State Govt commits $27.5bn on transport and road projects across QLD

More transport and road projects are set to get underway as well as up to 24,000 jobs to be supported across Queensland after the State Government released the details for its $27.5 billion four-year roads and transport investment plan. 

This record funding flowing from the 2021-2022 State Budget will not only build infrastructure and create jobs, but it will also aid in Queensland’s economic recovery. 

“Queensland’s strong leadership during the COVID-19 health crisis means our state is the place to be. 

“More people are moving to Queensland than anywhere else in Australia. 

“We’ve developed a four-year investment outlook that anticipated future infrastructure demand and backs Queensland workers and businesses,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

Minister Bailey added that the infrastructure boom in the State will be boosted by this new significant funding injection. 

From early 2020, the State Government has invested an additional $1.3 billion into the economy to help fast track about 200 road and transport projects that created much-needed jobs. 

“This budget boosts infrastructure investment, so we don’t lose momentum on Queensland’s economic recovery. 

“There’s funding to move freight more efficiently across the state by improving key road and port connections,” Minister Bailey said. 

In addition, the multi-billion-dollar investment will also support the growing communities in the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast as well as deliver rail projects that will provide better services along with new jobs and training opportunities. 

Minister Bailey also added that funding for road safety is being prioritised in this budget. 

“Every death on the road is a tragedy and we have committed record funding to saving lives and reducing the impact on the community,” Minister Bailey said. 

Remote and regional communities will also benefit from this significant investment through maintenance of essential transport services. 

On the other hand, the Local Fare Scheme that provides a $400 discount for a return airfare for eligible residents in Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Torres Strain is going to be extended until 30 June 2022. 

An additional $16.3 million has also been invested on a financial support package – which was introduced in April 2020 and will now be extended to the end of 2021 – that will assist transport operators struggling with a downturn in passengers. 

The significant investment will include funding for low and no emissions travel options such as biking or walking. 

“We’ll keep building new and improved facilities for bike riders and pedestrians, with $250 million allocated over four years for active transport, including $10 million towards extending the Oceanway at Boradbeach on the Gold Coast. 

“We also expect more Queenslanders to make the switch to electric vehicles in the coming years, so we’ll keep building more charging stations,” Minister Bailey said. 

The Queensland Government will also be fast tracking initiatives that will support its commitment to deliver zero-emission buses throughout the State from 2025. 

“Electric buses are already being trialled on some routes and we’ll start to see more built at BusTech on the Gold Coast, including two bio-ethanol fuelled buses that will start trials in Mackay later this year,” Minister Bailey said. 

From the $27.5 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2021-22 to 2024-25, approximately $17.5 billion is going to be invested in regional Queensland and will support 15,870 jobs. 

“Travel anywhere across our state, and you’ll see that investment at work creating jobs and driving our economy,” Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said. 

Below is the list of key investments under QTRIP 2021-22 to 2024-25. 

Key road investments (includes jointly funded with the Australian Government) 

• $2.1 billion for Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway upgrades in north Brisbane 
• $1.065 billion Rockhampton Ring Road 
• $1 billion Pacific Motorway Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade 
• $1 billion funding commitment for Pacific Motorway Daisy hill to Logan Motorway 
• $1 billion Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section D 
• $932.2 million Bruce Highway Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway upgrade 
• $750 million Pacific Motorway Eight Mile Plaines to Daisy Hill upgrade 
• $662.5 million Bruce Highway Caboolture – Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way upgrade 
• $543.9 million funding for the Warrego Highway 
• $514.3 million Bruce Highway Haughton River Floodplain upgrade 
• $500 million funding injection to the Bruce Highway (program details, timing and Australian Government funding contribution subject to negotiation with the Australian Government, noting the Queensland Government’s priorities for this additional investment include improvements to section between Gladstone and Rockhampton, and between Mackay and Proserpine) 
• $500 million funding commitment towards upgrades of the Inland Freight Route (Charters Towers to Mungindi) 
• $481 million Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3), Edmonton to Gordonvale 
• $359 million Cairns Ring Road (Cairns CBD to Smithfield) 
• $350 million Mckay Port Access (Bruce Highway to Mackay – Slade Point Road) 
• $320 million Mooloolah River interchange upgrade (Stage 1) 
• $301.3 million Bruce Highway, Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges upgrade 
• $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road, Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway duplication 
• $244 million Centenary Bridge upgrade 
• $237.5 million funding for the Mount Isa to Rockhampton corridor 
• $230 million Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5) 

Key rail investments (includes some jointly funded with the Australian Government and local governments) 

• $5.4 billion Cross River Rail (100% funded by the Palaszczuk Government and being delivered by the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority) 
• $4.156 billion New Generation Rollingstock being delivered as a Public Private Partnership 
• $1.044 billion Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 3) Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads (with project costs subject to the finalisation of contract negotiations) 
• $646.4 million European Train Control System Level 2 upgrades 
• $600 million Rollingstock Expansion Project 
• $550.8 million North Coast Line – Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) 
• $486.9 million train station upgrades at various locations including Albion, Auchenflower, Banyo, Buranda, Cannon Hill, Faifield to Salisbury, Lindum, Morningside, Southbank, Wooloowin, Bundamba, East Ipswich, Burpengary and Dakabin 
• $356.2 million Gold Coast rail line (Kuraby to Beenleigh) capacity improvement preconstruction activities 
• $292.6 million Clapham Yard Stabling (Moorooka) construction 
• $255 million New Generation Rollingstock, European Train Control System fitment, install new signalling 
• $163 million funding commitment for the Beams Road (Carseldine) rail level crossing 
• $146 million funding commitment for the Boundary Road (Coopers Plains) rail level crossing (project cost, timing and funding arrangements subject to further planning and negotiations with Brisbane City Council) 
• $120 million Queensland Government funding commitment for three new Gold Coast railway stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Worongary/Merrimac 
• $114.2 million Mayne Yard (Mayne) upgrade 
• $95.1 million Loganlea train station relocation 

Key targeted road safety projects (includes some jointly funded with the Australian Government) 

• $57 million Strathpine – Samford Road (Eatons Crossing Road and Mount Samson Road) intersection and safety improvements 
• $41.8 million Isis Highway (Bundaberg – Childers) safety improvements at various locations 
• $37.5 million Kennedy Highway (Mareeba – Atherton) targeted road safety improvements 
• $33.9 million Nerang – Murwillumbah Road safety treatments (various locations) 
• $28.8 million Morayfield Road and Beerburrum Road intersection improvements (various locations) 
• $21.7 million Captain Cook Highway (Cairns – Mossman) Section 2 safety improvements 

Other public transport infrastructure highlights (includes some jointly funded with the Australian Government and local governments) 

• $82 million for park ‘n’ ride upgrades at Coomera, Beenleigh, Ferny Grove and Carseldine train stations 
• $72 million Northern Transitway 
• $34.1 million Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry terminals upgrade 
• $30 million Eastern Transitway (Stage 1) 
• $21 million Greenbank bus facility park ‘n’ ride upgrade 

Significant active transport infrastructure investments (includes some jointly funded with the Australian Government and local governments) 

• $22.5 million Queensland Government funding commitment for the Riverwalk (Kangaroo Point), Mowbray park to Captain Burke park 
• $24 million Cairns Southern Access Cycleway 
• $20 million Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads cycleway (associated with Gold Coast Light Rail, Stage 3) 
• $14.5 million Veloway 1 (V1) cycleway, O’Keefe Street bridge 
• $10 million Queensland Government funding commitment for the South Brisbane bike network 

Maritime infrastructure projects 

• $12.1 million Spit Masterplan (Southport), northern end of Main Beach, implement spit masterplan 
• $12 million funding for the Boating Infrastructure Program 
• $9 million Molongle Creek (Gumlu) channel deepening 
• $9 million Yorkeys Knob, construct boat ramp and floating walkways 
• $8 million Yorkeys Knob boat launching facility landslide works (jointly funded with Cairns Regional Council) 

The four-year QTRIP investment will also maintain funding for councils through the successful Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme, with $280 million. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Infrastructure Magazine; Moreton Daily; Queensland Country Life; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads