The Queensland Government has handed down its first Budget under the leadership of Premier Steven Miles and the final Budget of this term of government before Queenslanders head to an election on October 26. The four-year capital works program has reached a record level of $107.26 billion, including major transport infrastructure investments and projects to prepare the state for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) has increased from $32.1 billion in the four-year period from 2023-24 to 2026-27 to $37.4 billion in the four-year period to 2027-28.
In terms of specific roads funding, $11.5 billion will be spent around the state, including road safety and maintenance.
Several funding packages aimed at easing cost of living pressures on Queenslanders, including reduced public transport fares will result in an expected deficit of more than $2.5 billion over the 2024-25 financial year.
Regional transport investment
While Brisbane and South-East Queensland are experiencing strong population growth the QTRIP will see $21.19 billion of the $37.4 billion in total funding spent in regional areas.
The key projects being funded in regional areas, include:
Key regional transport projects supported by the Budget include:
- The construction of a new 37.8 kilometre Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line between Beerwah and Maroochydore, the longest spur line ever delivered in South East Queensland, at a total commitment of $5.5 billion (split 50:50) with the Australian Government.
- Construction of the Coomera Connector (Stage 1). At a total cost of $3.026 billion (jointly funded with the Australian Government), the 16-kilometre Stage 1 is expected to progressively open to traffic in late 2025.
- The ongoing Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, which includes total budgets of $1.730 billion to construct the Rockhampton Ring Road, $1.162 billion to construct Cooroy to Curra (Section D), $948 million for the upgrade between the Gateway Motorway and Dohles Rocks Road (Stage 1), and $336 million towards a bypass of Tiaro to increase the flood immunity, safety and efficiency of the Bruce Highway.
- Construction of Stage 3 of the Gold Coast Light Rail, from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads at a total estimated cost of $1.219 billion (jointly funding with the Australian Government and Gold Coast City Council).
- $5.75 billion (split 50:50 with the Australian Government) for the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (Kuraby to Beenleigh) upgrade.
Road safety
The QTRIP includes $1.892 billion in road safety initiatives, funded through the Camera Detected Offence Program.
This revenue is being utilised to fund:
- road safety education and awareness
- improving road-safe practices and behaviours
- rehabilitating persons who have been injured in a road crash.
The Camera Detected Offence Program also funds infrastructure and technologies to improve the safety of state-controlled roads, giving priority to the frequency and severity of road crashes.
Transport services and fare reform
Part of the cost of living support announced by the Queensland Government includes a significant reduction in public transport fares across modes.
A six month trial which will see public transport fares across the Translink network reduced to 50 cents from August 5.
During the trial Queenslanders will be able to travel on bus, train, ferry, tram, on demand services in South East Queensland, and all regional urban buses for just 50 cents.
Fares on Airtrain services will also be halved for the same period, reducing fares to $10.95 when travelling from the city to Brisbane Airport.