QLD economy: Rebuild should focus on range of infrastructure projects

One of the state’s most respected business figures says Queensland can claw its way back from the COVID-19 economic crisis if it focuses on these infrastructure projects and policy levers.

QUEENSLAND can claw its way back from the COVID-19 economic crisis if it focuses on infrastructure projects that deliver the best value, one of the state’s most respected business figures says.

Infrastructure Australia chair Julieanne Alroe – who is also chair of Queensland Ballet and ERM Power and is the former Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO – said a multi-pronged approached that included shovel-ready works, tackling the state’s road maintenance backlog, expediting major projects and policy reforms was critical to the state’s recovery.

It comes as The Courier-Mail today publishes a 15-point Kick-Start Queensland Action Plan derived from industries and businesses across the state.

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Fast-tracking major road and rail infrastructure projects to reboot the economy and generate employment opportunities is among the top priorities, as are relief measures for the state’s stricken tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.

Infrastructure Australia has identified upgrades to the Bruce Highway near Cooroy, Mackay and further north near Cairns, additional capacity on the M1 at the Gold Coast, planning for freight rail access from Inland Rail to the Port of Brisbane, upgrading Queensland’s inland road network and improving the Warrego Highway corridor as priority initiatives.

Ms Alroe said how fast these projects could move from concept stage to delivery would determine Queensland’s speed of recovery.

“(But) as important as these major projects are on the road to recovery, we must not forget the value of smaller projects,” Ms Alroe said.

“While it may not draw the same ribbon-cutting fanfare and attention as new train lines and

motorways, road maintenance is a great example of the need to prioritise a smaller program of work and one that can greatly benefit Queensland.

“In 2017, the Queensland Audit Office identified that the state faced a road maintenance backlog of $4 billion. Without intervention that number is expected to increase to $9 billion over the next few years.

“A road maintenance program can generate high involvement of labour, trade and skills and still deliver significant benefits in improved safety and reducing transport costs for the growing Queensland freight industry and for individual road users.”

Infrastructure Australia chair Julieanne Alroe.

Ms Alroe said Queensland must also make “tougher” reform decisions of state planning systems and policy interventions to accelerate and boost productivity.

Influential Brisbane business group, the Committee for Brisbane, has also called for major

projects to be fast-tracked and an infrastructure investment plan developed to attract private sector money in an economic recovery blueprint tabled with council.

The Committee for Brisbane – whose advisory board includes Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson, AEG Ogden chief Harvey Lister and News Corp Queensland managing director Jason Scott – says it’s crucial government engages the business community as part of the recovery effort.

“Brisbane’s reputation will be determined by how we manage the response to the pandemic and how we plan for recovery - by improving the economy, maintaining a collaborative government, and benefiting our society. That task is too big for government alone,” Committee CEO Barton Green said.

“The Committee for Brisbane has developed recommendations and suggestions for Council that have been prepared by experienced businesspeople who represent a wide-cross section of the south east Queensland economy - and who are dealing, daily, with the impacts of the pandemic.”

The Committee’s plan calls for greater urgency from state and local government on major projects such as Brisbane Metro, the Inland Rail to Port of Brisbane connection, Brisbane Live and Cross River Rail’s precincts strategy.

It also wants Brisbane City Council’s major tourism and economic development plans reviewed to take in the impact of COVID-19, a “root and branch” review to improve planning assessment and approval processes, and the development of a Brisbane Infrastructure Investment Plan to attract more private sector investment in infrastructure.

The council’s Economic Recovery chair Councillor Adam Allan said the taskforce had a large number of submissions from the business and wider community on policy and project ideas to stimulate Brisbane’s recovery. 

“We thank the Committee for Brisbane’s federal, state and local government project suggestions, many of which are already being considered,” Cr Allan said.

“The Business in Brisbane – Economic Recovery Taskforce Survey distributed to 15,000 businesses to get their feedback and ideas is open until June 12. The taskforce has also called for submissions from key industry groups.”