Southeast Queensland City Deal: Why we should be ‘outrageous’ in our goals

Southeast Queenslanders have been urged to be “outrageous” in their goals on the back of a massive City Deal being agreed for the region.

LEADING social demographer Bernard Salt is urging southeast Queenslanders to be “outrageous” in their goals on the back of a City Deal being agreed for the region.

As The Courier-Mail reported exclusively yesterday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will support a historic proposal from the Palaszczuk Government and SEQ Council of Mayors for a shared plan to tackle congestion, boost the economy and protect lifestyle in the region.

The deal would set infrastructure priorities and funding models over the next quarter of a century.

“This changes things from a three-year political cycle to a 25-year planning horizon,” said Mr Salt, who conducted exclusive research for The Courier-Mail’s recent Future SEQ series investigating the looming challenges and opportunities.

“This is the opportunity to re-imagine southeast Queensland as a region of five million-plus people. That vision needs to be lateral and creative, bold and courageous.

“We should not be shy in our aspirations or modest in our ambitions. Our goals should be outrageous.”

Southeast Queensland could get biggest City Deal in the country

Demographer Bernard Salt says southeast Queensland should not modest about its ambitions. Picture: AAP Image/Claudia Baxter

Labor leader Bill Shorten and Opposition infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese are expected to meet a mayoral delegation today.

Mr Albanese said an incoming ALP Government would honour any City Deal which had been signed and expand it under the party’s Labor’s proposed City Partnership’s scheme.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad yesterday said she was “very excited” that the Morrison Government had come to the table to start discussions on a City Deal.

“But we want to make sure that any formal discussions around the Southeast Queensland City Deal are done in Queensland and include the State Government,” she said.

“So we’re looking forward to Minister (Alan) Tudge responding to our request to come to Queensland and to start a good faith negotiation around the best possible City Deal that we need for southeast Queensland.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor and South East Queensland Council of Mayors Chairman Graham Quirk described the decision to move ahead with a City Deal as a “red letter day” for the region.

“It starts as a discussion platform around finding that common ground where federal, state and local government can agree in terms of the details of the City Deal over the next 15 to 20 year period,” he said.

“The important thing is that all three entities will be at the table before there are any formal negotiations.”

The agreement and detailed proposal of priorities have drawn overwhelming support.

“The future success of the SEQ region will rely on big picture, paradigm-changing thinking,” Australian Industry Group Queensland Head Shane Rodgers said: “We can either be a mediocre region that grows incrementally with constant Band-Aid solutions or we can build a globally-significant metropolis that combines strong connectivity, liveability and employment in quality, high skill jobs.”

Property Council Queensland executive director Chris Mountford, a longtime advocate for City Deals, said clear infrastructure plans, better co-ordinated land-use planning and freeing up underused government land would all be positive.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said: “Creating trade husband corridors and connecting key population and growth centres through new and visionary infrastructure will unlock enormous benefits for southeast Queensland for decades to come.”

Port of Brisbane CEO said a proposed connection to Inland Rail was “crucial” to getting freight off trucks and on to rail. “That means less traffic congestion, safer roads, less pollution, and a lower cost supply chain network.”

Infrastructure Association of Queensland CEO Steve Abson said the move was “well-timed” and could lead to “even bolder opportunities for southeast Queensland, such as those that come with a tilt at the Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

Sue Johnson, group executive of toll road operator Transurban Queensland, said they welcomed all initiatives focused on infrastructure ‘’to ensure our state is ready for the future growth that’s on its way”.

A RACQ spokesman said while the plan was a great start, there was still a need for an integrated public transport authority to co-ordinate frequent services across council boundaries to encourage more use.

Infrastructure Australia chair Julieanne Alroe said the progress was pleasing. “The focus from all levels of government should be on creating liveable cities, and enabling fast-growing regions like SEQ to share in our future prosperity.”