More than 13,500 jobs are on the cards for regional Queensland after the Palaszczuk Government today outlined its record $14.5 billion regional roads and transport program.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said over the next four years, the Palaszczuk Government's budget would focus on creating jobs, building roads and transport infrastructure for regional Queensland, and supporting local business and industry.
"From Cape York, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay through to Central Queensland, the Darling Downs, North West and Wide Bay Burnett, regional Queensland is the big winner in our record roads and transport investment program," Mr Bailey said.
"When our regions thrive, Queensland thrives, so this budget will ensure tens of thousands of jobs are created in the regions, supporting their population growth and economic development.
"Our regional commitment to roads will make the Bruce Highway safer and more flood-resilient. It will seal more of the Peninsula Development Road, supporting Indigenous employment.
"We will work with the Australian Government to develop better inland freight routes, with $50 million committed towards Townsville to Tennant Creek corridor upgrades, and $25 million towards Townsville to Roma corridor upgrades.
"$70 million has been secured for the Mackay Port Access Road, adding to ongoing funding for the construction of $497.3 million Mackay Ring Road and $150 million Walkerston Bypass. A new port access road will help move freight quicker and easier than ever before, and remove heavy vehicles from the streets of Mackay.
"We're getting on with the job of delivering for Cairns, with $71 million for the Cairns Ring Road, $45 million for the region's southern access upgrade and $16.3 million from project savings to kick-start the Harley Street intersection upgrade. This is on top of our fully-funded $152 million Smithfield Bypass project, which is underway right now.
"Funding is locked in for Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 and the Mount Isa rail line upgrade, improving freight movement and opportunities from the North West to Townsville.
"$200 million in State funding has been locked in for the Rockhampton Ring Road, while a further $16 million has been committed to match federal funding to duplicate the road from Rocky to Yeppoon and we'll continue to deliver the Rockhampton Northern Access project, driving road safety and supporting growth in the region.
"We will seal more of the Cloncurry to Dajarra Road with a $3 million commitment, and more than $12 million for the Queensland section of Savannah Way, unlocking better connectivity for regional communities and tourism.
"I'm pleased to announce the State will provide $2 million towards upgrading the Bargara Road, Princess Street and Scotland Street intersection, with $850,00 to be invested in the Royle Street upgrade at Maryborough alongside $850,000 to upgrade Poona Road and Maaroom Road – and $6 million towards the Torbanlea - Pialba Road floodway upgrades.
"Improvements on the Warrego Highway west of Toowoomba will continue, and we will work with the Federal Government to plan and deliver improvements east of Toowoomba, and on the Cunningham Highway with an additional jointly funded $600 million boost.
"$280 million will also be unlocked to help councils across Queensland build local roads through our Transport Infrastructure Development program.
"Coastal and riverside communities will also score more than $100 million over four years to help build new boat ramps, pontoons, jetties and floating walkways.
"This is a program that builds on our achievements and job-creating infrastructure for regional Queensland since 2015. It forms part of a record $23 billion, four-year roads and transport program that will support more than 21,500 jobs across the state.
"Our $14.5 billion transport program is an investment in regional jobs and business that sets the agenda for building the infrastructure regional Queensland needs.
"The Palaszczuk Government's previous budgets created the pipeline of major infrastructure projects that today employ thousands of Queenslanders.
"From the Smithfield Bypass north of Cairns to the Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade to the sealing being done on Cape York, people are turning up to work on-site today because the Palaszczuk Government backed these projects.
"This year's QTRIP outlines the future projects we believe need to be prioritised for Queenslanders.
"The Palaszczuk Government will continue to work with the Federal Government, local governments and the private sector to ensure this pipeline of investment continues to support Queensland communities and create local jobs."
Major projects, including projects jointly-funded with the Federal Government:
- $1 billion Bruce Highway upgrade – Cooroy to Curra (Section D)
- $514.3 million construction of the Haughton River Floodplain upgrade on the Bruce Highway between Horseshoe Lagoon and Palm Creek
- $497.4 million construction of the Mackay Ring Road (stage 1) project
- $481 million construction of the Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor (stage 3)
- $400 million for the Warrego Upgrade Program
- $250 million Townsville to Tennant Creek corridor upgrades
- $212.5 million for the Cunningham Highway
- $189.3 million upgrade of the Peak Downs Highway at Eton Range
- $180 million construction of the Bruce Highway – Townsville Ring Road (stage 5)
- $152 million construction of the Smithfield Bypass project between McGregor Road and Caravonica roundabouts in Cairns
- $125 million Townsville to Roma corridor upgrades
- $121 million duplication, from two to four lanes, the Bruce Highway Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade (stage 1) between Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road and Parkhurst
- $110.6 million construction of additional lanes on the Bruce Highway between Ron Camm Bridge and Mackay Ring Road (stage 1), as part of the Mackay Northern Access Upgrade project
- $104.1 million construction of the Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor (stage 4) (Kate Street to Aumuller Street)
- $160.8 million (Queensland Government contribution) towards the $550.8 million commitment towards upgrading of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Nambour
- $87.7 million Townsville to Mount Isa Rail Line
- $68.2 million North Coast Line capacity improvement project (passing loops)
- $62.5 million Toowoomba (Gore Highway) to Seymour corridor upgrades
- $7.4 million for upgrades to Shute Harbour Road
- $5 million upgrade of the Yeppoon Rail Line
- $23.3 million upgrading of Clump Point boating infrastructure at Mission Beach
- $9 million dredging to deepen the Molongle Creek channel
- $3.5 million construction of the Shute Harbour Road boating facility
- $1.4 million Corbetts Landing boat ramp upgrade and floating walkway
