2023-24 federal budget: What’s on the wish list for Central Queensland
Central Qld’s local, state and federal leaders are waiting with bated breath to see how each region will fare when the federal budget is handed down on Tuesday. SEE THEIR WISHLISTS.
Rockhampton
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Central Queensland’s elected leaders are waiting with bated breath to see how their regions will fare in next week’s federal budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down his second budget on Tuesday for the 2023-24 financial year.
In Rockhampton all eyes will be on what money, if any, is allocated for the Rockhampton Ring Road project, which is at the top of Capricornia MP Michelle Landry’s wish list.
“(It) is a much needed infrastructure project that was fully funded prior to Labor entering government,” she said.
“Our community is crying out for critical infrastructure projects, particularly as travel times for those commuting through Rockhampton are increasing as more traffic congests the city during peak hours.”
The Ring Road was also number one on the wishlist for Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke and Keppel MP Brittany Lauga.
Federal level
Michelle Landry – Capricornia
Ms Landry said another project important to Capricornia was increasing Rockhampton Airport’s capacity through the construction of Bay 7 and an integrated freight hub.
She said the project would “fortify” Rockhampton as a key aviation hub in Queensland and increase military capabilities and FIFO movements.
Ms Landry said major work was also needed for the safety of drivers on the Bruce Highway between Rockhampton and Mackay.
“I regularly travel this stretch of the Bruce Highway as I visit communities in my electorate,” she said.
“Every time I see travellers testing their luck when passing in dangerous areas due to not enough suitable passing lanes.
“Not only are there not enough overtaking lanes, but the road condition is deplorable.
“Yet, Labor ripped $1.2bn from the Budget last year for the Bruce Highway.
“Lives will continue to be lost on this stretch of highway unless this funding is reinstated.”
Leading into the Brisbane Olympics, Ms Landry anticipates some of the prosperity which is created in Capricornia can be returned through upgrades to sporting precincts to help train teams leading into the games.
“Capricornia delivers $9bn in royalties back to Queensland’s economy from the resources sector,” she said.
“It’s only right that the hard work of Capricornians is rewarded with upgraded and new sporting precincts, infrastructure and funding for community groups.”
Grant programs such as the Building Better Regions Fund and Regional Development Plan, which were aimed at funding nation-building projects in regional Australia, were scrapped by Labor in last year’s October Budget.
“Scrapping these programs has left many regional and rural Australians without the much-needed funds to support their growth,” Ms Landry said.
“I will continue to fight to ensure this Labor Government do not make any further cuts.
Colin Boyce – Flynn
“I’ll be calling on the Federal Labor Government to honour the almost $1bn of commitments that were made for the Flynn electorate at the last election,” Mr Boyce said.
“I also want to see the continued funding of projects such as:
- $400m to seal more than 450km of the Queensland beef corridors
- $1bn for upgrades of the Inland Freight Route (Charters Towers to Mungindi)
- $100m for Gladstone Port Access Road Extension
“There needs to be further investment in regional infrastructure, as well as a plan to ease the pressure on struggling families with the rising cost of living.
“The Labor Government needs to support regional communities by investing in telecommunications, the National Broadband Network, housing and health services and by committing to bring the Inland Rail to the Port of Gladstone.
“The Labor Government also must provide funding to support the proposed Yamala Enterprise Area (YEA) intermodal and industrial precinct which will turbocharge Central Queensland’s economy, creating more jobs and industries.”
State level
Barry O’Rourke – Rockhampton
“I expect to see the remaining funding for the Ring Road confirmed (Queensland’s share of the funding is already in the budget and work is starting this year), with a timeline that prioritises local jobs, local workers and local business,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“I also want to see more cost of living support that directly benefits locals. This is the number one issue affecting our community so any support will be welcome.
“The federal government has already made a great start by reducing the cost of prescription medicines and allowing people to get two months worth of scripts filled at once, but more is clearly needed as people deal with surging inflation and interest rates.
“A focus on supporting Medicare initiatives would also go a long way by easing the burden on our hospitals.”
Brittany Lauga – Keppel
“I’d like to see a commitment from the Federal Government for the first two stages of the Ring Road to be built into this year’s budget,” Ms Lauga said.
“I’d also like to see additional funds for the Yeppoon-Rocky Road upgrade to help cover inflation.
“An extension of the Family Home Guarantee scheme which provides support to single parent first home buyers.
“Also more relief for low income households for electricity bills.”
Glenn Butcher – Gladstone
“We know that cost of living, health and housing are the top-of-mind concerns for Queenslanders at the moment,” Mr Butcher said.
“The state and federal Labor governments are already taking action, but the federal budget will be an important opportunity for a boost to housing supply, a greater investment in the health sector and Medicare, and support with cost-of-living pressures.
“There is no magic wand, but these are the areas I’ll be watching closely on Tuesday night.”
Lachlan Millar – Gregory
“One of the biggest issues in Gregory, and Central Queensland, is we need better aged care in places like Emerald, Longreach, Barcaldine and Springsure, and we need independent living units for disabled people living in these areas,” Mr Millar said.
“There needs to be more funding in telehealth and other allied health services for people who just don’t have access to things such as psychologists.
“More and more GPs can’t afford to bulk bill and the federal government needs to step in help provide bulk billing options.
“There also needs to be more affordable housing, not just for people wanting to buy a house, but also for those professions needed in Central Queensland.”
Steven Andrew – Mirani
- More social housing investment
- A review into the NDIS
“They need to go right in and have a look at that,” Mr Andrew said.
“I think it is leading to people being put on disabled pensions, young people that start out with the NDIS, it’s like a lead in to long-term welfare.”
- The Mt Morgan pipeline
“That is one thing they can help out with.”
- Brewers Park in Sarina
“They (residents) want to see some stuff there for the kids and the satellite communities around Sarina.”
- An independent panel to monitor the scientific community
“The federal government should start funding an independent scientific review board,” he said.
“All of this so-called science to do with climate and all this other stuff...there seems to be a lot of peer-review, but there is not an independent checker to tell whether these sciences are actually on the money.”
Local government level
Tony Williams - Mayor of Rockhampton Regional Council
Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams, said he was interested to see what the Federal Government brings forward in their Budget.
“I hope to see some support for local residents around cost of living,” he said
“Wherever you go, that is a major issue for local residents and businesses with everyone feeling the pinch.
“I know it’s something the government is mindful of and I hope that we will see some support for local residents and business in the Budget.
“We are also eager to see plans for delivering infrastructure outcomes in regional Australia, especially those that will support jobs and growth in areas like the Rockhampton Region.
“One of the projects we have been advocating for is the Rockhampton Ring Road.
“We saw some great outcomes on that towards the end of last year and I’ve been working with our Federal and State colleagues to ensure that we keep that project moving forward.
“I’m looking forward to seeing that recognised in the budget next week.”
Andy Ireland – Mayor of Livingstone Shire Council
“Livingstone Shire Council has advocated for funding for several region-building projects that require Australian Government support to deliver,” Mr Ireland said.
“These projects are considered game-changers for our community, and they include the following:
- $1 million to undertake the necessary due diligence and design work to develop the Causeway Lake Restoration project.
- $14.6m to fund the Yeppoon Town Centre Rejuvenation project, and
- The establishment of a centralised armoured vehicle depot in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and the relocation of the Army’s School of Armour.
“Council also wants to see tangible support on fundamental issues affecting ratepayers within the shire, namely the lack of affordable housing and adequate cost of living support.
“Subject to the provision of state and federal Government funding and development approval being sought, council has agreed to contribute two parcels of council-owned land in Yeppoon and Emu Park to Anglicare Central Queensland to construct affordable family accommodation, including units for people with disabilities.
“In addition, council entered into the process of selling the eastern precinct of The Station on James St to St Vincent De Paul for the purpose of building affordable accommodation.
“Housing is presently our most critical infrastructure need and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
“While the state and federal governments have taken some action to respond to the crisis, more will be needed to fully address the problem.”
Matt Burnett – Mayor of Gladstone Regional Council
- Roads funding
- Funding for beef corridors
- Funding to accommodate expected increase in Oversize Overmass heavy vehicles in the region
- Inland Rail extension to Port of Gladstone
- An announcement on the establishment of Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base North in the Port of Gladstone
- Further support for the Gladstone Region Economic Transition Roadmap 2022-2032
* Callide MP Bryson Head, Central Highlands Regional Council and Banana Shire Council were all contacted for comment but did not submit a response before deadline.
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