The new Queensland State Budget will support job growth through $42.75 billion in funding over four years for metropolitan and regional infrastructure projects.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Curtis Pitt, said the 2017-18 State Budget would deliver jobs for Queensland.
“This year’s Queensland Budget will directly support around 40,000 jobs in 2017-18, including an estimated 22,000 jobs in regional Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.
“It includes a massive $42.75 billion allocation over four years for metropolitan and regional infrastructure projects that would support thousands of jobs for Queensland.
“This follows the $40 billion allocation over four years in the 2016-17 Budget.”
Mr Pitt said the capital program included more than $3.8 billion for roads and transport projects, such as construction of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and widening the Gateway Motorway North to six lanes.
“These projects are examples of where the Queensland and Federal Governments can work together to fund projects.”
Mr Pitt said while the Budget contained $2.8 billion to start the Cross River Rail project in South East Queensland, it delivered vital infrastructure for communities right across Queensland.
“There is $604 million for school facilities and $916 million for health capital works across Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Budget will see $4.8 billion invested in infrastructure this year across regional Queensland, including Mackay, Outback, Far North Queensland, Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Darling Downs and Townsville, that will directly support 14,500 jobs.”
Projects include:
- $70 million in 2017-18 for the construction of the Mackay Ring Road – a $498 million project in partnership with the Australian Government
- The $200 million expansion of the Capricornia Correctional Centre near Rockhampton is expected to ease overcrowding in the prison system, and will support 100 construction and 70 ongoing jobs
- $120 million for the Cairns Shipping Development Project, a much needed project to deliver growth in cruise shipping and jobs in the tourism sector and associated suppliers of goods and services — also subject to an EIS and business case
- $176 million to expand the Cairns Convention Centre into a state-of-the-art international venue
- $225 million over four years to address long-term water security in the Townsville region
- A state contribution of $140 million to the $250 million North Queensland Stadium to support around 750 jobs in design and construction, with many of those positions being filled by people from the Townsville region
- A down-payment of up to $75 million for channel widening at the Port of Townsville to facilitate more trade and investment and to ensure Townsville is well positioned for future growth and jobs — subject to finalisation of an environmental impact statement and business case assessment
- $2 million to support the planned relocation of the Rockhampton Regional Council’s city art gallery
“In addition, while the Turnbull Government has not yet agreed to the proposal to fund a Rockhampton flood levee under Category D of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, we have set aside the necessary funds for our share of this important project,” Mr Pitt said.
