Labor slams state budget over Sunshine Coast transport funding

The opposition has slammed the state government’s budget, claiming a lack of detail on key Sunshine Coast transport projects, while a tourism council has welcomed a funding boost for the industry. TAKE THE POLL.

The Wave bus metro project will take people to Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast Airport, rather than light or heavy rail.

The opposition has slammed the state government’s budget, claiming key transport projects on the Sunshine Coast were snubbed, while a tourism council has welcomed a funding boost for the industry.

Treasurer David Janetzki handed down his first budget for the Queensland government on Tuesday, June 24.

For the Sunshine Coast region there was additional funding for health care workers and more social housing, with 240 homes under construction or contract towards the 53,000 goal shared with the Australian government by 2044.

The budget also reiterated the state government’s commitment to build a police beat and CCTV in Nambour as well as $427.7m for the Lake McDonald Dam Improvement Project.

However, the state’s opposition has slammed the LNP’s budget for “stripped out” detail on transport projects.

Treasurer David Janetzki has handed down the state government budget. Picture: Supplied by the Office of the Premier.

On Wednesday, shadow transport and main roads minister Bart Mellish claimed the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2025-26 to 2028-29, published along with the budget papers on Tuesday, did not provide figures for funding or dates for delivering key projects.

The Wave, the announced public transport connection all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games Supplied by the Queensland Government

Mr Mellish said “what gets measured gets done” in terms of the transport projects, referencing the state government’s project, The Wave, which will deliver a direct rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya and a subsequent bus service to the Sunshine Coast Airport.

“Crucial ones for the Sunshine Coast, like The Wave, the Mooloolah interchange, the Caloundra roads package, projects they committed to at the last election, there is no time frame on them, there is no costs,” Mr Mellish said.

“It is completely ridiculous for the government to be claiming they are delivering these roads and maybe so they can’t be accused of time and cost blowouts they have just completely stripped out any detail from the budget.”

Within the budget few details were provided on the Caloundra congestion busting plan other than a commitment to “boost capacity” at intersections and build more connection roads.

The QTRIP documents show work on The Wave stage one is expected to start in 2026-27, with no figures supplied in terms of federal or state funding contributions.

Mr Mellish’s decision to head to the region, along with five other Labor MPs who chose to skip parliament on Wednesday, was criticised by the Premier David Crisafulli. 

Shadow minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish has slammed the LNP’s budget. Picture, John Gass

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler welcomed the budget, stating it showed a “significant investment” in the state’s tourism ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The sector benefits from consistent engagement between government and industry, and we acknowledge the progress reflected in this Budget. Continued dialogue will be essential to ensure delivery meets the diverse needs of Queensland’s tourism operators,” Ms Wheeler said.

Transport and main roads minister Brent Mickelberg has been contacted for comment by this publication.