Published Tuesday, 29 May, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
$8.2 billion earmarked for infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast
Tuesday 29 May 2007
In the state’s most ambitious infrastructure program ever, more than $8.2 billion dollars will be invested on new infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast 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 to around four 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.
By 2026, more than 470 000 people are expected to be living on the Sunshine Coast, which includes the shires of Noosa and Maroochy and the City of Caloundra. In that time, traffic demand is projected to increase by 500 000 trips a day.
Over three-quarters of the investment on the Sunshine Coast will be spent on transport infrastructure, with $6.4 billion earmarked for road, rail and public transport projects.
“The SEQ Regional Plan actively supports consolidating and containing travel within the Sunshine Coast area,” Ms Bligh said.
“As the resident population and employment activity on the Sunshine Coast increases, transport connections to and between Activity Centres on the coast will become busier.
“The Sunshine Coast is now at a stage where public transport must play a greater role.”
The first phase of the Infrastructure Plan (2007–08 to 2010–11) addresses five major transport issues on the Sunshine Coast:
Providing a quality bus system between Caloundra and Maroochydore
Rapid public transport between Beerwah and Maroochydore: planning and land acquisition are being undertaken for this service, which will be integrated with the bus system between Caloundra and Maroochydore.
Improving the north coast rail line: major upgrades are underway between Caboolture and Landsborough and planning is progressing to increase the passenger and freight capacity of the track between Landsborough and Nambour.
Upgrading of the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra: the Australian Government has provided funding to investigate a new motorway-standard highway north of Cooroy to Curra.
Upgrading of the Sunshine Motorway: An upgraded Sunshine Motorway will relieve traffic congesting and provide a convenient and safe road link between the main Activity Centres while also providing better access to growth areas.
Funding has also been identified for health ($1.1 billion), education ($437 million), energy ($307 million) and vocational, education and training ($25 million) infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast.
Most of the funding earmarked for health infrastructure will be spent on a $940 million, 650-bed Sunshine Coast tertiary hospital to be built near Kawana Waters.
“By improving infrastructure networks and promoting new economic development opportunities, the Infrastructure Plan will help diversity the Sunshine Coast’s economy, which is largely reliant on tourism and construction,” Ms Bligh said.
Also earmarked for the area is a regional recreation trail, as part of an $8.8 million funding package announced in January.
Ms Bligh said three regional trails were part of the SEQ Regional Recreation Trails Strategy, which is a long-term plan for recreational trails across South East Queensland.
The Maroochy River Canoe Trail will be approximately 28 kilometres long, flowing from the South Maroochy River, near Yandina, to Maroochydore.
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 $8.2 billion dollars will be invested on new infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast 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 to around four 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.
By 2026, more than 470 000 people are expected to be living on the Sunshine Coast, which includes the shires of Noosa and Maroochy and the City of Caloundra. In that time, traffic demand is projected to increase by 500 000 trips a day.
Over three-quarters of the investment on the Sunshine Coast will be spent on transport infrastructure, with $6.4 billion earmarked for road, rail and public transport projects.
“The SEQ Regional Plan actively supports consolidating and containing travel within the Sunshine Coast area,” Ms Bligh said.
“As the resident population and employment activity on the Sunshine Coast increases, transport connections to and between Activity Centres on the coast will become busier.
“The Sunshine Coast is now at a stage where public transport must play a greater role.”
The first phase of the Infrastructure Plan (2007–08 to 2010–11) addresses five major transport issues on the Sunshine Coast:
Providing a quality bus system between Caloundra and Maroochydore
Rapid public transport between Beerwah and Maroochydore: planning and land acquisition are being undertaken for this service, which will be integrated with the bus system between Caloundra and Maroochydore.
Improving the north coast rail line: major upgrades are underway between Caboolture and Landsborough and planning is progressing to increase the passenger and freight capacity of the track between Landsborough and Nambour.
Upgrading of the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra: the Australian Government has provided funding to investigate a new motorway-standard highway north of Cooroy to Curra.
Upgrading of the Sunshine Motorway: An upgraded Sunshine Motorway will relieve traffic congesting and provide a convenient and safe road link between the main Activity Centres while also providing better access to growth areas.
Funding has also been identified for health ($1.1 billion), education ($437 million), energy ($307 million) and vocational, education and training ($25 million) infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast.
Most of the funding earmarked for health infrastructure will be spent on a $940 million, 650-bed Sunshine Coast tertiary hospital to be built near Kawana Waters.
“By improving infrastructure networks and promoting new economic development opportunities, the Infrastructure Plan will help diversity the Sunshine Coast’s economy, which is largely reliant on tourism and construction,” Ms Bligh said.
Also earmarked for the area is a regional recreation trail, as part of an $8.8 million funding package announced in January.
Ms Bligh said three regional trails were part of the SEQ Regional Recreation Trails Strategy, which is a long-term plan for recreational trails across South East Queensland.
The Maroochy River Canoe Trail will be approximately 28 kilometres long, flowing from the South Maroochy River, near Yandina, to Maroochydore.
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