Queensland State Budget 2019: Billions for Gold Coast projects in cash splash

Billions of dollars will be spent on the Gold Coast in this year’s state budget, with big commitments to schools and transport projects. These are the big winners and the surprise projects which missed out.

THE Gold Coast’s fast growing northern suburbs have been targeted in a cash splash in the State Budget aimed to reduce both congestion on the M1 and inside schools.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to more than $807 million in infrastructure funding for the Coast, providing 2500 jobs in 2019-20. This compares to $680 million and 2300 jobs the year before.

Treasurer Jackie Trad speaking to media at parliament. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Treasurer Jackie Trad told the Gold Coast Bulletin the focus was to find solutions for M1 gridlock and provide much needed facilities in the population growth belt north of the Glitter Strip.

The missing piece of the infrastructure puzzle for the Coast remains light rail stage 3A with the State refusing to commit as it attempts to drive a better deal with the Commonwealth.

Other regions have benefited with increased infrastructure including the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay ($1.5 billion), Townsville ($930 million), Far North Queensland ($967 million) and Ipswich ($895 million).

The Gold Coast light rail. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

In her budget speech, the Treasurer told Parliament: “Today I deliver a Queensland Budget unashamedly focused on our regions. I do so because Queensland is the most decentralised state in the federation.

“Our regions define who we are as Queenslanders. When our regions do well, all of Queensland does well. And so in shaping this Budget, it is regional Queenslanders who have been at the forefront of our thoughts. This is a Budget for regional Queensland.”

QLD State Budget papers at Parliament House. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

The key budget expenditure and commitments for the Coast includes:

• $1.5 billion for the Pacific Motorway upgrade between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes.

• $96 million to fund planning for Exit 41 at Yatala South and Exit 49 at Pimpama.

• $10 million commitment to do an options analysis and business case for the Coomera Connector or second M1.

• $60 million to support the delivery of the master plan for Southport Spit.

• Exemption threshold for payroll tax to be increased for all businesses from $1.1 million to $1.3 million meaning 1,500 additional businesses will no longer pay from July.

• Fully funded construction of three new rail stations at Pimpama, Helensvale North and Worongary/Merrimac as work continues on Cross River Rail in the year 2020.

• Additional funding of $13.9 million over two years to progress market approaches for the Global Tourism Hub procurement processes including the Coast and for the contract management of Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane.

• Increased funding of $45.2 million over five years to support Screen Queensland. This includes increased funding of $35.7 million over three years from 2018-19 for the Production Attraction Strategy

• Up to $114 million for two new schools at Coomera and Pimpama and continued classroom builds at in schools including Palm Beach Currumbin State, Pacific Pines State, Pimpama Primary College, Broadbeach Primary and others.

• $1 million in 2018-19 in partnership with the local tourism industry, to position the Coast as a must-visit for families from the key visitor markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Gold Coast stretch of the M1. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon called on the Federal Government to match the State’s commitment on the M1 upgrades after putting up about $50 million, only 25 per cent of the total project costs.

“I made a commitment to Gold Coasters that we would build a better M1. This year’s budget delivers on that promise,” Ms Scanlon said.

“We’ve already secured $2.3 billion for the M1 upgrades, so this year’s budget has shifted its focus to fixing busy M1 exits.

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“We’ve upgraded Exit 54 and now we’re investing to upgrade Exit 41, 49 and 57. There is $96 million in this budget to fund Exit 41 at Yatala South and Exit 49 at Pimpama. At the rate the north Gold Coast is growing, we can’t afford to lose momentum on these upgrades.

“We have already done some of the early planning. Initial estimates show each exit will cost about $100 million to do.

“With the funding in our budget this year, we can make sure these projects don’t stall.”