Wide Bay Burnett: Billions in new projects revealed in state budget
Power, water and manufacturing are the big winners in a state budget that will spend almost $2 billion on more than 50 projects expected to transform the communities of the Wide Bay and Burnett.
QLD News
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Every year the state government’s multibillion-dollar budget is handed down to a recurring question: “What’s in it for us?”
The answer in the 2025-26 financial year for the Wide Bay Burnett is almost $2 billion spread across 52 projects.
From dam upgrades, to new fire and police stations, to major energy projects like the Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro project, there is plenty in the works across the Gympie, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, and Burnett regions.
Here is everything on the list in the 2025-26 budget across the Wide Bay Burnett.
Train Manufacturing Program - $950 million
The $950 million Queensland Train Manufacturing Program will build 65 new passenger trains at a new Torbanlea factory.
Borumba Pumped Hydro - $355.17 million
The proposed Queensland Hydro plan to deliver the Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project near Imbil is expected to cost more than $18 billion in total. The $355 million allocated is for early works at the site.
Paradise Dam improvement project - $96.89 million
The state government has promised $96.89 million to continue planning and enabling works for a new dam wall at Paradise Dam, near Bundaberg.
Borumba Network Infrastructure - $81.05 million
More than $81 million is in the budget to cover the cost of a controversial plan to run high voltage power lines from the proposed Borumba Dam Hydro Plant to a substation at Woolooga.
Resilient Homes Fund - $60.47 million
Residents of all the Wide Bay Burnett cities and towns may be eligible for this program allowing homeowners to raise, repair or retrofit their houses to protect against flooding.
Meandu Mine - $56.18 million
This funding is for the replacement, refurbishment and upgrade of assets at Meandu Mine.
Mount Rawdon Hydro - $50 million
This project proposes transforming an old gold mine at Mount Rawdon in the North Burnett into a new pumped hydro energy plant.
Tarong Power Station - $40.65 million
The state government is spending $40.65 million to overhaul the electricity generation units at Tarong Power Station.
Meandu Mine - $30.64 million
This part of the state budget is to replace trucks and earth moving equipment at the Meandu Mine.
Southern Renewable Energy Zone Battery - $28.52 million
The state government is committing $28.52 million as part of the construction of the 300 megawatt Southern Regional Energy Zone battery at Tarong.
Tarong Power Station - $27.77 million
There is $27.77 million for the replacement, refurbishment and upgrades to minor assets at Tarong Power Station.
Meandu Coal Mine - $23.44 million
The state government’s budget includes $23.44 million to refurbish the dragline at the Meandu Mine in the South Burnett.
Cooranga Weir - $18.6 million
This $18.16 million is to help planning work for the Cooranga Weir project and improve water supply reliability in the North Burnett.
Hervey Bay Hospital - $18.51 million
Funding for the expansion and refurbishment of the existing Hervey Bay Hospital Emergency Department building.
Isis Highway - $15.81 million
The state government is spending $15.8 million upgrading several parts of the Isis Highway between Childers and Bundaberg.
This work will include turning lanes, road widening, and removal of hazards.
East Bundaberg Substation- $12.34 million
This funding is part of a wider $23.2 million package to upgrade and repair the substation at East Bundaberg.
Barlil Weir - $11.11 million
This $11.11 million funding package is to commence planning work on the Barlil Weir project to improve water supply reliability in the South Burnett.
Tarong - $11.11 million
Renewable energy projects at the Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (within the Southern and Central renewable energy zones) are being given $11.11 million in servicing and maintenance.
Ergon Energy Maryborough - $9.46 million
This funding is the first part of a $23.9 million project to redevelop and refurbish buildings at Ergon Energy’s Searle St depot in Maryborough.
Cherbourg - $8 million
The state government is spending $8 million to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to Cherbourg in the South Burnett.
Kilkivan Substation - $6.45 million
This $6.45 million spend is part of an ongoing $37.5 million upgrade to refurbish the Kilkivan electrical substation to improve performance.
Port of Bundaberg - $6.39 million
The Port of Bundaberg is among the places getting upgrades within this $6.39 million funding package. Improvements include a new barge for marine works and a dry bulk storage facility.
Tarong Power Station - $6.37 million
The state government is spending $6.37 million refurbishing cooling towers at the Tarong Power Station.
D’Aguilar Highway ( Alexander Lane to Bunya Hwy) - $6.137 million
More than $6 million is being spent on upgrading safety on the D’Aguilar Highway from Alexander Lane to the Bunya Highway, including wider centre lines and dedicated right turning lanes.
D’Aguilar Highway (Bushnell Rd to Homley Rd) - $5.67 million
This $5.67 million funding package is to improve and widen pavement on the D’Aguilar Highway between Bushnell Rd and Homley Rd.
Bargara police station - $5.5 million
The state government has committed $5.5 million out of a total budget of $17.5 million for a replacement of the police station at Bargara.
Gympie South fire station - $5.25 million
The budget includes $5.3 million to continue the delivery of the replacement permanent and auxiliary fire and rescue station at Gympie South.
Tarong Power Station - $5.25 million
Tarong Power Station’s north stator (part of the generator) is being rewound at a cost of $5.25 million to allow the plant to continue operating.
Maryborough police station - $4.87 million
This $4.9 million in 2025-26 is part of a wider $7 million budget to complete the upgrade of the police facility at Maryborough.
Bunya Mountains National Park - $4.84 million
Upgrades are being made to the Dandabah day use area and campground at Bunya Mountains National Park including improved access.
Maryborough brigade headquarters - $3.15 million
This $3.25 million spend will continue the delivery of Maryborough area brigade headquarters.
Meandu Mine - $3.05 million
This $3.05 million package works will further develop the Meandu Mine.
K’gari - Waddy Point - $2.89 million
This project will replace failing parts of the sewage treatment plant at Waddy Point Base to improve safety and comply with environment rules.
Mon Repos Turtle Centre - $2.02 million
This $2.02 million budget is for the design and construction of a permanent visitor car park.
Cherbourg State School - $2 million
A new building is being built for Cherbourg’s Buwu Program, an alternative to school for students who have been suspended.
K’gari - $1.8 million
A major capital upgrade to the Central Station area on K’gari (Fraser Island) including improved visitor amenities and parking.
Tarong - $1.61 million
The state government is spending $1.61 million on maintenance and upgrades within the Stanwell-owned power plant.
Gympie, One Mile State School - $1.2 million
The budget included $1.2 million to upgrade of existing facilities at Gympie’s One Mile State School.
Maryborough TAFE - $1 million
These plans will allow the refurbishing of part of the vacant Maryborough TAFE campus to establish a Manufacturing Centre of Excellence.
Kingaroy DPI - $1 million
The state is spending $1 million on new and replacement heavy equipment including trucks, tractors, irrigators, all-terrain vehicles and other machinery for the Department of Primary Industries.
Biggenden rural fire brigade station - $700,000
The budget includes $700,000 to complete upgrades to Biggenden’s rural fire station.
K’gari, Eurong Base - $676,000
Upgrades are on the way to K’gari’s Eurong base accommodation and services, which is home to staff based permanently at the island.
Hervey Bay police facility - $500,000
The 2025-26 budget includes $500,000 to continue building a replacement police station at Hervey Bay.
Cherbourg State School - $440,000
This $440,000 investment will convert the school’ tuckshop to student well-being hub, enhance the dining hall kitchen, and replace playground equipment.
Kybong-Traveston, Hervey Bay DPI - $430,000
This budget is part of the wider construction of new and replacement infrastructure for Department of Primary Industries buildings across the region.
Wooroolin State School - $395,000
Upgrades are underway for the amenities block at the South Burnett region primary school.
Kingaroy DPI - $327,000
This funding is for upgrades to existing Department of Primary Industries research facilities in the region.
Pialba State School - $320,000
The budget includes $320,000 to upgrade existing amenities facilities at the Hervey Bay school.
Wooroolin State School - $283,000
The South Burnett region school is getting upgrades to its water and sewerage services.
Hervey Bay, Amamoor Creek DPI - $100,000
This funding is for the replacement of Department of Primary Industries vessels and marine equipment for fisheries research and regulatory functions in several parts of the region.
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Originally published as Wide Bay Burnett: Billions in new projects revealed in state budget
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