2024-25 Qld budget breakdown for Mackay Isaac Whitsundays

A $500m injection to kickstart a private company’s wind farm between Mackay and Rocky is just part of the $2bn in the state budget for the Mackay Isaac Whitsundays. See what the money buys.

While a $470 million upgrade to the Bruce Highway in the Whitsundays is being put on pending status, $500 million is going towards a private company’s wind farm between Mackay and Rockhampton.

The half-a-million dollar chunk, revealed in the 2024-25 Queensland budget handed down on Tuesday, will kick start construction on the Lotus Creek Wind Farm near St Lawrence as part of a $1.3bn total spend.

It is understood the state government decided last month that CS Energy, its own energy company, would buy the wind farm from Vestas Development, which specialises in manufacturing wind turbines.

It coincides with Vestas receiving approval from Isaac Regional Council to begin producing about 55,000 cubic metres of concrete for the installation of 46 turbine towers at the farm that will together generate enough renewable energy to supply about 189,000 homes.

The location of Vestas Development's Lotus Creek Wind Farm in Central Queensland. Picture:https://lotuscreekwindfarm.com.au/

Besides Lotus Creek, there is a further $1.5bn in the budget for education, health and infrastructure and capital works projects across the Mackay Isaac Whitsundays region.

This includes $1.3bn for “Big Build” projects including $21.4m out of a total $497.4m spend for Stage 1 of the Mackay Ring Rd to build a connection at Bald Hill Rd in Glenella; $38.5m out of a total $1bn spend for early works as part of the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project; $36.6m out of a total $153.7m spend towards the Abandoned Mine Lands Program; and $4.51m out of a total $17.23m spend on school hall projects.

And while the state government on Friday announced $470m to flood proof the notorious Goorganga Plains corridor between Mackay and Proserpine, which in January 2023 shut the Bruce Highway for several days because of heavy rains, there is no money put aside in the 2024-25 budget.

It is understood the state and federal governments are in discussions to determine when the first stage will begin, with $24m sectioned to the state’s perspective 2025-26 budget, and a further $146m tagged in the 2025-26 to 2026-27 column.

The state government is forking out $94m for the flood proof works with the federal government contributing $376 million.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert has praised her party’s budget. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said Isaac Regional Council had advocated for its Royalties Road Package for the past six months.

“At the first glance of the State Budget, it seems there are no new allocations for our region, which is disappointing,” Ms Vea Vea said.

“We respectfully requested that 2% of the $13 billion in coal mining royalties generated by our region would be reinvested into maintaining and improving our roads for the benefit of our communities, workers, industries and in turn the rest of the State.”

Despite this, Mayor Vea Vea acknowledged the state’s ongoing investments in Queensland’s inland freight route and beef corridors, which have the potential to benefit the region over the coming years.

“Our region generates over half of Queensland’s coal royalties that provide this year’s energy rebates for households, more affordable public transport, and the infrastructure for the Brisbane Olympics but Isaac communities deserve better,” Mayor Vea Vea said.

“Our communities aren’t asking for shiny new projects. We simply seek the necessary funding to maintain our critical road infrastructure.”

While Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert has praised her party’s “cost of living budget” which she says will make a “real difference” to Mackay region families and deliver infrastructure, her adversary, Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm has slammed it as a spin-job.

Ms Camm criticised the absence of any funds to upgrade Mackay-Bucasia Rd, which falls under her electorate, and denounced the delays to Whitsunday region road upgrades including floodproofing works at Hamilton Plains and duplication works along Shute Harbour Rd.

You can read our live blog on the state budget in Queensland parliament here.

What else is in the 2024 -25 budget for Mackay:

Roads

• $8m out of a total $350m total spend towards Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay Slade Point Rd (Stage 1) – delivered in partnership with the federal government
• $1.136m out of total $6.012m spend to upgrade intersection at Paradise St and Webberley St
• $1.949m out of total $7.483m spend to replace Bell Creek bridge along Munbura Rd at Balberra
• $7.5m out of a total $17.5m spend to build an intersection on Fenner Rd/Bruce Highway and preparatory civil works on site for a land subdivision. Part of the Regional Industrial Land Improvement Program.
• $2.227m out of total $13.5m spend for to strengthen Palm Tree and Black Creek bridges along Bruce Highway
• $1m out of total $11m spend to replace timber Kirkup Bridge at Walkerston along the Peak Downs Highway.
• $6.15m out of total $14.5m spend on improving road safety on the Peak Downs Highway between Walkerston and Racecourse
• $52.32m out of total $251.7m spend for Walkerston Bypass
• $3.732m out of total $4.084m spend to improve safety at Maraju-Yakapari Rd, Bald Hill Rd to Bruce Highway
• $2.419m out of total $2.77m spend to improve safety at Eton-Homebush Rd, Peak Downs Highway to Sarina-Homebush Rd
• $2.84m out of total $3.19m spend to improve intersections at Mackay-Eungella Rd, Pleystowe Connection Rd and Pleystowe School Rd
• $581,000 out of total $2.323m spend to construct a shared path from Bruce Highway to Discovery Lane as part of the Pioneer River Northbank (Stage 4)
• $150,000 out of a total $1.2m spend to improve the intersection at Bruce Highway and Glendaragh Rd, Glenella

Tourism

• $2.8m out of a total $4.5m total spend to build the Pioneer Valley Outdoor Tourism Hub, a two-storey facility for up to 24 guests looking for adventure and nature-based tourism experiences across the Mackay region. Part of the Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure initiative, delivered in partnership with the private sector

Community

• $3m out of a total $5.2m spend to develop St Vincent de Paul’s society existing community support centre in Mackay. Part of the Resources Community Infrastructure Fund – Round 2.
• $15.321m to construct social housing in Mackay.
• $2.836m to upgrade existing social housing in Mackay.
• $4.589m on capital grants for housing and homelessness services in Mackay.
• $5.535m out of a total $6m spend for the Mackay Community Mental Health refurbishment.
• $250,000 to improve Mulherin Park at Mackay Harbour

Industry

• $2.5m out of a total $5.7m spend to support the development of the FlexiLab at the Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget. Part of the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan.
• $8m out of a total $18m spend to develop a new Heavy Duty Hardstand at Mackay to cater for container storage and handling of break bulk cargo.
• $6m out of total $6.7m spend for undergrounding and relocation of fuel pipelines.
• $1m to progress feasibility, development and designs for potential extension of Wharf 1 at Mackay, as part of initial works up to $1.9m.
• $2.5m to NQBP to build a new administration building for Port of Mackay
• $2m to NQBP to upgrade the end-of-life grain rail loop
• $1.052m towards North Queensland Bulk Ports’ Louisa Creek Acquisition Program
• $3.329m to NQBP for five-yearly dredging at Hay Point

Emergency Services

• $3.4m out of a total $4m spend to complete the upgrade of Mackay’s police facility.

Education

• $1.72m out of a total $1.892m spend to refurbish learning space at Mirani State High School.
• $731,000 to upgrade amenities at Koumala State School.
• $4.498m out of a total $5.568m spend to refurbish a learning space at Sarina State High School.

Energy and Water

• $24.818m towards Energy Queensland Limited’s (Ergon’s) network augmentation in the Mackay region.
• $111.273m towards Ergon’s network replacement works in Mackay.
• $4.249m out of a total $12.344m spend for Stage 3 of the Eungella Water Pipeline.

What else is in the 2024-25 budget for the Whitsundays:

Roads

• $4m out of a total $39.7m spend for Proserpine – Shute Harbour Rd, Paluma Rd to Valley Dr (Cannonvale), duplicate to four lanes
• $2.713m out of total $34m spend for Proserpine – Shute Harbour Rd, Valley Dr to Tropic Rd (Cannonvale), duplicate to four lanes
• $2m out of total $24m spend for Proserpine- – Shute Harbour Rd, Hamilton Plains, flood immunity upgrade
• $1m out of total $15m spend on the business case study for floodproofing Goorganga Plains on the Bruce Highway between Proserpine and Mackay

Tourism

• $3.5m out of a total $6.3m spend provide camping facilities and improvements to the Ngaro Track in the Whitsunday Islands National Park.

Community

• $2m out of a total $3.2m spend to build four two-bedroom units to accommodate frontline health and professional workers in Bowen. Part of the Resources Community Infrastructure Fund – Round 3.
• $2m to progress consultation, detailed designs and required approvals to replace the Bowen Wharf facility as part of initial works up to $5m
  

Industry

• $906,000 out of a total $1.8m spend to upgrade the Collinsville Aerodrome. Part of the Resources Community Infrastructure Fund – Round 2.
• $2m to progress feasibility, development planning and expansion designs for the Material Offloading Facility at Abbott Point, as part of initial works up to $4m
  

Emergency Services

• $7.6m out of a total $10.1m spend to complete the replacement of the auxiliary fire and rescue station at Airlie Beach
• $5.989m out of a total $7.6m to replace the Proserpine police facility
  

Education

• $2.1m out of a total $10.8m total spend to deliver safer schoolies in Airlie Beach and the Gold Coast, including a beach hub, support services and medical and volunteer support. Part of the Safer Schoolies Response.
• $2.1m out of a total $10.8m total spend to deliver safer schoolies in Airlie Beach and the Gold Coast, including a beach hub, support services and medical and volunteer support. Part of the Safer Schoolies Response.

Health

• $4.975m out of a total $5m spend to upgrade the Acute Primary Care Clinic at the Proserpine Hospital
  

Energy and Water

• $12.4m to upgrade the 66-kilovolt Cannonvale to Jubilee Pocket powerline
  

What else is in the 2024-25 budget for Isaac:

Roads

• $500,000 out of total $12m spend to construct overtaking lanes along the Peak Downs Highway between Clermont and Nebo, Millenium Coal Mine to Carborough Downs Coal Mine
• $670,000 out of total $5.804m spend to construct floodways on various roads.
• $730,000 out of total $2.488m spend to rehabilitate pavement along Peak Down Mines Rd.
• $15.8m out of total $18m spend to replace Phillips Creek bridge along Saraji Rd
• $913,000 out of total $1.63m spend to pave and seal Dysart Clermont Rd
• $874,000 out of total $1.56m spend to pave and seal Eaglefield Rd, Moranbah
• $1.095m out of total $3.215m spend to rehabilitate pavement along Golden Mile Rd, Dysart
• $933,000 out of total $2.59m spend to replace bridge at Cooroorah Creek, Mount Stuart Bedford Weir Rd
• $500,000 out of total $20m spend to pave and seal May Downs Rd.

Community

• 800,000 out of a total $2m spend to build a block of three units to provide affordable housing for non-mining workers in Moranbah. Part of the Resources Community Infrastructure Fund – Round 3.

Emergency Services

• $5m out of a total $5.8m spend to complete the replacement of Clermont’s police facility

Education

• $6.8m out of a total $13.3m spend to construct a new building for extra learning spaces at Moranbah State High School.
• $3m out of a total $10.762m spend to build new classrooms at Moranbah East State School.

Health

• $20m towards the Moranbah Hospital redevelopment which will have more emergency department treatment spaces, a CT scanner and a helipad. There will also be 12 inpatient beds, expanded medical imaging services, an ambulatory care area, gymnasium and enhanced outpatient department. Part of the Building Rural and Remote Health Program.

Energy and Water

• $4m for in-line storage as part of the Burdekin Moranbah Pipeline project.
• $6m out of a total $34.292m spend for the pumping reliability improvement project as part of the Burdekin Moranbah Pipeline.