Record investment in Queensland’s transport infrastructure

Transport and roads projects across Queensland will be supercharged by a record level of infrastructure investment, creating jobs and supporting the state’s growing population.

The Palaszczuk Government today released details of its $29.7 billion, four-year roads and transport investment plan to support 25,200 jobs.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the seventh record roads and transport budget in a row is helping to build an even more impressive pipeline of projects.

“Queensland is growing rapidly, with our world leading pandemic response making our state the place to be, but we know we need infrastructure to support this growth and that’s what this budget delivers for Queenslanders,” Mr Bailey said.

"The investment will drive the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for shifting from economic recovery to future growth and prosperity, supporting jobs and delivering critical infrastructure to keep our state moving.

"This year's $29.7 billion in road and transport infrastructure investment plan will support 25,200 direct jobs, helping to promote more jobs in more industries, all while delivering better transport options for Queenslanders.”

Mr Bailey said the budget includes major investment in south-east Queensland roads.

“Works are ramping up on the M1, Bruce Highway, and on the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector,” he said.

“Driving from Coolangatta to Coolum, Queenslanders can see just how many major upgrades are going on through that corridor.

“From the $1 billion Varsity Lakes to Tugun M1 upgrade and the $1 billion Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway M1 upgrade, to the $662.5 million Caboolture to Steve Irwin Way Bruce Highway upgrade, we’re delivering more lanes, better interchanges, and safer conditions across the south-east’s major roads.

“On top of that, we’re building a brand new highway, the Coomera Connector, which will deliver a second M1 between Logan and the Gold Coast, and will be the biggest road project in Queensland’s history.

“That’s the major work we are delivering right now, while also planning for the future with a range of planning studies and business cases funded through this budget to detail what’s needed next across the region.”

Assistant Regional Roads and Train Manufacturing Minister Bruce Saunders said major regional corridors such as the Bruce Highway are getting further significant investment, improving capacity, flood immunity and road safety.

“More than half of this record-breaking investment will directly support regional Queensland, with over $18 billion worth of road and transport projects being delivered outside the Brisbane region,” Mr Saunders said.

“The pipeline of investment outlined in this plan will support an average of 16,220 direct jobs across regional Queensland, stepping up our focus on supporting regional growth.

“This includes funding for major regional projects like the $1.06 billion Rockhampton Ring Road, the $1 billion Cooroy to Curra Bruce Highway upgrade, the $481 million Cairns Southern Access Corridor Bruce Highway upgrade, the $350 million Mackay Port Access road, the $336 million Tiaro Bypass on the Bruce and the $230 million Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5).

“It also includes $280 million over four years for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme which increases our commitment to work with local governments on local road and transport networks in regional areas.”

Mr Bailey said $1.49 billion was allocated to targeted road safety programs, which was additional to road safety improvements delivered as part of major programs and projects.

"Improving road safety to reduce road trauma and save lives remains our highest priority,” he said.

“This investment continues on a legacy of constant improvement through our various safety programs, supported by our investment in infrastructure which improves road conditions.”

Mr Bailey said the budget also meant the Palaszczuk Government will be delivering $266.2 million for active transport infrastructure.

“This includes projects such as the Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads Cycleway, the Veloway 1 O'Keefe Street bridge, active transport path and crossing along Gympie – Brooloo Road, and the New England Highway Bikeway, Highfields to Toowoomba (Stage 2),” he said.

“This is in addition to other projects that provide improvements to the active transport network, such as infrastructure upgrades associated with Coomera Connector Stage 1, Centenary Bridge upgrade and various projects on the M1 and Bruce Highway.

“Queensland boaties can also look forward to an investment of $185.3 million towards maintenance and upgrades of their local facilities, including boat ramps, floating walkways, pontoons and dredging projects.

"This year's QTRIP really highlights the important work we are delivering across the state, making Queensland the place everyone wants to be.”

Mr Bailey also noted the timing of the 2022 Federal Election meant QTRIP had been developed in advance of the incoming Australian Government's formal updates to the National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects Schedule for Queensland.

He said the Queensland Government would work closely with the Australian Government in coming months to incorporate new commitments into the infrastructure pipeline such as additional federal funding for the Bruce Highway, Kuranda Range, Boundary Road level crossing (Coopers Plains) and Ipswich Motorway planning.

QTRIP 2022-23 to 2025-26 investment highlights include:

South Coast Region

$5.19 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $2.16 billion Coomera Connector (Stage 1), Coomera to Nerang (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $1.21 billion Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 3) Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads (jointly funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and City of Gold Coast)
• $1 billion Pacific Motorway, Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $1 billion funding commitment for Pacific Motorway Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway capacity upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government).
• $750 million Pacific Motorway, Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $120 million Queensland Government funding commitment for three new Gold Coast railway stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.
• $82.1 million Pacific Motorway, Exit 41 interchange upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $75 million Mount Lindesay Highway, Stoney Camp Road to Chambers Flat Road construct additional lanes (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

Metropolitan Region

$3.85 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $1 billion Gateway Motorway, Bracken Ridge to Pine River funding commitment (jointly funded with the Australian Government).
• $450 million funding commitment for Brisbane Metro Woolloongabba Station (jointly funded by the Queensland Government, Australian Government and Brisbane City Council)
• $244 million Centenary Bridge Upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $209.3 million Beams Road (Carseldine and Fitzgibbon) rail level crossing upgrade (jointly funded by the Queensland Government, Australian Government and Brisbane City Council)
• $206 million funding for Boundary Road (Coopers Plains) rail level crossing (jointly funded with the Australian Government). Project cost, timing and funding arrangements subject to further planning and negotiations with Brisbane City Council and Australian Government Project (in line with its 2022 Federal Election commitment).
• $125 million Linkfield Road Overpass upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

North Coast Region

$3.07 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $1.09 billion Bruce Highway, Pine River to Dohles Rocks Road interchange funding commitment (jointly funded with the Australian Government).
• $662.5 million Bruce Highway, Caboolture - Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $320 million Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Stage 1) (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $301.3 million Bruce Highway, Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $163.3 million Bruce Highway, Deception Bay Road interchange upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $105 million Bruce Highway, Pine River to Caloundra Road Smart Motorways (Stage 2) (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $57 million Strathpine - Samford Road (Eatons Crossing Road and Mount Samson Road) intersection and safety improvements

Wide Bay Burnett District

$1.56 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $1 billion Bruce Highway, Cooroy to Curra Section D (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $336 million Bruce Highway, Tiaro Bypass (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $103 million Bruce Highway, Saltwater Creek and Deadmans Gully flood immunity upgrades (jointly funded with the Australian Government).
• $44.7 million Bruce Highway (Gympie - Benaraby) various locations, upgrade culverts (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $44.1 million Maryborough - Hervey Bay Road and Pialba - Burrum Heads Road intersection upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $41.8 million Isis Highway (Bundaberg - Childers), various locations, safety improvements
• $30 million Torbanlea - Pialba Road, various locations, upgrade intersections and floodways (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $28.9 million Pialba - Burrum Heads Road, O'Regan Creek, upgrade existing floodway
• $25 million Mundubbera - Durong Road, John Peterson Bridge (Boyne River) replacement (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

Darling Downs District

$785.5 million investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $45.5 million Gore Highway (Toowoomba - Goondiwindi) upgrades at various locations (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $45.2 million Gore Highway (Millmerran - Goondiwindi), Wyaga Creek floodway upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $25 million Cunningham Highway, Eight Mile intersection upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $19.5 million New England Highway (Warwick - Wallangarra) safety improvements
• $17 million Gore Highway (Pittsworth - Millmerran) pavement rehabilitation (various locations) (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $11.5 million New England Highway (Toowoomba - Warwick) high risk roads safety improvements
• $6.8 million Barwon Highway (Talwood - Nindigully), Weengallon pavement widening (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $6.5 million New England Highway Bikeway, Highfields to Toowoomba (Stage 2)
• $6.3 million Emu Swamp Dam, construct supporting road infrastructure (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

South West District

$302.8 million investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $6.8 million Quilpie - Adavale Road, various locations, upgrade seal and floodways (jointly funded with Quilpie Shire Council)
• $5 million Carnarvon Highway (Injune - Rolleston), Dawson River bridge widening
• $4.5 million Bulloo Developmental Road (Cunnamulla - Thargomindah) widening and sealing (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $4.5 million Mitchell Highway (Cunnamulla - Charleville) widening and sealing (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $3.8 million Balonne Highway (St George - Bollon), rehabilitate pavement
• $3.8 million Quilpie - Thargomindah Road (Thargomindah), seal various locations (jointly funded with the Bulloo Shire Council)
• $2.4 million Balonne Highway (St George - Bollon), construct heavy vehicle breakdown facility (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $2 million Diamantina Developmental Road (Quilpie - Windorah), widen and seal (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $1.6 million Carnarvon Highway (Mungindi - St George), widen and seal various locations (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

Fitzroy District

$1.52 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $1.06 billion Rockhampton Ring Road (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $125 million Access to Gladstone Port upgrade (jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government).
• $80 million Rockhampton - Yeppoon Road upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $75 million Capricorn Highway (Emerald - Alpha) (Package 1), strengthen and widen pavement (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $70 million Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence), Pine Mountain Creek to Deep Creek safety improvements (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $40 million Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence) and Bolsover Street intersection upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $35 million Gavial - Gracemere Road (Lawrie Street) upgrade
• $24 million Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), Charnwood Road to Palm Creek safety improvements (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

Central West District

$425.9 million investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $182.5 million funding for Outback Way future priorities (jointly funded with the Australian Government). Project details and timing subject to negotiation with the Australian Government.
• $45 million Capricorn Highway (Emerald - Alpha) (Package 2), strengthen and widen pavement (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $9.7 Capricorn Highway (Emerald - Alpha), widen pavement (various locations)
• $5.1 million Barcaldine - Aramac Road, various locations, widen and rehabilitate (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $5 million Cramsie - Muttaburra Road (Section 3), pave and seal
• $5 million Diamantina Developmental Road (Windorah - Bedourie), rehabilitate pavement (various locations)
• $4.5 million Eyre Developmental Road (Bedourie - Birdsville) (Section 2), pave and seal (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $4.1 million Kennedy Developmental Road (Hughenden - Winton), rehabilitate and widen pavement

Mackay Whitsunday District

$1.01 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $497.4 million Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1), including works between the intersection of the Mackay Ring Road and Bald Hill Road (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $350 million Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road, construct new two lane road (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $186.6 million Walkerston Bypass (jointly funded with the Australian Government).
• $144.6 million Mackay Northern Access upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $44.1 million Bruce Highway (Proserpine - Bowen), Ten Mile Creek to Yeates Creek safety improvements (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $35 million Peak Downs Highway (Clermont - Nebo), Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge Mine widening and strengthening pavement (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $23 million Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine), Jumper Creek flood immunity upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

Northern District

$1.06 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $230 million Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5) (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $99.8 million Bruce Highway, Townsville Northern Access Intersections Upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government) *note: this funding does not include $7.88 million of interim early works that were completed in 2018-19
• $96.9 million Bruce Highway, Burdekin River Bridge rehabilitation program (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $95 million Garbutt - Upper Ross Road (Riverway Drive) Stage 2, Allambie Lane to Dunlop Street duplication (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $48 million Bruce Highway, Burdekin Deviation, plan and preserve corridor (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $48 million Bruce Highway, Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation, plan and preserve corridor (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $46.4 million Townsville Connection Road (Idalia), University Road to Bowen Road Bridge (Stuart Drive) safety improvements
• $40 million Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Gairloch safety improvements (funded by the Australian Government)

North West District

$489.9 million investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $50 million Kennedy Developmental Road (The Lynd - Hughenden), progressive sealing (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $42.7 million Flinders Highway (Julia Creek - Cloncurry), Scrubby Creek strengthen pavement and widen floodway (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $33.8 million Flinders Highway (Hughenden - Richmond), upgrades at various locations (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $30 million Flinders Highway (Richmond - Julia Creek), Alick Creek, upgrade floodway and install culverts (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $25.5 million Landsborough Highway (Kynuna - Cloncurry), McKinlay River upgrades (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $22.5 million Flinders Highway (Richmond - Julia Creek), upgrades at various locations (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $13 million Richmond - Winton Road, various locations, pavement strengthening and widening (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $11.2 million Burke Developmental Road (Cloncurry - Normanton), various locations, widen pavement

Far North District

$1.59 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as:

• $481 million Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3), Edmonton to Gordonvale (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $359 million Cairns Ring Road (Cairns CBD to Smithfield) (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road, Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway duplication (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $237.5 million Cape York Region Package Stage 2, including $44.9 million Peninsula Developmental Road, Archer River Crossing construct bridge (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $225 million Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5), Foster Road, upgrade intersection (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $85.6 million funding for Cape York Region Package, Cooktown to Weipa Corridor upgrade, future priorities (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $35 million Kennedy Highway (Cairns - Mareeba), Kuranda Range, Intelligent Transport System (jointly funded with the Australian Government)

Statewide

Includes funding commitments that cross regional/district boundaries that will be prioritised and allocated specific areas over time. Also includes investments that cross regional/district boundaries and investments delivered on a statewide basis.

• $2.59 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (Kuraby to Beenleigh) upgrade (jointly funded with the Australian Government)
• $1 billion funding commitment towards upgrades of the Inland Freight Route (Charters Towers to Mungindi) (jointly funded with the Australian Government). project details and timing subject to negotiation with Australian Government.
• $600 million Queensland Train Manufacturing Program which forms part of the $7.1 billion to boost Queensland’s train manufacturing industry and build and operate 65 trains
• $544.5 million for the Warrego Highway (jointly funded with the Australian Government). Project details and timing subject to further planning and negotiation with the Australian Government. The Queensland Governments initial priority is upgrading the Mount Crosby Road interchange.

For more information about the State Budget visit budget.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contact: Joe Ogilvie 0423 184 412