Billions of dollars of investment and tens of thousands of jobs are being delivered by the Palaszczuk Government on transport and roads projects in regional Queensland.
The Premier told Parliament today that over the next four years, her government's Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program is delivering $12.6 billion in infrastructure outside the Brisbane region, supporting more than 11,000 jobs.
"Regional Queensland is the lifeblood of this state and a key contributor to the Queensland economy, particularly for our agriculture, natural resources and tourism sectors," the Premier said.
"This funding is so much more than upgrading important rural and regional roads, it's the gateway to the regions' economic development.
"We are backing locals, workers, and small business through this funding."
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the Bruce was the main artery connecting our regional communities and the Palaszczuk Government was backing the Bruce all the way.
"Under the jointly funded 15 year Bruce Highway program, the Palaszczuk Government is spending $1.3 Billion on Bruce upgrades over the next four years," Mr Bailey said.
"On top of that, we have committed $200 million a year of additional funding as part of our Bruce Highway Trust commitment.
"This is in addition to our $236 million we are delivering for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) in regional areas to partner with councils – a program the LNP slashed half the funding to.
"The Palaszczuk Government's commitment to transport and road infrastructure stands in stark contrast to the LNP who cut more than $600 million from the Queensland Transport Roads and Investment Program when in government.
"The Palaszczuk Government invests in roads and transport infrastructure across Queensland to create jobs - the LNP only know cutting, sacking and selling."
The Palaszczuk Government roads and transport program includes:
Cairns region:
- The $152 million Smithfield bypass is on track for completion next year and is supporting 115 jobs – 100 per cent funded by the Palaszczuk Government.
- The $381 Bruce Highway upgrade between Edmonton and Gordonvale, including $96.2 million from the Queensland Government that will support 466 jobs
- The $104.1 Bruce Highway upgrade south of the Cairns CBD between Kate Street and Aumuller Street that will create 113 jobs, including $20.8 million from the Palaszczuk Government
- The $276 million Cape York Region Package supporting Indigenous training and jobs – with $52.1 million funded by the Palaszczuk Government
Townsville region:
- The Palaszczuk Government has committed $102.9 million towards the Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade Project on the Bruce Highway 50 kilometres south of Townsville.
- The Palaszczuk Government has provided $42 million for pavement widening and strengthening of the Gregory Development Road from Charters Towers to the Lynd due to be completed next year.
- In January this year, the Palaszczuk Government completed the Cape River Bridge a $35 million project on the Gregory Development Road.
- In October last year we completed the $43.5 million first stage of Riverway Drive near Townsville that supported 82 jobs.
Rockhampton region:
- The Palaszczuk Government committed $200 million to the Rockhampton Ring Road which will support 780 jobs.
- $24 million towards the Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade
Mackay region:
- The Palaszczuk Government has invested $99 million towards the Mackay Ring Road stage 1 where 1,000 workers have been inducted on-site – and 80 per cent of those are locals
- $30 million towards the Walkerston Bypass that supports another 200 jobs.
- $18 million towards the Mackay Northern Access Upgrade Project
- This follows the Palaszczuk Government's delivery of the $28 million Vines Creek Bridges in Mackay last year that supported 42 jobs
Gladstone region:
- The Palaszczuk Government has committed $20 million to improve safety along the Gladstone-Benaraby Roa
Wide Bay region:
- The Palaszczuk Government has committed to the $12 million Burnett River Rail bridge upgrade and that the $335 million NGR train rectification will be delivered in Maryborough supporting 100 local jobs.
- $200 million towards the Bruce Highway – Cooroy to Curra (Section D) supporting 576 jobs, with preconstruction works underway ]
Outback region:
- The Palaszczuk Government has committed $641.4 million supporting 932 direct jobs on roads and transport projects in the Central West, North West and South West.
- This includes $40 million for a western roads package including $13 million for the Diamantina Developmental road.
- Delivering the sealing of the remaining 42 kilometres of the Kennedy Development Road with Queensland funding 20 per cent of this $53 million project.
