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Tuesday, 10th May 2011

Queensland Continues To Benefit From Record Investment

The 2011-12 Budget continues the rollout of the Gillard Labor Government’s record capital works program which is renewing and expanding Queensland’s road, rail and public transport infrastructure.


In this Budget, the Government will provide $335 million in new funding over the six-year life of the existing Nation Building Program (2008-09 to 2013-14). This brings our total transport related infrastructure investment in the state to $8.5 billion.


This coming financial year alone, we will be providing $1.2 billion to start, progress or complete a long list of projects – see below.


The new funding allocated in the 2011-12 Budget will be used to:


• Guarantee the timely delivery of the new Moreton Bay Rail Link in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. Instead of 2014-15 as stated prior to last year’s general election, the first instalment of Federal funding for this project will now be delivered in 2011-12 – Federal contribution: $742 million;


• Undertake the Mackay Ring Road Study – 2010 Election Commitment; commencing in 2011-12*;


• Complete the remaining section of the Townsville Ring Road – 2010 Election Commitment; planning work commencing in 2011-12*;


• Upgrade of the intersection between the Bruce and Capricorn Highways – 2010 Election Commitment; construction work commencing in 2011-12*;


• Build the Gladstone Port Access Road – 2010 Election Commitment; planning work commencing in 2011-12*;


• Construct a new interchange along the Warrego Highway at Blacksoils – 2010 Election Commitment; construction work commencing in 2011-12*;


• Upgrade the Peak Downs Highway – 2010 Election Commitment; planning work commencing in 2011-12*;


* Project being delivered as part of the existing Nation Building Program using funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).


Using savings from within the existing Nation Building Program, the 2011-12 Budget also reinstates the five Bruce Highway projects deferred as part of our initial response to Queensland’s unprecedented string of natural disasters.


This decision was taken following advice from the Queensland Government that it had the capacity to complete both the reconstruction activities as well as deliver the long term upgrades vital to making the Bruce Highway a better, safer and less flood prone road.


The reinstated projects are:


• Duplicating the highway between Vantassel Street and Flinders Highway – Federal contribution: $110 million;


• Realigning and raising the highway between Sandy Corner and Collinsons Lagoon – Federal contribution: $50 million;


• Safety improvements at the Burdekin Road intersection – Federal contribution: $25 million;


• Realigning the highway north of Gin Gin between Cabbage Tree Creek and Carmen Road as well as at Back Creek Range to provide a wider road surface on flatter grades – Federal contribution: $100 million;


• Upgrading the interchanges along the highway between Caboolture and Caloundra – Federal contribution: $195 million.


In addition to those identified above, work will start on the following major projects during the coming financial year (2011-12):


• Realigning and widening the Bruce Highway through Cairns’ southern suburbs between Ray Jones Drive and Sheehy Road – Federal contribution: $150 million;


• Upgrading the intersection between Mains and Kessels Roads in the Brisbane suburb of Macgregor – Federal contribution: $300 million.


At the other end of the construction cycle, work is expected to be completed on the following projects over the next 12 months:


• Widening the Pacific Motorway from four to six lanes between Nerang (Exit 73) and Worongary (Exit 77) plus safety improvements on the Worongary interchange – Federal contribution: $79 million;


• Upgrading the Pacific Motorway’s Robina Interchange (Exit 82) – Federal contribution: $30 million;


• Upgrading and widening a 2.5 kilometre section of the Gateway Motorway between Springwood South and Daisy Hill (Section B) – Federal contribution: $210 million;


• Upgrading and straightening the Bruce Highway heading south out of Sarina – Federal contribution: $10 million;


• Erecting a new wider and higher bridge along the Bruce Highway over the Isis River as well as straightening and upgrading the approaches to it – Federal contribution: $25 million;


• Sealing 15 kilometres of the Peninsula Development Road between Lakeland and Laura plus completing minor works on creek crossings north of Laura - Federal contribution: $15 million;


• Upgrading of the Northern Peninsula Road to improve access - Federal contribution: $1.55 million;


• Upgrading of the Kowanyama Community Access Road - Federal contribution: $0.8 million; and


• Reconstruction works on the Nambour Bypass section of the Bruce Highway - Federal contribution: $35 million


We will also continue funding a range of initiatives designed to make our highways and local roads safer:


• $17.1 million to eliminate another 44 dangerous black spots on local roads;


• $5.6 million for rest stops and the other roadside facilities used by truck drivers.


The 2011-12 Budget also provides $194.8 million to assist Queensland’s councils maintain and upgrade their local roads.


Since being elected a little over three years ago, this Labor Government’s infrastructure priorities have been all about positioning Queensland to take full advantage of the next resources boom as well as tackling congestion across the state’s South East Corner.


From Cape York in the north to the Gold Coast in the south, the Gillard Labor Government is putting in place the modern, well-planned infrastructure critical to making Queensland even more prosperous and its economy even more productive.


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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

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.

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