Queensland State Budget 2024: Everything you need to know about government commitments

Light rail and infrastructure funding along with small business relief have topped the list of key projects and issues which civic leaders want to see get a boost in Tuesday’s state budget.

Light rail and infrastructure funding along with small business relief have topped the list of key projects and issues which civic leaders want to see get a boost in Tuesday’s state budget.

The budget will be the last roll of the dice for Labor as it prepares for a tough re-election fight when the state heads to the polls in October.

Mayor Tom Tate, fresh off delivering his own Gold Coast council budget, said extra funding for Stage 4 of light rail – to the airport – was “essential”.

“I note the political posturing over the project with a state election looming but let’s be fair dinkum, the current price range for the project, somewhere between $4bn and $7bn, must be honed in with precision before all levels of government can make a decision,” he said.

Artist impression of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 between Tugun and Coolangatta, including Gold Coast Airport and the NSW border. Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“It is also vital that more money is allocated to the east-west electric bus proposal.

“The link between our light and heavy rail for people in the western parts of the city must be improved to maximise the benefits of those modes as the city rapidly heads towards 1 million residents.”

Mr Tate said he was “pleased” $25m had already been set aside to support the Yatala film industry project.

“The delivery of up to 10 new sound stages at Yatala will solidify the Gold Coast and Queensland as the home of the film industry in the southern hemisphere bringing significant investment and supporting thousands of jobs,” he said.

Steve Harrison, the chairman of the Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Group, said he did not anticipate any direct funding for the trams in the budget to be spent in the coming financial year but was hopefully of cash set aside for coming years.

“While the detailed business case ins already underway for Stage 4, that won’t be finished until mid-2025,” he said.

“It is worthwhile for the state government to commit funding across the forward estimates for the next phase of pre-construction works.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick. Picture: Liam Kidston

“This would include for works packages including underground services or public utilities and ensuring it is completed by the 2032 Olympic Games.”

Sources have previously told the Bulletin that funding for the project would need to be locked in from all three levels of government by the end of 2025 to allow construction to begin in 2026 or early 2027 before being completed in 2030, enabling trams to be tested and bedded-in before the 2032 Olympic Games.

Among the measures already announce are the slashing of public transport fares to just 50c for six months as well as the increase in the stamp duty concession threshold in order to get more people into the housing market.

Southport Chamber of Commerce president Trevor Bruger urged the state government to commit to a range of measure to boost business confidence.

“We want to see an increase in the payroll tax threshold to compensate for the wave of inflation, as well as an increase in land tax threshold, something there has been no change to since 2008, creating quite a nice little earner for the state government,” he said.

“We welcome the increase stamp duty concessions for new homeowners but this also must be expanded to the first homeowners grant, as well as additional funding for homeless services and educational organisations.”

Treasurer Cameron Dick will bring down the budget at 2pm.