Record Qld transport, roads spend supports jobs, COVID recovery

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver its fifth record roads and transport budget for Queensland, with $26.9 billion to support 23,600 jobs as part of the state’s economic recovery plan. 

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said building on record investment and projects like the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Bypass, the $497 million Mackay Ring Road, M1 upgrades in Logan and on the Gold Coast, and Peninsula Developmental Road upgrades as well as a $12.6 billion jointly-funded Bruce Highway plan, the government would lock in a four-year pipeline of works to charge the state’s COVID-19 recovery.

“Queenslanders have backed our Premier, our record and our vision for the sunshine state,” Mr Bailey said.

“Over the next four years, Queenslanders will see major projects like the $1 billion Gympie Bypass, $480 million Bruce Highway upgrade between Edmonton and Gordonvale and close to $2 billion in M1 upgrades completed – and some of the state’s largest ever jobs and infrastructure projects kick off. 

“Not only will we build Queensland’s biggest rail project: Cross River Rail, Queensland trains will be built by Queenslanders in Maryborough.

“We have committed a $1 billion rail manufacturing pipeline to lock in long term stable manufacturing jobs in Maryborough and supply chains across Queensland, including in Rockhampton.

“Building on our current and future M1 upgrades, our $1.5 billion second M1 – a 16.1km alternative from the AFL stadium at Cararra to the Marine Precinct at Coomera will start next year.

“The Gold Coast’s iconic blue and yellow trams will make their way to Burleigh Heads with our $709 million third stage of light rail underway.

“We’ll see 662 local jobs come on line with six-laning between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast and more than 800 local jobs with the $1 billion Rocky Ring Road.

“We’ll boost the inland freight route from Charters Towers to the New South Wales border, improving efficiency for our freight industry and taking heavy vehicles off the Bruce.

“That’s part of a $15 billion investment in regional roads, transport and statewide programs, backing 13,500 regional jobs.

“The Palaszczuk government will build more bike lanes and rail trails as the only major party with a policy for active transport – including the Cairns Southern Access Cycleway, Bundaberg to Gin Gin Rail Trail and Sunshine Coast hinterland bike trail.

“We’ll strengthen our coastal shipping industry with a $21 million commitment to get more local crews on ships, support a new shipping service between Townsville and Brisbane, and more maritime skills and training.

“This budget means thousands of secure jobs for Queenslanders. It means improving productivity for our economy, and better safety for those travelling throughout Queensland.

Mr Bailey said the Bruce Highway remained a major focus, with 33 major projects currently underway and continued delivery of the jointly funded $12.6 billion, 15-year upgrade program, including a State-funded $100 million boost, helping to improve safety, flood immunity and capacity along this important link between Brisbane and Cairns.

He said QTRIP included $280 million over four years for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) to support jobs and improve and maintain the local transport network across Queensland.

“This is a commitment to provide certainty of funding for local governments, which is critical to improving and maintaining the local transport network across this diverse state,” he said.

“This funding is vital for local councils to support their works programs and local jobs.

Mr Bailey said $1.18 billion was allocated to targeted road safety programs, which was critical to reducing road trauma and savings lives.

“Every death on the road is a tragedy and we are committed to savings lives and reducing the impact on the community,” he said.

Mr Bailey said the QTRIP 2020-21 to 2023-24 highlighted the Queensland Government’s commitment to key infrastructure projects across the state and reflected recently announced road upgrade projects as part of the Queensland Government's COVID-19 economic recovery response.  

This includes:

• $400 million state funding towards a $440.25 million package of road upgrades, as part of the Queensland Economic Strategy: Unite and recover for Queensland Jobs
• $415 million, jointly funded package of road upgrades as part of the Australian Government’s Economic Stimulus package, to deliver shovel-ready projects across the state’s network. 

“Global economies are doing it tough. But thanks to Queenslanders and the strength of our Premier, we will deliver Queensland’s plan for jobs and economic recovery.

“Because this government will always put Queensland’s health and economic strength first.”

Key road projects (including jointly funded investments with the Australian Government) include:

• $2.1 billion for Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway upgrades in northern Brisbane, including North South Urban Arterial corridor (dubbed the "Moreton Connector")
• $1.53 billion for the Coomera Connector (Stage 1) between Coomera and Nerang
• $1.065 billion for the Rockhampton Ring Road
• $1 billion for the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun
• $1 billion for the M1 between Daisy Hill and Logan Motorway
• $1 billion for the Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra) Section D: Woondum to Curra
• $932.2 million for the Bruce Highway between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway
• $750 million for the M1 between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill
• $662.5 million for upgrading the Bruce Highway between Caboolture - Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way
• $514.3 million for the Haughton River Floodplain upgrade on the Bruce Highway (Ayr - Townsville)
• $481 million for the Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3) project to duplicate the highway between Edmonton and Gordonvale
• $400 million for the Ipswich Motorway upgrade from Rocklea to Darra
• $359 million for the Cairns Ring Road between Cairns CBD and Smithfield
• $350 million for the Mackay Port Access project (Mackay Ring Road Stage 2)
• $301.3 million for the Bruce Highway Maroochydore Road interchange project
• $244 million for the Centenary Bridge upgrade (Stage 1)
• $230 million for the Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5) project
• $225 million for the Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5) at Foster Road
• $200 million Queensland Government funding towards the Inland Freight Route (Charters Towers to Mungindi)
• $164 million for the Smithfield Bypass linking McGregor Road and Cairns Western Arterial Road
• $158 million to duplicate the Bruce Highway to four lanes through Parkhurst (Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade project)
• $150 million for the Walkerston Bypass
• $125 million for the Linkfield Road overpass upgrade
• $123.7 million for the Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 4) between Kate Street and Aumuller Street
• $120.4 million for the Mackay Northern Access upgrade on the Bruce Highway
• $95 million for Riverway Drive (Stage 2), Allambie Lane to Dunlop Street
• $80 million for the Sumners Road interchange
• $80 million for upgrading sections of the Rockhampton - Yeppoon Road
• $75 million for the Mount Lindesay Highway between Stoney Camp Road and Chambers Flat Road
• $75 million for duplicating the Capricorn Highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere
• $60 million for Cairns Western Arterial Road (Redlynch Connector Road to Kamerunga Road) duplication
• $53 million for Mount Lindesay Highway (Johanna Street to South Street)
• $50 million for progressive sealing of the Kennedy Developmental Road (The Lynd - Hughenden)
• $46.4 million for Stuart Drive (Townsville Connection Road) between University Road and Bowen Road Bridge, Townsville

Key rail projects (including some investments jointly funded with the Australian Government) include:

• More than $1 billion for the Rail Network Strategy package, including $255 million for the New Generation Rollingstock, European Train Control System fitment and $600 million for the Rollingstock Expansion Project
• $709.9 million for the Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 3)
• $646 million for the European Train Control System Level 2 upgrades
• $550.8 million for Stage 1 of the North Coast Line - Beerburrum to Nambour Rail upgrade
• $97.2 million for an upgrade of the Mayne Yard vehicle and pedestrian access
• $95.1 million for the Loganlea Train Station relocation
• $57.1 million to upgrade train stations between Fairfield and Salisbury

Other public transport infrastructure highlights (including some investments jointly funded with the Australian Government) include:

• $72 million for the Northern Transitway
• $34.1 million for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry terminals (jointly funded with Redland City Council)
• $30 million for Stage 1 of the Eastern Transitway
• $30 million for the Beenleigh Train Station park 'n' ride
• $21 million for the Greenbank park 'n' ride
• $20 million for the Ferny Grove Train Station park ‘n’ ride
• $17 million for the Coomera Train Station park 'n' ride
• $14.5 million for the Salisbury Train Station park 'n' ride
• $11.5 million for a new Chermside Bus Station southbound platform
• $10.4 million for the Lawnton Train Station park 'n' ride
• $10 million for the Mango Hill Train Station park 'n' ride

Significant active transport infrastructure projects (including some investments jointly funded with the Australian Government and local governments) include:

• $23.8 million for the Cairns Southern Access Cycleway, as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program
• $22.5 million Queensland Government funding towards the extension of the Riverwalk from Mowbray Park to Captain Burke Park at Kangaroo Point
• $19.1 million for the Bundaberg to Gin Gin rail trail between Bundaberg and Koolboo Road
• $14.5 million for the Veloway 1 (V1) Cycleway at O'Keefe Street
• $12.2 million for Stage 1 of the New England Highway Cycleway between Highfields and Toowoomba CBD
• $10 million Queensland Government funding towards the South Brisbane bike network
• $9 million in cycle network grants to the City of Gold Coast for various sections of the Gold Coast Oceanway
• $6.5 million for the Beerburrum to Landsborough (Stage 1) cycleway between Beerwah and Glasshouse
• $5.4 million for the North Brisbane Bikeway (Stage 4) between Rigby Street and Price Street
• $4.5 million for active transport facilities on Noosa Parade between Munna Point Bridge and Garth Prowd Bridge
• $4.5 million for a cycleway on Smith Street Connection Road between Olsen Avenue and Kumbari Avenue
• $4 million for the V1 Cycleway on Logan Road between Levington Road and Kingston Road

Marine infrastructure projects include:

• $23.6 million to implement the Spit Masterplan at Southport
• $23.3 million for the Clump Point boat ramp at Mission Beach
• $11.5 million for the Yarrabah Jetty
• $9.1 million for dredging various navigation channels (Gold Coast)
• $9 million towards channel deepening the Molongle Creek at Gumlu
• $9 million for a boat ramp and floating walkway at Yorkeys Knob
• $4.2 million for a two-lane boat ramp with a floating walkway at Casuarina Creek
• $4 million for a barge ramp at Scarborough Boat Harbour

For more information on projects across Queensland, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au.  

ENDS

Media contact:  Francis Delacruz 0420 592 078