Hoge 3237 1942, 0419 757 868
Projects under the 2006-07 to 2010-11 Roads Implementation Program include:
South East Queensland
• Construction of the $543 million four-lane bypass on the Pacific Motorway between Tugun and Tweed Heads, with completion due by the end of 2008
• $172 million over two years to advance construction of four projects on the Sunshine Motorway, including, four-lane duplication at Sippy Downs through to Kawana Way and Sippy Downs interchange
• $106 million towards construction of the South West Arterial (Springfield to Ripley to Yamanto extension)
• $15.5 million to complete a $29 million duplication of Moggill Road between Kilkivan Avenue and Pullenvale Road
• $34 million to start work on a $90.2 million project to duplicate the Mt Lindesay Highway from Green/Fedrick streets to Rosia Road and planning for duplication and commencement of the section between Rosia Road and Jimboomba
Southern Queensland and Wide Bay
• Provision of four lanes on the New England Highway through Highfields, north of Toowoomba, in conjunction with a program of widening, overtaking lanes and intersection improvements north to Crows Nest, part of a $33 million project
• Commence widening and upgrading of the Roma-Taroom Road to support oil and gas development and improve access, at a total estimated cost of $30 million
• Duplication and rehabilitation of sections of Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road in Hervey Bay City to accommodate growth in traffic and the development occurring on the outskirts of the city and within the urban and commercial environs, at a total estimated cost of $32 million
• Continuation of work on a $25 million - including a $7 million contribution from Toowoomba City Council - series of projects to upgrade Toowoomba's Ruthven Street, with $19.5 million to be spent in the next two financial years on safety and traffic flow improvements at various intersections.
Central Queensland
• Extra funding under the Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program (ARRP), along with funding from existing roads allocations to widen, strengthen and resurface 71km of the Dawson Highway between Gladstone and Banana and replace seven timber bridges
• Duplication of the Forgan Bridge (at a total estimated cost of $50 million), and replacement of Hospital Bridge in Mackay (at an estimated cost of $24 million)
Northern Queensland
• Continuation of a program to widen the single-lane bitumen to provide a minimum seal width of eight metres, widen or remove narrow grids and improve visibility through sections of poor alignment on the Burke Developmental Road, at a total estimated cost of $28 million
• Duplication of North Ward Road in Townsville between William Street and Ingham Road, and between Walker Street and Heatley Parade at a total estimated cost of $33.8 million, together with installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Warburton and Landsborough streets
• Widening of Mulgrave Road in Cairns from four to six lanes, at a total estimated cost of $16 million