South-east Queensland City Deal to deliver $1.8 billion in infrastructure

Details of south-east Queensland’s long-awaited City Deal between all three levels of government have finally been agreed, with the $1.8 billion infrastructure pact to be signed in Brisbane on Monday.

The SEQ City Deal will be funded through $667.77 million from the Commonwealth, $618.78 million from the Queensland government and $501.62 million from the Council of Mayors (SEQ), representing the region’s council.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk  and Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner signing the SEQ City Deal at the Gabba.Credit: Tony Moore

In addition, $75 million would be funded from industry.

With south-east Queensland’s population expected to reach 5.4 million within two decades, the cross-governmental agreement aimed to prepare the region for that growth.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, 10 years away, only added to the sense of urgency.

The single biggest beneficiary will be Brisbane City Council’s Woolloongabba Metro station, which will link with Cross River Rail and be a vital connection during the Olympics, with $450 million allocated to the project.

The nearby Gabba has been proposed as Brisbane’s main Olympic stadium.

Other major projects included a $40 million entertainment and motorsport precinct at Wellcamp, linked to the Wagner family’s airport and quarantine facility, and $210 million for new infrastructure to accommodate an expected population explosion in Caboolture West.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner, in his capacity as chairman of the Council of Mayors (SEQ), will officially sign off on the deal in Brisbane on Monday.

Ahead of his visit, Mr Morrison said the projects identified in the SEQ City Deal would generate about 2000 jobs and set the state up to be in the “best position” to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

“South-east Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and with the population expected to continue to grow, it is crucial that we invest in the infrastructure it needs to thrive for decades to come,” he said.

“From Brisbane to Toowoomba, Ipswich to the Sunshine Coast and everywhere in between, this deal delivers for south-east Queenslanders.

“We all share a vision of a more connected, liveable and export-competitive region, and this brings that vision to life.”

A Brisbane Metro station for the Gabba Olympic Stadium is the biggest funding commitment in the SEQ City Deal.

Ms Palaszczuk, who also serves as Queensland’s Olympics Minister, has repeatedly clashed with Mr Morrison over matters such as disaster management, hospital funding and COVID restrictions in recent times.

The City Deal meant a truce, at least for now.

“I have always said we work best when we work together,” Ms Palaszczuk said of the City Deal.

“The City Deal provides vital infrastructure to plan for our growing population. That includes new transport links for the Gabba in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The winners are Queenslanders.”

Cr Schrinner also sang from the cross-government, and cross-party, co-operation hymnbook.

“This deal demonstrates what great things can be achieved when all levels of government work together,” he said.

The lord mayor said there might not have been a time when such co-operation was so critically important, as south-east Queensland continues to deal with rapid population growth.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and lord mayor Adrian Schrinner in Tokyo last July, when Brisbane was announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games.Credit: Toru Hanai/Getty Images

“We’re also a decade away from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games which presents a unique chance to showcase our region to the world while establishing a legacy that can continue to deliver for the generations to come,” he said.

“This City Deal puts us on a path to manage population growth, deliver the best-ever Games and, importantly, improve the lives of all of our residents through ongoing co-operation.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with industry and the other levels of government to empower the SEQ City Deal to deliver the needs of our rapidly growing region.”