Media Releases
Thursday, 19th May 2011
Federal Budget Delivers For Queensland
Queenslanders were big winners in last week’s Federal Budget, with the Gillard Labor Government providing even more funding to upgrade the road and public transport infrastructure they rely upon.
Not only did it reinstate the five Bruce Highway projects deferred as part of our initial response to the string of natural disasters to hit Queensland earlier this year, the Budget also commissioned more than $200 million of new funding for projects and brought forward $133 million of funding.
Since coming to office in late 2007, we’ve more than doubled infrastructure funding to a record $8.5 billion over six years. In the next 12 months, $1.2 billion will be provided to start, progress or complete a long list of large and smaller scale projects.
To coincide with my visit today to Townsville – location of one of the newly commissioned road projects – I’ve released a Progress Report (see attachment) outlining the status of all the Federally-funded projects included the new and reinstated ones.
It confirms that of the 48 projects scheduled to be delivered across Queensland by the end of the current six-year Nation Building Program in 2013-14, 6 are already completed and work on the rest is progressing on schedule.
Once fully rolled out, this capital works program will leave a real and lasting legacy including:
- Quicker, safer journeys for more than 500,000 motorists and truck drivers a day;
- A cleaner, faster way of getting around for tens of thousands of Brisbane and Gold Coast residents;
- A better, less flood prone Bruce Highway connecting Brisbane to the communities up and down the Queensland coast.
All up, the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) has calculated the investment we’re currently making will deliver long term economic, social and environmental benefits worth $25.7 billion.
That’s a healthy rate of return of $3.22 for every $1 invested.
That’s why we’re determined to return to the Budget to surplus in the short term while maintaining the longer term investments vital to making the Queensland economy more productive, its regions more prosperous and its communities even more liveable.
From Cape York in the north to the Gold Coast in the south, the Gillard Labor Government has reversed the neglect we inherited and begun putting in place the modern, well-planned infrastructure critical to making Queensland even more prosperous and its economy even more productive.
Queensland Report Card: Nation Building Program (2008-09 To 2013-14)
Major Road Projects:
| Project | Status | Benefits | Usage (Vehicles per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
Pacific Motorway (Coomera Interchange Upgrade) - construct a new signalised link road and left turn slip road. Federal contribution: $15 million Total construction cost: $30 million | Completed | The project has improved the flow of traffic through the interchange as well as along the Motorway itself, providing motorists with smoother, less frustrating driving conditions. | 90,000 |
Pacific Motorway (Nerang South Interchange Upgrade) - install traffic lights and construct a second overpass. Federal contribution: $22.5 million Total construction cost: $45 million | Completed | The project has reduced peak hour queuing on approaches to the roundabouts as well as improved safety and eased congestion along the Motorway itself. | 72,000 |
Pacific Motorway (Mudgeeraba Interchange Upgrade) - construct a four lane duplicated overpass bridge and install traffic lights on the western side of the Motorway. Federal contribution: $23.5 million Total construction cost: $47 million | Completed | The project has eased congestion, improved traffic flow and safety, and provided better pedestrian and cycle facilities. | 82,000 |
Pacific Motorway (Robina & Varsity Lakes Interchanges Upgrade) - upgrade the Robina interchange by replacing the existing roundabouts at the eastern and western ends of the overpass bridge with traffic signal controlled intersections and the Varsity Lakes interchange by replacing the existing roundabouts with synchronised traffic signal controlled intersections. Federal contribution: $70 million Total construction cost: $140 million | Varsity Lakes: COMPLETED Robina: IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | These projects will improve the flow of traffic through the interchanges as well as along the Motorway itself, providing motorists with smoother, less frustrating driving conditions. It will also deliver better access for pedestrians and cyclists. | 90,000 |
Pacific Motorway (Nerang to Worongary) - widen the road from four to six lanes between Nerang (Exit 73) and Worongary (Exit 77) plus safety improvements on the Worongary interchange. Federal Contribution: $79 million Total construction cost: $158 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will ease congestion along this section of motorway and address safety concerns at the Worongary Interchange. | 100,000 |
Gateway Motorway (Springwood South to Daisy Hill, Section B) - upgrade and widen a 2.5 kilometre section of road. Federal Contribution: $210 million Total construction cost: $420 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, less congested driving conditions along this section of motorway. | 81,000 |
Ipswich Motorway (Dinmore to Goodna) - realign and widen to six lanes approximately 8 kilometres of road between Dinmore and the Ipswich/Logan Motorway Interchange. It will also separate local from long distance traffic. Federal contribution: $1,764.6 million Total construction cost: $1,764.6 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will ease congestion, with motorists benefiting from faster, smoother and less frustrating driving conditions. | 85,600 |
Mains and Kessels Interchange - install a grade separation at the intersection between these two roads. Federal contribution: $300 million Total construction cost: $300 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will improve the flow of traffic through the intersection, providing motorists with safer, less frustrating driving conditions. | 84,000 |
Gateway Motorway North (Nudgee Road to Bruce Highway) - construct an additional northbound lane between the Sandgate Road Interchange and the existing five lane section south of the Deagon Deviation. Federal contribution: $125 million Total construction cost: $125 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, faster and less congested driving conditions. | 72,000 |
Bruce Highway - Sarina to Cairns - Black Spots - Safety enhancement works at crash black spots on the Bruce Highway between Sarina and Cairns. Federal contribution: $105 million Total construction cost: $105 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The black spot projects will improve safety for road users | N/A |
Bruce Highway - Sarina to Cairns - Rest Areas - involves the construction of new rest areas, vehicle stopping places and audible edge lines between Sarina and Cairns. Federal contribution: $5 million Total construction cost: $5 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The new rest areas will enhance safety for road users, especially heavy vehicle operators. | N/A |
Bruce Highway - Sarina to Cairns - Overtaking Lanes - Construction of up to 30 new overtaking lanes on the Bruce Highway between Sarina and Cairns. Federal contribution: $60 million Total construction cost: $60 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The works will improve safety and reduce travel times on the Bruce Highway. | N/A |
Bruce Highway (Southern Approach to Cairns) - construct an additional inbound lane and new overpasses; eliminate existing level crossings; improve access to service roads; install traffic management systems; and provide better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. Federal contribution: $150 million Total construction cost: $150 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, faster and less congested driving conditions along the highway as well as easier access to and from the City's growing southern suburbs. | 55,000 |
Bruce Highway (Raise Southern Approach to the Mulgrave River Bridge) - To raise 2.5 kilometres of the Bruce Highway on the southern approach to the Mulgrave River Bridge to improve flood immunity. Federal contribution: $40 million Total construction cost: $40 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will improve flood immunity on this section of the Bruce Highway. | TBA |
Bruce Highway (Vantassel Street to Flinders Highway) - involves the duplication of seven kilometres of highway from Vantassel Street to Flinders Highway, south of Townsville, to four lanes and includes the widening of the Stuart Creek Bridge. Federal contribution: $110 million Total construction cost: $110 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will reduce congestion, improve safety and flood immunity, and provide improved access to industrial and residential developments to the south of Townsville. | 14,000 |
Bruce Highway (Douglas Arterial Duplication) - upgrade 5.6 kilometre of road to a divided two lane dual carriageway. Federal Contribution: $55 million Total construction cost: $110 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, faster and less congested driving conditions as well as take trucks off local roads and away from Townsville's CBD. | 26,000 |
Bruce Highway (Cardwell Range Realignment) - flatten and straighten the highway over the Cardwell Range, construct a 180 metre long viaduct and replace the existing rail overpass. Federal contribution: $90 million Total construction cost: $115 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, faster driving conditions, particularly for truck drivers, as well as reduce the chances of land slips and rock falls. | 32,000 |
Townsville Port Access Road - construct a new dedicated freight route connecting the Bruce and Flinders highways to the Port of Townsville. Federal contribution: $95 million Total construction cost: $190 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will give the operators of road trains direct access to the port. Currently, they have to stop at the City's outskirts and break their vehicles up into single trailers before accessing the port via semi-suburban roads - a process which adds costs and time to a driver's journey. By reducing the noise, dust and vibrations caused by heavy vehicle traffic, the project will also improve the quality of life for residents living near the Port. | Stage 1: Stage 2: |
Bruce Highway (Southern Approach to Mackay) - widen the highway to four lanes between Temples Lane and Boundary Road as well as upgrade a number of intersections. Federal contribution: $50 million Total construction cost: $50 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will ease congestion and deliver safer, faster driving conditions. | 12,500 |
Realign and raise Highway from Sandy Corner to Collinsons Lagoon - involves the realignment and raising of a four kilometre section of the Bruce Highway from Sandy Corner to Collinsons Lagoon, nine kilometres north of Ayr. Federal contribution: $50 million Total construction cost: $50 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will improve flood immunity and the reliability and safety of transport operations on this section of the Bruce Highway. | 6,500 |
Bruce Highway (Upgrade of the Burdekin River bridge) - major work on the steel girders and the elimination of rust. Federal contribution: $25 million Total construction cost: $25 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will rehabilitate improve the bridge and as a result reduced travel time and route reliability. | 8,500 |
Burdekin Road safety Audit projects - involves funding for projects identified by the Burdekin Road Safety Audit, including upgrading intersections along three kilometres of Edward Street in Ayr between Queen Street and Jones Street. Federal contribution: $25 million Total construction cost: $25 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will improve safety on the Bruce Highway in the Burdekin area. | 8,500 |
Bruce Highway (Southern Approach to Sarina) - upgrade and straighten the Highway heading south out of Sarina. Federal contribution: $10 million Total construction cost: $10 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, faster driving conditions. | 6,900 |
Bruce Highway - Curra to Sarina (Black Spots) - involves safety enhancement works at known crash blackspots on the Bruce Highway between Curra and Sarina. Federal contribution: $115 million Total construction cost: $115 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The black spot projects will improve safety for road users. | N/A |
Bruce Highway - Curra to Sarina (Rest Areas) - involves the construction of new rest areas, vehicle stopping places and audible edge lines between Curra and Sarina. Federal contribution: $20 million Total construction cost: $20 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The new rest areas will enhance safety for road users, especially heavy vehicle operators. | N/A |
Bruce Highway - Curra to Sarina (Overtaking Lanes) - Construction of up to 25 new overtaking lanes on the Bruce Highway between Curra and Sarina. Federal contribution: $105 million Total construction cost: $105 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The works will improve safety and reduce travel times on the Bruce Highway. | N/A |
Bruce Highway (Calliope Crossroads) - involves a major upgrade of the intersection of the Bruce and Dawson Highways, near Gladstone. Federal contribution: $150 million Total construction cost: $150 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will increase the safety of traffic by eliminating conflict points, reduce travel time for freight and travellers and improve productivity. | 8,800 |
Bruce Highway (Cabbage Tree Creek to Carman Road and Back Creek Range section) - involves realigning the Highway north of Gin Gin between Cabbage Tree Creek to Carmen Road and at Back Creek Range. The improvements will provide an improved alignment with a wider road surface on flatter grades. Federal contribution: $100 million Total construction cost: $100 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | This project will provide substantially improved road safety through improved alignment, wider traffic lanes and sealed shoulders. | 3,400 |
Bruce Highway (Southern Approach to Gin Gin) - realign and flatten approximately 2 kilometres of highway just south of Gin Gin. Federal contribution: $20 million Total construction cost: $20 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, faster driving conditions, particularly for southbound trucks climbing out of Gin Gin. | 3,700 |
Bruce Highway (New Isis River Bridge) - erect a new wider and higher bridge over the Isis River as well as straighten and upgrade the approaches to it. Federal contribution: $25 million Total construction cost: $29 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will minimise the chances of the highway being cut by flood waters. | 7,700 |
Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra, Section B) - construct a four-lane divided carriageway along a new alignment between two new interchanges, one south of Sankeys Road and the other south of Traveston Road. Federal contribution: $488 million Total construction cost: $613 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, faster driving conditions along one of the most notorious stretches of highway in Queensland. | 15,000 |
Bruce Highway (Caboolture to Caloundra) - involves the upgrading of intersections and interchanges between Caboolture and Caloundra. Federal contribution: $195 million Total construction cost: $195 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | This project will; increase capacity, improve motorway performance, improve road safety and reduce travel time | |
Bruce Highway - Caboolture to Curra (Black Spots) - involves safety enhancement works at known crash blackspots on the Bruce Highway between Curra and Sarina. Federal contribution: $30 million Total construction cost: $30 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will improve safety and reduce travel times. | N/A |
Bruce Highway (Curra to Childers) - strengthen and widen key sections of highway between Curra and Childers, replace old bitumen and widen culverts to improve driving conditions. Federal contribution: $25 million Total construction cost: $25 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will improve safety on the Bruce Highway for all road users and enhance transport efficiency. | 8,700 |
Bruce Highway (Childers to Sarina) - strengthen and widen key sections of highway between Childers and Sarina, replace old bitumen and widen culverts to improve driving conditions. Federal contribution: $70 million Total construction cost: $70 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will improve safety on the Bruce Highway for all road users and enhance transport efficiency. | 2,750 |
Bruce Highway (Nambour Pavement Reconstruction) - rehabilitate and resurface both the north and south bound lanes between Maroochydore Road and Parklands. Federal contribution: $35 million Total construction cost: $35 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will deliver safer, smoother driving condition as well as reduce future maintenance costs. | 31,500 |
Warrego Highway (Roma to Mitchell) - build a new breakdown area near Roma and erect a new bridge over the Maranoa River at Mitchell. Federal contribution: $40 million Total construction cost: $50 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will give Type 2 road trains access to Roma, as well as improve safety for all users of this stretch of highway. | 5,000 |
Warrego Highway (Additional Overtaking Lanes) - construct up to five extra overtaking lanes between Oakey and Dalby. Federal contribution: $10 million Total construction cost: $10 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will provide motorists and truck drivers with additional opportunities to safely pass slower moving vehicles. | 12,000 |
Warrego Highway (New and Refurnished Rest Areas) - construct six new and/or upgraded existing rest areas, as well as six heavy vehicle stopping places as well as lay audible edge lines. Federal contribution: $5 million Total construction cost: $5 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will help address the lack of safe, modern roadside facilities, providing motorists and truck drivers with more opportunities to take a break and get the rest they need. | 12,000 |
Northern Link (Legacy Way) - bore two, two-lane tunnels approximately 4.6 kilometres in length connecting the Western Freeway at Toowong with the Inner City Bypass at Kelvin Grove. Federal contribution: $500 million Total construction cost: $1,536 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will provide an alternative to the Western Freeway, potentially delivering faster journeys and better access to the Airport as well as easing congestion along Milton Road and Coronation Drive. | 32,500 |
Peninsula Development Road Federal contribution: $15 million Total construction cost: $30 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will provide better connections between the principal road servicing Cape York Peninsula and the National Network south of Cairns. It will also generate indirect benefits for Cairns as the regional transport hub. | Under 1,000 |
Wills Development Road - seal 7.5 kilometres of existing dirt road between Gregory Downs, 230 kilometres north of Mount Isa, and Burketown. Federal contribution: $4.5 million Total construction cost: $9 million | COMPLETED | The project has improved safety for all road users, operational efficiency, community access and local indigenous employment and training opportunities in the North West Queensland Region, which is frequently closed in the wet season. | 150 |
Cape York Remote Community Road Upgrades (Lockhart River Access Road) - reconstruct approximately 5 kilometres of road between the Lockhart Aboriginal Community and the boundary of Iron Range National Park. Federal contribution: $2 million Total construction cost: $4 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will reduce the frequency and length of the periodic road closures which isolate indigenous communities and through traffic, reduce transport operation costs, improve road conditions and regional access through upgraded construction to a sealed standard. Also improve the safe operation of transport vehicles within a traffic dominated by indigenous and tourist vehicles. | 150 |
Cape York Remote Community Road Upgrades (Aurukun Access Road) - involves the installation of drainage structures and the reconstruction of the earthworks and gravel formation along sections of the roadway. Total construction cost: $3 million | COMPLETED | The project has improved road conditions and regional access through the upgrading of the road to a Q50 flood immunity and sealed standard. | 150 |
Cape York Remote Community Road Upgrades (Pormpuraaw Access Road) - upgrade and reconstruct sections of the access road. Federal contribution: $1.9 million Total construction cost: $3.8 million | COMPLETED | The project will improve road conditions and regional access through the upgrading of the road to a Q50 flood immunity and sealed standard. | 150 |
Cape York Remote Community Road Upgrades (Northern Peninsula Access Road) - construct causeways with culverts at four creek crossings and address scouring. Federal contribution: $1.55 million Total construction cost: $3.1 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will benefit all road users by improving the road surface, flood immunity and accessibility for the Cape York communities. It will also benefit the regional economy of Cape York, which is heavily reliant upon the tourism industry. | 150 |
Cape York Remote Community Road Upgrades (Kowanyama Access Road) - upgrade identified trouble spots totalling 6 kilometres over 26 kilometres. Federal contribution: $0.8 million Total construction cost: $1.6 million | UNDERWAY Completion date: | The project will benefit all road users by improving the road surface, flood immunity and accessibility for the Cape York communities. It will also benefit the regional economy of Cape York, which is heavily reliant upon the tourism industry. | 150 |
Cape York Remote Community Road Upgrades (Bloomfield Road) - Total construction cost: $ 5.5 million | IN PLANNING Start date: Completion date: | The project will improve access to local communities. | 150 |
Other Infrastructure Investments:
In addition to major road projects, the Gillard Labor Government's Nation Building Program is also providing funding to:
- Complete the first stage of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit (light rail), a thirteen kilometre line connecting Griffith University and the new University Hospital to Broadbeach via the key centres of Southport and Surfers Paradise. Being delivered in partnership with the State Government and the local council, this is the City's biggest ever transport infrastructure project (Federal contribution: $365 million) - Underway;
- Construct in partnership with the State Government and the local council the new Moreton Bay Rail Link, a 12.6 kilometre dual track line between Petrie and Kippa-Ring with new stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Kinsellas Road, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring (Federal contribution: $742 million) - In Planning;
- Undertake the most extensive modernisation of the interstate rail freight network in generations, including extending its reach into Queensland for the first time with the upgrade of the line between the border and the Brisbane suburb of Acacia Ridge to standard gauge - Underway;
- Build eight new rest stops along the State's highways, providing drivers with even more opportunities to take a break or reconfigure their trailers (Federal contribution: $6.4 million) - Underway;
- Fix hundreds of dangerous black spots on local roads (Federal contribution: $103.7 million) - Underway;
- Install boom gates and other safety measures at 66 high risk levels crossings (Federal contribution: $42.7 million) - Completed;
- Assist councils maintain and upgrade their local roads, with the financial support now almost 25 per cent higher than what it was under the former government - On Going.
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Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Authorised by Anthony Albanese. 334a Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.