Budget to bring Brisbane cancer centre to life but SEQ City Deal unclear

The Queensland Cancer Centre will go ahead at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after $375 million was allocated for it in Tuesday’s federal budget.

The Queensland government announced the proposed $750 million 150-bed centre on June 13.

There is no agreement between the Queensland and Australian governments on the long-debated 50:50 spilt on health funding.Credit: Nicolas Walker

“There are approximately 31,000 cancer diagnoses and over 9400 deaths in Queensland each year,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, welcoming the announcement.

Construction on the centre, which will have access to oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses and allied health professionals, is set to begin in 2024 and take about four years.

However, there is no agreement between the Queensland and Australian governments on the long-debated 50:50 spilt on health funding.

Other Queensland projects funded in Tuesday’s federal budget include:

Rail crossings removed

Two Brisbane rail crossings - one in Acacia Ridge and one in Coorparoo - will be removed after $233 million was set aside to match Queensland government and Brisbane City Council funding.

SEQ’s $1.8 billion City Deal

The budget includes $363.9 million over four years towards the $1.8 billion Southeast Queensland City Deal signed in March with previous prime minister Scott Morrison.

The SEQ City Deal co-ordinates funding from the three levels of government to chosen projects to deliver productivity improvements for south-east Queensland.

Details of where that $363.9 million will be spent remain unclear, seven months later.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner signing the SEQ City Deal at the Gabba.Credit: Tony Moore

Over several years, the SEQ City Deal is meant to contribute $450 million to public transport links at the new Gabba train station, $190.2 million to Brisbane City Council’s green bridge, $3 million to a business case for Brisbane’s long-awaited First Nations Museum and $10 million towards the business case for rail in the rapidly-expanding Springfield and Ipswich area.

A spokeswoman for federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the allocation of money towards specific projects would be outlined in an implementation plan due in 2022.

Transport

The budget contains $586 million for the Bruce Highway on Brisbane’s northern edge, promised during the federal election.

On the Gold Coast, the budget for the next stage of the Gold Coast light rail project - from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads - increased by $300 million to $1.1 billion over four years. Planning has begun on the fourth stage from Burleigh to the Gold Coast Airport.

Construction of stage three of the Gold Coast light rail project is under way.Credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads

On the Sunshine Coast, $6 million will allow detailed planning of the spur rail line from the main Sunshine Coast rail line out to Maroochydore from Beerwah.

“The study is already under way, which when completed next year will provide us with a more accurate cost estimate for a direct Sunshine Coast line,” Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.

This rail corridor - which needs to take in future Fast Rail capability - will be finalised in 2023.

Other transport funding includes:

• $7.7 million for the Port of Bundaberg;
• $200 million towards the previously announced widening of the Bruce Highway between Anzac Avenue and Dohles Rock Road.
• $22.5 million towards the $45 million upgrade of Loganlea Road with Logan City Council.
• $3.38 million towards the Ipswich to Springfield Rail Extension Business Case.

Education

There is $107.9 million to fund free TAFE places in Queensland for the next 12 months.

Domestic violence

The budget allocates $39.8 million to trial initiatives to support women and children experiencing violence.

Environment

The budget sets aside $41 million for Queensland projects to respond to the ban on the export of waste paper, plastic, glass and tyres.

Also, $15.3 million is set aside for a Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre at Central Queensland University in Gladstone, part of the extra $204 million to make $1.2 billion for the Barrier Reef.

A total of $20 million will be dedicated to assist corals to evolve in damaged and degraded reefs.