The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments have announced that they will jointly invest an additional $415 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades across the state.
On Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the Queensland economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding of nearly $1.9 billion to Queensland in the past eight months.”
“This package builds on the fast-tracking of $1.4 billion for infrastructure in Queensland which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most,” Mr Morrison stated.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding injection would support local jobs and businesses while providing lasting infrastructure.
“We have worked closely with State, Territory and Local Governments to identify shovel-ready projects right across the country to strengthen the economy and get money flowing into jobs and businesses as soon as possible.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland and Australian Governments would continue working closely together to support local jobs and the economy as soon as possible.
“Investing in lasting infrastructure projects now will also benefit Queenslanders in the years to come, strengthening our economy in the long run,” the Premier said.
“Shovel-ready upgrades we’re investing in include the Burke and Gregory Developmental roads as well as smaller works right across the regional network to improve safety, accessibility and flood immunity.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge added that the funding injection will also deliver shovel-ready fixes for projects like the Gateway Motorway Flyover.
“It’ll mean we can help bust congestion on this busy bridge that has more than 40,000 vehicles travelling northbound every single day,” Mr Tudge said.
“Not only will investing in safer and more efficient road networks help save lives and time, it will strengthen the national economy by ensuring communities are connected with jobs and services and businesses with markets,” he commented.
The jointly-funded roads package will support a further 700 jobs for Queenslanders. The Commonwealth has committed $324.3 million and Queensland Government has committed $90.3 million for the package. Commonwealth funding for the package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works.
QLD Infrastructure Package:
Shovel-ready projects:
Tamborine-Oxenford Road: Howard Creek upgrade
Federal Funding: $8 million
Total Funding: $10 million
Gateway Motorway: Flyover
Federal funding: $12.3 million
Total funding: $24.6 million
Cloncurry–Dajarra Road
Federal funding: $16 million
Total funding: $20 million
Gregory Developmental Road (Charters Towers to The Lynd)
Federal funding: $20 million
Total funding: $25 million
Richmond–Winton Road
Federal funding: $10.4 million
Total funding: $13 million
Burke Developmental Road
Federal funding: $11.2 million
Total funding: $14 million
Regional Economic Enabling Fund
Federal funding: $126.4 million
Total funding: $158.1 million
Road safety upgrades:
Kennedy Highway (Mareeba to Atherton)
Federal funding: $30 million
Total funding: $37.5 million
Audio Tactile Line Markings (Statewide)
Federal funding: $16 million
Total funding: $20 million
D’Aguilar Highway (Caboolture to Yarraman)
Federal funding: $15.2 million
Total funding: $19 million
Peak Downs Highway (Mackay and Eton)
Federal funding: $14.4 million
Total funding: $18 million
Glasshouse Mountains Road (Beerburrum and Palmview)
Federal funding: $14.4 million
Total funding: $18 million
Beaudesert Beenleigh Road (Beaudesert and Wolffdene)
Federal funding: $14.4 million
Total funding: $18 million
Beenleigh Redland Bay Road (Cornubia and Redland Bay)
Federal funding: $15.6 million
Total funding: $19.5 million