Federal Budget 2022: Major upgrade for M1 Bruce Highway

The M1 north of Brisbane will undergo a major upgrade as part of a $1.5 billion infrastructure package for Queensland in the Federal Budget.

Queensland will get $1.47 billion in infrastructure spending on infrastructure spearheaded by $586.4 million for a major upgrade of the M1 Bruce Highway just north of Brisbane.

There will also be $200 million to upgrade another 12.9 km stretch of the highway between Mango Hill and South Caboolture, expanding it from six to eight lanes.

The funding fulfils spending promises made by Labor in the lead-up to May’s federal election.

There will also be funding for planning works for the next stage of the Ipswich Motorway.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said sound and planned infrastructure investment in Queensland creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth.

“It’s about making journeys quicker, but also making sure Queenslanders can get home to their families safely,” he said.

“Through our first Budget, my team is getting on with the job of delivering projects in consultation with Infrastructure Australia and all levels of Government to make a real difference to the lives of Australians.”

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said good roads are the lifeblood of communities across Queensland and “improving safety and travel time” was important for local families and the economy.

Easter traffic on the M1 north of Brisbane this year

“Our Government will upgrade key road corridors across the state, getting locals home more safely and more quickly,” she said.

“Our Bruce Highway investment will help locals across Brisbane’s north spend less time on the road and more time at home.

“We are getting on with the job of delivering the right infrastructure in the right place to help ensure Queenslanders spend less time on the roads and get home safely every trip.”

The announcement of infrastructure spending for Queensland in the budget came as the Prime Minister addressed the party faithful at the ALP state conference in Sydney, at which announced the expansion of paid parental leave to six months.

Billed as a homecoming for the first time as prime minister, the event saw Mr Albanese become emotional as talked about his mother “who he was never a delegate” or “sought – or held” a party position and “never asked for anything”.

“In that, she was just like tens of thousands of other branch members over the years,” he said.

Mr Albanese said that in 10 days Treasurer Jim Chalmers would deliver the first Labor Budget in a decade, which he promised would be “responsible, fair and reforming” and would close the book “on a wasted decade that has weakened our economy and held back our nation”.

Originally published as Federal Budget 2022: Major upgrade for M1 Bruce Highway