The Palaszczuk Government's 2023-24 Budget confirms an ongoing pipeline of rail infrastructure investment to continue delivering its vision for more frequent, reliable, and accessible rail journeys for Queenslanders.
The investment is part of the Palaszczuk Government's $32.1 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2023-24 to 2026-27 which will continue to support an average of 25,200 jobs across the state.
QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 invests $9.6 billion towards rail infrastructure.
This affordable and sustainable investment in rail continues to deliver on key priorities set out in SEQ Rail Connect – the Queensland Government's blueprint for preparing the South East Queensland (SEQ) rail network for the future.
It will deliver new trains and new stations and lay the foundations for a modernised network, including critical track upgrades, signalling improvements, and station upgrades.
The investment in rail will continue to drive our economic recovery, supporting jobs and delivering on previous project commitments while promoting economic confidence and responsible project delivery.
The QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 includes rail infrastructure investments such as:
- $4.869 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program 1804
- $2.598 billion towards Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (jointly funded with the Australian Government) 2365067
- $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) (jointly funded with the Australian Government) 858087
- $500 million New Gold Coast Stations (Pimpama, Hope Island, Merrimac) 2316082
QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 also features a $4.3 billion investment led by Queensland Rail including close to $300 million towards continue the South-East Queensland Station Accessibility Upgrade Program.
Banyo, Bundamba, Burpengary, Lindum and Morningside stations will each be upgraded to enhance access for customers with disabilities, seniors and parents travelling with young children.
All stations will have lifts installed to help with boarding as well as hearing augmentation loops, new tactile services to better navigate the stations and active transport enclosures to enable customers to ride to and safely store their bikes or scooters at each station.
The QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 encompasses a range of infrastructure investment including road, rail, passenger transport, active transport and maritime projects, which will all contribute to enhancing connectivity, improving safety, and supporting economic growth across the state.
Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:
"Continued investment into infrastructure such as the $2.598 billion towards Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail and the $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) (both jointly funded with the Australian Government) will transform the rail network in South East Queensland.
"These projects will mean less time sitting in congestion, and our network more accessible for customers.
"With Queensland continuing to be the state of choice, our population is booming and rail is a sensible and environmentally sustainable solution for moving lots of people around efficiently.
"Cross River Rail will establish a second river crossing, unlocking a key bottleneck in our rail network.
Our investments demonstrate we are not just building Cross River Rail, we are building a new network."
QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 is available online: www.tmr.qld.gov.au/qtriponline.
