Townsville Enterprise reveals priorities for region in 2024/25 federal budget

With a number of major projects already proposed and waiting for funding, there is a lot riding on the federal budget for Townsville and North Queensland. Here’s the full list of projects.

The Bruce Highway.

An upgraded waterfront with the Great Barrier Reef Education Precinct, a fair chunk of Bruce Highway funding, housing investment and workforce shortage assistance are leading the ticket of North Queensland budget priorities as the nation is poised to hear what projects will get the green light or further funding.

Townsville Enterprise has released its priorities for the budget, which includes $100m worth of investment into the GBR education precinct, which would include a new aquarium.

The rebuild of the former Reef HQ, which has been demolished for some time, has already received federal government funding, but the updated plan would enhance the Flinders St waterfront further.

New images of the proposed Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson also called for the Albanese government to ensure items that have already been committed to remained funded.

This includes funding for the port expansion, the concert hall and Reef HQ.

“Not only that, but now they have changed the scope of the Reef HQ project from a refurbishment to a full knock and rebuild, they need to commit the additional funds,” he said.

The Townsville Bulletin, along with other News Corp Queensland mastheads, has been advocating for Bruce Highway funding via the Help Our Highway campaign.

While the government has committed cash to parts of the Bruce Highway, it has failed to invest further in the important route in North Queensland.

Leaders in the region have also called for upgrades to road, port and rail infrastructure.

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said the government needed to invest money in the region’s road, rail and port infrastructure with the North West Queensland critical minerals, the largest deposit in the country.

She added the region was counting on policy makers to deliver on major projects for the region.

New images of the proposed Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence.

“Townsville North Queensland is one of this nation’s most strategically important regions, and our contribution to Australia should not be underestimated,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

“We saw this through recent defence commitments for the region including $1.2bn in funding towards army and airforce capability.

“North Queensland has all the ingredients right here – the capacity, capability, and tenacity to grow and support new and existing industries that the world is demanding.”

Great Barrier Reef Education Precinct

$100 million investment to create a world leading educational hub, which would include an aquarium.

Highway funding

Calls for upgrades to the whole Bruce Highway as part of the Help Our Highway campaign.

Housing

A minimum of 40% of the Federal Housing fund must be invested into regional areas such as Townsville

Workforce

Increase of zonal tax allowances for regions and provide investment into promotion of regional liveability.

Future heath

An extra 80 medical placements for the North Queensland region.

Hydrogen industry

Concessions to support this opportunity for the region which will reduce the cost of hydrogen and incentivise investment at a scale to reduce costs even further.

‘Made in Australia’

Support for Townsville’s Southern Industrial Corridor Infrastructure including Townsville Port Expansion Stage 2; funding to review the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor business case; Flinders Highway upgrades; and Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct support.

Originally published as Townsville Enterprise reveals priorities for region in 2024/25 federal budget