Speaking at the Infrastructure Association of Queensland (IAQ) breakfast this morning, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Steven Miles, detailed that a new State Infrastructure Strategy will be released later this year.
“Our government is focused on the whole of Queensland. That’s why a new State Infrastructure Strategy, supported by seven Regional Infrastructure Plans will be released later this year,” the Deputy Premier said.
“The state-wide strategy will set out a more contemporary infrastructure agenda based on economic recovery.”
“The seven regional infrastructure plans will drill down to support recovery and resilience at a regional level.”
“These will provide a clear vision for infrastructure investment and prioritisation that will drive economic recovery, boost regional productivity and resilience, and sustain jobs.”
Mr Miles invited Queenslanders to help shape this work and identify priorities for their region by completing a survey online. He noted that targeted stakeholder engagement will also begin soon. Have your say here.
The news follows the recent announcement of a Growth Areas Delivery Team for South East Queensland to facilitate partnerships between developers, local government, utility providers and the state.
“We’re committed to stimulating the economy, sustaining the construction industry, and providing for future growth by co-investing with the private sector,” the Deputy Premier told those attending the IAQ breakfast.
“Queensland’s population is booming, and we must keep up with the increased demand in infrastructure – the formation of the Growth Areas Delivery Team I announced recently, will see us do just that.”
“The Team will consider challenges affecting land supply; housing choice and affordability; land fragmentation; progressing development applications and facilitating essential urban infrastructure.”
The Deputy Premier also announced that the State Government would provide $30 million from the Building Acceleration Fund (BAF) to fast-track two infrastructure projects that will unlock land supply, job opportunities and community benefits in the south-east corner.
“The Palaszczuk Government is providing $15 million, with Lendlease co-investing $9.8 million, to unlock the next phase of the Yarrabilba development, increasing residential land supply and enabling planning to commence for community and health services,” he said.
“Construction including earthworks, water, sewer, electrical and communications mains, streetscaping and roadworks, will support around 100 jobs, pave the way for the site of Yarrabilba primary school and is expected to unlock access to over 2,000 affordable residential lots.”
“A further $15 million in funding will support construction of the Bahrs Scrub Roadworks Project, to improve access, safety and transport efficiency through Bahrs Scrub. The area is experiencing rapid growth from Frasers Property’s Brookhaven master-planned community and other surrounding communities,” Mr Miles said.
“This project could support 34 construction jobs and potentially a further 60 in supply chains, plus accelerate the development of 1780 dwellings and a retail centre.”
More information on the Building Acceleration Fund (BAF) can be found here and information on the State Infrastructure Strategy and Regional Infrastructure Plans here.