The Queensland Government has released the State Infrastructure Plan (SIP) 2019 Update, highlighting strong delivery of infrastructure and economic growth over four years.
The annual SIP update showcases the lowest infrastructure underspend in a decade, the second highest pipeline of public and private infrastructure projects in the country, and the facilitation of significant private investment throughout the state.
Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, said the update outlines the jobs, projects and investment opportunities being delivered by the government.
“Our key priority is to create and support jobs for Queenslanders,” said Mr Dick, addressing a peak industry meeting organised by the Infrastructure Association of Queensland, Engineers Australia and Consult Group.
“The next four years will see a $49.5 billion infrastructure investment across Queensland, including $12.9 billion over the next 12 months, which will support up to 40,500 local jobs.
“More than 160 infrastructure proposals are in the planning phase of the 2019 pipeline, including 67 new projects, and 40 proposals have moved from planning into delivery since 2018 and will be delivered in the next four years.”
Mr Dick said since 2015, the government had focused keenly on reducing capital program under-expenditure so that Queenslanders know the infrastructure promised is being delivered.
“Our careful management will see us achieving a near-zero per cent underspend for 2018–19, the best performance in ten years.
“Since 2015, around 207,000 new jobs have been created for Queenslanders, and this updated SIP highlights there are plenty more on the way.
“60 per cent of this year’s infrastructure budget is being invested outside Greater Brisbane, where it will support around 25,500 jobs.
“Our strong infrastructure program underpins and unlocks private sector investment, and our state’s $147 billion public and private infrastructure pipeline is the second largest in Australia, as reported in the March 2019 Deloitte Access Economics Investment Monitor.
“Our coordinated plan gives confidence and certainty to investors, industry, other levels of government and communities right across the state.
“It shows where and when we are supporting the delivery of new or upgraded hospitals, schools, roads, ports, communication networks — all the social and economy-boosting infrastructure that underpins jobs, growth, investment and prosperity.
“The Palaszczuk Government is creating the right conditions to assist and accelerate more private investment and quickly guide the right projects smoothly from concept to robust business case and beyond.
“Diversifying the economy through embracing new technologies and priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing, defence industries, aerospace, hydrogen, biofutures and other renewables is opening new markets, while we continue to bolster traditional sectors.
“Included in this year’s update, the new Strategy for Social Infrastructure sets out a long-term direction for the planning, design, location and use of our schools, hospitals and other vital facilities to provide more efficiently and conveniently located services for Queenslanders.
“The updated SIP program shows how the government’s coordinated approach to investment is planning for and delivering the infrastructure we need now and well into the future, bringing with it jobs, services, economic development and prosperous communities.”
Infrastructure Association of Queensland CEO, Priscilla Radice, said industry welcomed the annual update of the SIP as it gave certainty around this year’s $12.9 billion investment in infrastructure.
“The SIP is a crucial investment blueprint for the state — it gives both industry and investors confidence in this market and assures the community of the government’s commitment to deliver on jobs.”
View the State Infrastructure Plan Part B: Program – 2019 update here.
