2025-6 Budget reveal shows transport and hospital projects get green light but not light rail
The Crisafulli Government has delivered its first State Budget, with millions for key infrastructure projects and election promises. WINNERS AND LOSERS REVEALED
Gold Coast
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Treasurer David Janetzki says the Crisafulli Government’s first budget continues to build major Gold Coast projects including the Coomera Connector and hospital while reducing debt.
The 2025 Budget delivered on Tuesday shows major spending will continue on finishing the first stage of the second M1 with the state government revealing another budget blowout for the project of almost half a billion dollars. The Coomera Connector now expected to cost $3.5 billion, up from $2.16 billion in 2023.
Funding will also flow for the much-awaited new Coomera Hospital, while the Government will fund a key pre-election promise to create a police beat at Burleigh.
The Government’s other promise — before last October State’s poll — to review and conduct community consultation on light rail Stage Four to the border, sees no fresh funding for that project despite it being part of the Gold Coast City Council’s long-term transport plan.
“Stage Four, we know that’s undergoing a review. That review is being conducted. People need to be listened to, that’s what’s happening on the Gold Coast,” Mr Janetzki said.
In his first budget speech, the Treasurer said it was a fresh start which showed “respect for taxpayers’ money” and reduced debt.
“When the true state of the books was revealed in January, it seemed the task was impossible. But the work we have done since coming to government is reflected today in the Budget I deliver,” he said.
“It honours our election commitments. It delivers cost of living relief that is responsible and recurrent, targeted and timely. It funds services that would have ceased and jobs that would have ended. It saves infrastructure and projects that would have never been built.”
One of the few budget sweeteners is the announcement of $100 per student provided to all Queensland schools from Prep to Year 6 to help families with out-of-pocket expenses.
The Budget also includes $2bn to fast-track greenfield and infill housing developments, with half to be spent in the 2025-26 financial year.
Mr Janetzki believes the Gold Coast City Council will access the scheme which fast tracks critical infrastructure works like water, power and transport to get land ready to build homes sooner.
Key Gold Coast spending for 2025-26 include:
* $610 million for the Coomera Connector, increasing to almost $1.4 billion in 2025-26;
* $360 million for light rail Stage 3 Broadbeach to Burleigh decreasing to $107 million post 2025-2026;
* $100 million for Pacific Motorway Varsity Lakes to Tugun works increasing to almost $118 million in 2025-26;
* $5.75 billion for the Gold Coast to Logan Faster Rail project to unlock extra services in the busy corridor;
* unspecified funding for the Coomera Hospital build as part of the $11.4 billion major hospital infrastructure improvements;
* more than $8 million for the Gold Coast Waterways Authority including $3 million to finish The Spit masterplan;
* a new special school at Coomera as part of a $815 million new schools commitment program.
Mr Janetzki told Parliament the total state debt was forecast to reach $205.7 billion at the end of the forward estimates in 2028–29.
Under the former Labor Government, debt was forecast to reach $217.8 billion in 2027–28 and was on a trajectory to balloon further to $252 billion in 2028–29, he said.
“Similarly, interest costs across the forwards are now forecast to be $2.3 billion lower than they would have been under Labor, which leaves more to be paid to our frontline workers rather than our lenders. Our four-year capital program is $116.8 billion,” he said.
“This demonstrates our determination to lay the foundation for the future and to deliver a better lifestyle for Queenslanders.”
Prior to the Budget’s release on Tuesday afternoon, acting Gold Coast Mayor Mark Hammel had sought confirmation of funding for the Coomera Connector “so we can get this alternative to the M1 open for motorists”.
“I’d also like to see business case funding for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 confirmed in the 2025–26 State Budget,” he said.
“While we welcome the LNP’s review of the project, all parties now need a clear understanding of the final route and total cost of Stage 4. Completing the business case will deliver those answers, and I urge the State to commit funding to get it done.
“We’re also confident the State will continue its investment in the Coomera Hospital, which is a critical project for the northern part of our city.
“With rapid population growth and limited health infrastructure in the north, this hospital is urgently needed to meet both current and future demand.”
OLYMPICS VILLAGE
The planned Olympic Games athletes village at Royal Pines will receive a share of nearly $1bn in state funding in the first major commitment to the project.
The state government has put $950m towards delivering four athletes villages ahead of the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Rockhampton and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
The money will be spread across a four-year period.
The total cost of the projects, budget documents reveal, will top $3.5bn and will be delivered in partnership with the private sector.
Premier David Crisafulli said talks were ongoing with industry for delivery of the projects.
“We did say we would go to the market and work with the private sector,” he said.
“That work is underway.”
He confirmed the state was continuing to negotiate with the federal government regarding its $3.4bn commitment to co-fund Games venues.
A multi-tower Gold Coast athletes village development was previously earmarked for Robina, but was shifted to Royal Pines following the Crisafulli Government’s 100-day review into the Games.
It is unclear how many units will be built in the project, which part of Royal Pines will be redeveloped, or what will become of it after the Games.
HOUSING
Treasurer David Janetzki says pressure will be relieved on the Gold Coast’s struggling housing sector, with a new $2bn program to fast-track development.
The state budget will contain $2bn to pave the way for more greenfield and infill housing developments, with half to be spent in the 2025-26 financial year.
The fund will support local councils and developers install critical infrastructure like water, power and transport to get land ready to build more homes sooner.
“We’ve got $1.8 billion worth of subscriptions to the first round already that could unlock 158,000 homes and, while I haven’t seen it specifically, I’m guessing Gold Coast City Council has made a serious application for some of that funding,” Mr Janetzki said.
It comes amid pleas from the Gold Coast City Council and development sector to remove regulation on the industry.
Data by real estate firm Colliers released earlier this week warned the supply of new housing is causing a cash crunch in the market, driving prices to extraordinary new highs.
The research shows 2464 dwellings were approved on the Gold Coast between July 1 and May this year, 62 per cent below the 6500 target set by the state government.
The Property Council of Australia and consulting firm Urbis also released a report earlier this month warning the city was falling further behind on its housing targets.
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