Backing local jobs was the focus of the Treasurer's post budget speech on Monday night at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad spoke with local businesses and community members about how the Budget would deliver for Ipswich with large investments in jobs, infrastructure and frontline services throughout the region.
"This is a Budget for all Queenslanders," Ms Trad said.
"We're investing in job-generating infrastructure and the frontline services that the Ipswich region needs.
"Over the next 12 months Palaszczuk Government will invest nearly $896 million in local infrastructure and support an estimated 2000 jobs in the process."
Ms Trad said local business was also an important focus of the Budget.
"That's why we've increased the payroll tax-free threshold," she said.
"Our $885 million Payroll Tax Package will help 270 Ipswich businesses take on additional workers and help grow the economy.
"Since the Palaszczuk Government's election in 2015, around 207,000 new jobs have been created across the state, and we want that to continue."
Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government had worked hard to restore the frontline services that were axed by the LNP.
"This Budget will invest $642.8 million in health for this region and almost $107.3 million to maintain and upgrade schools in the Ipswich region.
"Our investment in frontline services has delivered 524 extra nurses, 164 new doctors, 556 additional teachers and 221 extra teacher aides, based right here in Greater Ipswich since 2015."
Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said she welcomed the budget's $238 million investment in the Ipswich Motorway, with projects including constructing additional lanes between Oxley Road and Granard Road.
"We are delivering on our election promises and ensuring that our key infrastructure can keep up with our fast-growing population.
"We're also delivering a major overhaul to the Swanbank E electricity generator and Wivenhoe Dam as part of the new publicly owned, low emissions CleanCo electricity generation company."
Other significant projects funded in the 2019-20 Budget include:
- $2.53 million for additional classrooms at Springfield Central State High School.
- $550,000 to upgrade Woodcrest State College.
- Over $1,000,000 to upgrade schools across the Jordan electorate.
- $869,171 as part of a $2,625,943 commitment over four years to provide Mental Health Funding Program services
- $7.2 million capital, safety and maintenance investment in training infrastructure at Ipswich TAFE.
- $2.4 million 2019-20 to upgrade Springfield Central train station park 'n' ride facility to provide an additional 650 car spaces, at a total cost of $44.5 million.
"The Palaszczuk Government's Budget for Ipswich and the greater Ipswich region invests in the jobs of today and the jobs of the future while ensuring we have the frontline services our growing region needs," Ms Mullen said.
