The projects to lead us out of recession
Queensland’s next premier will come under pressure to ram through a string of state-building infrastructure projects to turbocharge economic recovery. And to be successful, there’s one crucial thing needed, according to leading interest groups. SEE THE LIST
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Queensland’s next premier will come under pressure to ram through a string of state-building infrastructure projects to turbocharge economic recovery.
The Courier-Mail asked leading interest groups to highlight key projects on their wish lists that could help spark a construction-led economic fightback from the coronavirus recession.
Federal Budget to deliver $1.3bn for Queensland road projects
Importantly, the groups were united in the view that to get full value, projects could not be ranked relative to each other but had to be part of an integrated plan.
Infrastructure Australia chief of infrastructure prioritisation Robin Jackson said the next government must take a “long-term view on investments” to “future proof” the state.
“This includes encouraging action to ensure water supply and resilience for both town and city populations, development of a coastal inundation protection strategy and delivery of a national fast-charging network for electric vehicles,” he said.
Some of the highest priority projects in Queensland for IA include building a dedicated rail link to the Port of Brisbane, funding a new transport corridor through the northern suburbs and duplication of the Sunshine Coast rail from Beerburrum to Nambour.
RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said it would be critical to have a pipeline of projects in the works to keep the “economy moving and create jobs” and save lives at the same time.
He said fast-tracking congestion-busting projects on some of the “slowest and most dangerous” commutes in Queensland would improve congestion, safety and productivity.
The peak motoring lobby is also calling for the government to take the Gold Coast Light Rail to Coolangatta Airport, safe cycling and green bridges and increased funding for an inland road, freight productivity improvement program
QRC chief executive Ian McFarlane said building the Inland Rail including the missing link to the port would be crucial.
He said the QRC would work in close partnership with the next government to grow the industry to create more jobs and more opportunities for all Queenslanders
“More certainty around government policy and a more streamlined assessment and approval process for projects will give our sector the confidence to invest more, employ more and export more,” he said.
The southeast Queensland Council of Mayors is set to continue pushing for fast rail and the vision of a maximum 45-minute travel between regional centres.
LABOR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
– $50bn infrastructure guarantee — maintain current infrastructure investment program at $51.8 billion over the next four years
– Build second M1 supporting 700 jobs
– Road improvements incl Bruce Hwy with $12.6bn in projects
– Community infrastructure incl Rockhampton’s Browne Park, Mackay’s Harrup Park and the Cairns Convention Centre
– $400m in new and accelerated funding for Queensland roads
LNP INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
– Bruce Hwy four lanes from Curra to Cairns
– Dam building program incl New Bradfield Scheme
– $1bn Southeast Queensland congestion infrastructure program – road and rail
– $1.1bn second M1 to take 60,000 cars a day off the existing M1
– Establish Queensland Infrastructure Fund with royalties from the Galilee Basin to fund new schools, roads and hospitals
– Duplicate the Sunshine Coast rail line
WISH LIST – RACQ, Infrastructure Australia, LGAQ, Queensland Resources Council
– SEQ Fast Rail
– Sunshine Coast rail – Beerburrum to Nambour
– Inland Rail, including dedicated Port of Brisbane freight rail line
– Urban congestion – Pacific Motorway Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway, Bruce Highway, Centenary Motorway, Second M1 and Warrego Highway, Ipswich to Toowoomba.
– Gold Coast Light Rail to Coolangatta Airport
– Safe cycling
– Green Bridges
– Gas pipeline infrastructure in central Queensland
– Business case for the Townsville eastern access rail corridor
– Safety upgrade for inland road freight network to improve efficiency and reduce road deaths
