SEQ City Deal: Secret talks to secure $100m development from $1.bn funding
Secret talks are being held between Gold Coast leaders, Brisbane and government to unlock a $1.8bn mega deal. Find out which projects are on the cards.
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THE federal government is reviewing its $1.8bn southeast Queensland City Plan, with secret talks focusing on securing funding for at least one key Gold Coast project.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and South East Queensland Council of Mayors chairman Adrian Schrinner signed off on the 20-year, $1.8bn deal a year ago.
The sign-off followed more than three years of negotiations. Despite being a 2032 Olympic Games co-host, the Gold Coast received no funding from the deal.
But now, Anthony Albanese’s Labor federal government is developing an implementation plan for the deal, which will determine what projects receive funding, including a focus on innovation.
The Bulletin understands talks are underway to lock in funding for Griffith University’s Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies (ADAPT) Institute building – focusing on high-end research and development – at the Health and Knowledge Precinct. City leaders are also hopeful of securing funding for light rail Stage 3 (Broadbeach to Burleigh), the GreenHeart parklands at Robina and future upgrades at the Home of the Arts (HOTA).
Mayor Tom Tate, who is aware of the talks, confirming he had written to both Prime Minister Albanese and Infrastructure Transport and Regional Development Minister Catherine King to discuss the issue.
“I am ready to be on the next plane to Canberra to finalise this,” he said.
“As Australia’s sixth largest and fastest growing city, it is inconceivable that the Gold Coast would not receive any funding and the ADAPT project fits perfectly with the federal government’s strategic objectives.
“The Gold Coast led the way on ‘City Deals’ with the state and federal government through the light rail prototype which has been an incredible success.
“Government gets great return on investment when it delivers infrastructure on the Gold Coast as business across multiple sectors want to be here and advanced manufacturing, software engineering and medical research are leading that charge.”
The Morrison Government did not complete an implementation plan for the funding before it lost the May 2022 election.
The Gold Coast missing out on City Deal spend was a key issue in the lead up to that election, with the city’s four LNP MPs coming under fire for their inability to influence the Coalition-forged deal.
Mr Tate also came under fire, with his colleagues blaming his “toxic” relationship with the federal MPs and the council’s decision to quit the Council of Mayors (COMSEQ).
A Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development spokesman said talks around City Deal funding was ongoing.
“The Australian government continues to work with the Queensland government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and other key stakeholders to finalise the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal Implementation Plan,” he said.
“As part of the announced City Deal, the Australian and Queensland governments will establish the SEQ Innovation Economy Fund.
“Partnering with other stakeholders, this program will invest in projects that promote and grow SEQ’s innovation economy.
“Eligibility for this fund will be confirmed as part of the development of grant guidelines.”
Griffith’s $100m ADAPT building concept has been pitched as a “one stop shop” which would deal with manufacturing and research into spinal cord injuries.
Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans said there was support from all levels of government to get the complex built.
“(Getting ADAPT) would be a three-way funding deal, state, federal and local,” she said.
“We have really good conversations happening with state and federal governments but these things are always long-term.
“I can’t talk too much about it but what I will say is that certainly we have found supportive ears at all levels of government.”
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