BUDGET FUNDS KEEP GLADSTONE MOVING

More than $206 million will flow from the 2007-08 State Budget to continue the expansion of Queensland's largest port and upgrade of roads in the Gladstone area.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said the biggest ticket item in the region is another $103 million towards the RG Tanna Coal Terminal, one of the two coal terminals at Gladstone.

Mr Lucas said as one of the world's top five coal export ports, the Port of Gladstone was critical to the ongoing international competitiveness of the central Queensland coal industry.

"The Beattie Government will boost transport infrastructure spending in this year's budget by 39 per cent," he said.

"This is an investment in our economy and the industries that rely on world-class transport facilities to grow and generate jobs and revenue for Queenslanders."

The injection into RG Tanna coal terminal includes:

• $103 million for construction of stockpiles 19, 20 and 21, and a third outloading stream. This works will eventually boost capacity at RG Tanna from its current 40 million tonnes to its ultimate target of 68 million tonnes of coal annually.
• $2.4 million in 2007/08 for an improved dust suppression system throughout the terminal.
• $500,000 in 2007/08 to complete the $16.1 million third rail loop at the terminal.

As well, a further $12.6 million will be invested in minor plant and equipment across the Port of Gladstone, including upgrades to ship loading facilities at Barney Point coal and general cargo terminal, the Auckland Point general cargo terminal and new berths at Fisherman's Landing.

Shipping entering the port will be safer, with $150,000 in 2007-08 to begin the $550,000 provision of new radar tracking equipment for the maritime vessel tracking system. These systems allow the vessel traffic service centre at Gladstone to recognise ships entering the port and monitor and manage shipping traffic efficiently.

And for the recreational boaties, a new queuing lane is to be added at the Hanson Road Boat Ramp.

Mr Lucas today also released details of the new record five-year, $13.3 billion Roads Implementation Program (RIP), with funding of $625 million programmed over the next five years in Central Queensland.

Gladstone road funding highlights from the RIP for 2007-08 include:

• $36.1 million to complete the Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program to rehabilitate and widen 71 kilometres of the Dawson Highway between Calliope and Banana, and replace eleven timber bridges; and
• $6.3 million to widen the Leichhardt Highway between the Dawson River at Theodore and Twelve Mile Creek and north of Dawson Park Road.

Media contact: Robert Hoge 3237 1942 or

Darren Roberts 3237 1947