$20.2 billion earmarked for infrastructure in Greater Brisbane
Published Tuesday, 29 May, 2007 at 03:46 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Tuesday 29 May 2007
In the state’s most ambitious infrastructure program ever, more than $20.2 billion dollars will be invested on new infrastructure in Greater Brisbane over the next 20 years.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh made the announcement at today’s launch of the updated South East Queensland Regional Infrastructure Plan and Program 2007–2026.
Pointing out that the Infrastructure Plan also includes the more than $7.5 billion identified for water infrastructure projects that will benefit the entire SEQ region, Ms Bligh said it showed the State Government’s strong commitment to infrastructure delivery.
The SEQ Infrastructure Plan—updated annually—aims to ensure the region continues to meet the infrastructure demands of its burgeoning population, which is expected to increase by one million people by 2026.
The Infrastructure Plan supports the desired outcomes for the region outlined in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026—the framework to sustainably manage growth in Australia’s fastest-growing region.
Greater Brisbane—the cities of Brisbane, Logan and Redcliffe and the shires of Redland, Pine Rivers and Caboolture—is expected to accommodate a large proportion of the development proposed for SEQ.
“In outer areas, such as Pine Rivers and Caboolture Shire, most of this development will occur on greenfield sites,” Ms Bligh said.
“Within Brisbane City, an increasing amount of development will occur around existing Activity Centres, public transport nodes and infill development sites [vacant or previously used sites in established urban areas].”
About three-quarters of the investment in Greater Brisbane will be spent on transport infrastructure, with $15.3 billion earmarked for road, rail and public transport projects.
The first phase of the Infrastructure Plan (2007–08 to 2010–11) addresses four major transport issues in Greater Brisbane:
Extending and improving public transport infrastructure: public transport infrastructure, such as railways and busways, is being expanded and upgraded in areas where the SEQ Regional Plan encourages growth. Busways are now being planned and expanded along northern, southern and eastern spines to enable public transport to have a greater role in these corridors.
Improving freight transport links to the Australia TradeCoast: the expected growth in container traffic through the Port of Brisbane, and air freight and passenger movements through Brisbane Airport will require significant improvements to road and rail networks. The $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project is a major initiative to support this growth.
Supporting active transport choices: the Infrastructure Plan encourages cycling and walking. Two new pedestrian and cycle bridges will build on the success of the Goodwill Bridge. The sub-regional cycle network will continue to be expanded.
Improving road infrastructure: the Infrastructure Plan incorporates the North–South Bypass Tunnel, Airport Link and the Hale Street Link, as well as investigations into road networks in western Brisbane.
Funding has also been identified for energy ($2.6 billion), health ($1.1 billion), education ($795 million), vocational, education and training ($390 million), recreation ($93 million) and justice services ($23 million) infrastructure in Greater Brisbane.
Electricity demand in Queensland is growing at twice the rate of other states. To meet this demand, new generation, transmission and distribution network infrastructure must be constructed.
In addition to State Government funding, Government-owned Powerlink and Energex are investing billions of dollars in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure to meet forecast electricity demand and improve network security.
The centrepiece of the investment in Greater Brisbane’s health infrastructure is the new 400-bed Queensland Children’s Hospital, which will open in progressive stages from 2011 to 2014.
A total of $82 billion has been earmarked for priority infrastructure projects, investigations, planning, design and construction in SEQ over the next 20 years. This is $16 billion more than the amount identified in the 2006 Infrastructure Plan.
The new items in the updated plan include a new infrastructure category (justice services), the inclusion of Port of Brisbane Corporation activities, and additional water infrastructure commitments.
“Fortunately, Queensland is in an enviably strong financial position to deliver the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of a booming population,” Ms Bligh said.
“It’s fair to say that infrastructure provision in Queensland is in overdrive at present, but the Queensland Government is delivering the projects as scheduled and is on track to deliver the remainder.
“In partnership with local governments of the region and the private sector, the Queensland Government is ensuring the SEQ Infrastructure Plan becomes reality.”
Media Contact: Deputy Premier’s office 3224 6900
In the state’s most ambitious infrastructure program ever, more than $20.2 billion dollars will be invested on new infrastructure in Greater Brisbane over the next 20 years.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh made the announcement at today’s launch of the updated South East Queensland Regional Infrastructure Plan and Program 2007–2026.
Pointing out that the Infrastructure Plan also includes the more than $7.5 billion identified for water infrastructure projects that will benefit the entire SEQ region, Ms Bligh said it showed the State Government’s strong commitment to infrastructure delivery.
The SEQ Infrastructure Plan—updated annually—aims to ensure the region continues to meet the infrastructure demands of its burgeoning population, which is expected to increase by one million people by 2026.
The Infrastructure Plan supports the desired outcomes for the region outlined in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026—the framework to sustainably manage growth in Australia’s fastest-growing region.
Greater Brisbane—the cities of Brisbane, Logan and Redcliffe and the shires of Redland, Pine Rivers and Caboolture—is expected to accommodate a large proportion of the development proposed for SEQ.
“In outer areas, such as Pine Rivers and Caboolture Shire, most of this development will occur on greenfield sites,” Ms Bligh said.
“Within Brisbane City, an increasing amount of development will occur around existing Activity Centres, public transport nodes and infill development sites [vacant or previously used sites in established urban areas].”
About three-quarters of the investment in Greater Brisbane will be spent on transport infrastructure, with $15.3 billion earmarked for road, rail and public transport projects.
The first phase of the Infrastructure Plan (2007–08 to 2010–11) addresses four major transport issues in Greater Brisbane:
Extending and improving public transport infrastructure: public transport infrastructure, such as railways and busways, is being expanded and upgraded in areas where the SEQ Regional Plan encourages growth. Busways are now being planned and expanded along northern, southern and eastern spines to enable public transport to have a greater role in these corridors.
Improving freight transport links to the Australia TradeCoast: the expected growth in container traffic through the Port of Brisbane, and air freight and passenger movements through Brisbane Airport will require significant improvements to road and rail networks. The $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project is a major initiative to support this growth.
Supporting active transport choices: the Infrastructure Plan encourages cycling and walking. Two new pedestrian and cycle bridges will build on the success of the Goodwill Bridge. The sub-regional cycle network will continue to be expanded.
Improving road infrastructure: the Infrastructure Plan incorporates the North–South Bypass Tunnel, Airport Link and the Hale Street Link, as well as investigations into road networks in western Brisbane.
Funding has also been identified for energy ($2.6 billion), health ($1.1 billion), education ($795 million), vocational, education and training ($390 million), recreation ($93 million) and justice services ($23 million) infrastructure in Greater Brisbane.
Electricity demand in Queensland is growing at twice the rate of other states. To meet this demand, new generation, transmission and distribution network infrastructure must be constructed.
In addition to State Government funding, Government-owned Powerlink and Energex are investing billions of dollars in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure to meet forecast electricity demand and improve network security.
The centrepiece of the investment in Greater Brisbane’s health infrastructure is the new 400-bed Queensland Children’s Hospital, which will open in progressive stages from 2011 to 2014.
A total of $82 billion has been earmarked for priority infrastructure projects, investigations, planning, design and construction in SEQ over the next 20 years. This is $16 billion more than the amount identified in the 2006 Infrastructure Plan.
The new items in the updated plan include a new infrastructure category (justice services), the inclusion of Port of Brisbane Corporation activities, and additional water infrastructure commitments.
“Fortunately, Queensland is in an enviably strong financial position to deliver the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of a booming population,” Ms Bligh said.
“It’s fair to say that infrastructure provision in Queensland is in overdrive at present, but the Queensland Government is delivering the projects as scheduled and is on track to deliver the remainder.
“In partnership with local governments of the region and the private sector, the Queensland Government is ensuring the SEQ Infrastructure Plan becomes reality.”
Media Contact: Deputy Premier’s office 3224 6900