Federal Budget to deliver $1.3bn for Queensland road projects
The Morrison Government is set to splash $1.3 billion on major transport infrastructure projects around the state including a major injection to ensure one of the state’s most anticipated projects goes ahead. Thousands of jobs will be created. SEE WHERE THE MONEY WILL GO
QLD News
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The first stage of the second M1 between Logan and the Gold Coast, the duplication of the Centenary Bridge, and a $76m commitment to a road in the state election battleground of Townsville are centrepieces of the Federal Government’s Budget to be announced tomorrow.
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The $1.3bn spending bonanza matches state Labor promises to ensure projects are shovel ready to begin construction immediately.
The cash splash will extend to projects from the southeast corner north to Cape York and out to the NT border with nearly 4000 direct and indirect jobs expected to be created.
A $750m injection for the second M1, or Coomera Connector, between Loganholme and Nerang, is the centrepiece of the new funding which follows $400m in previous transport commitments.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Coalition had worked closely with the Queensland Government to invest in projects that were “ready to go” and could help rebuild the economy and create more jobs.
“These projects will keep commuters safe on the road, get people home to their loved ones sooner and provide better transport links for urban and regional communities,” he said.
“As part of the COVID-19 economic recovery plan we have invested an additional $1.7bn focused on shovel-ready projects across the state.
“This latest investment will provide another boost to the local economy and is part of our plan to support an estimated 5,150 direct and indirect jobs across the state.”
The Commonwealth funding for the second M1 matches the Queensland Government’s $750m commitment and ensures stage one, a 16km section linking Nerang and Coomera, will go ahead.
The three-year project is expected to start mid next year and create 700 direct jobs, according to government documents.
Under the full $1.3bn package to be announced today, the Commonwealth will partner with the Queensland Government to fund 16 projects across the state to improve safety, cut congestion and boost the economy.
In the southeast corner, major upgrades are slated for the Centenary Bridge ($112m), Bruce Hwy on the Sunshine Coast ($95.2m), Beams Rd level crossing ($50m) and Mt Lindesay Hwy at Jimboomba ($42.4).
Major regional projects include upgrades to four separate sections of the Bruce Hwy worth a combined $85.9m, Riverway Dve stage two in Townsville ($76m) and the Cooktown to Weipa corridor on Cape York ($38m).
It comes as Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick revealed the state’s infrastructure wish list for federal funding in the Budget.
He said the main priority was for ongoing and additional funding for the Bruce Hwy on an 80:20 split.
Three projects including the second M1 that are set to be confirmed today were also on the wish list.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said the projects would “draw on local businesses to stimulate local economies through these projects”.
“Infrastructure means jobs, it means livelihoods, it means stronger local communities and it means building a better and more secure future for our nation,” he said.
Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the package would put key infrastructure “back on track in Brisbane, southeast Queensland and across the state”.
Funding also included $20m for a Bruce Hwy upgrade strategy and $5.3m for a business case for the second M1.
The Project New Funds Jobs*
Second M1 stage 1 $750m 700
Second M1 business case $5.3m -
Centenary Bridge $112m 670
Bruce Hwy Caloundra Rd to Sunshine Motorway $95.2m 680
Riverway Drive Stage 2 Townsville $76m 280
Beams Rd open level crossing $50m 740
Mt Lindesay Hwy Johanna St to South St $42.4m 150
Cooktown to Weipa corridor upgrade $38m 140
Bruce Hwy Burdekin Bridge upgrade $38m 27
Bruce Hwy Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade $29.6m 225
Bruce Hwy upgrade strategy $20m -
Cairns to NT border upgrade $17.2m 60
Bruce Hwy - Cairns southern access corridor $15.7m 113
M1 Pacific Mwy exit 45 $10m 60
Townsville to Roma corridor upgrade $4.8m 10
Bruce Hwy - Babinda Intersection upgrade $2.6m 11
Cunningham Hwy - Eight Mile intersection upgrade $2.4m 50
Currumbin Creek Rd - Bienvenue Drv intersection upgrade $2m 16
Total $1311.2m 3932
(*Jobs - direct and indirect)
