The Queensland government has unveiled a new infrastructure plan that is expected to generate employment opportunities for more than 1,000 people in the state.
Announced earlier this week, the three-year proposal includes setting up a State Infrastructure Fund (SIF) that will deliver key projects to help economic growth and boost employment.
The fund will initially receive $500 million, $300 million of which will go towards seven important rail and road upgrades across the state. Currently, these include:
- Pacific Motorway-Gateway Motorway Merge Upgrade (southbound lanes)
- Rockhampton Road Train Access – Stage 1
- Ipswich Motorway Upgrade – Stage 1 Darra to Rocklea
- Dawson Highway timber bridge replacement project
- Kawana and Nicklin Way
- Riverway Drive duplication in Townsville
- North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Project
Building for the future
A number of substantial reforms are also included in the State Infrastructure Plan, with the Palaszczuk government keen to overhaul the systems by which Queensland invests and prioritises key initiatives.
The plan adds to previous reform efforts such as the formulation of Building Queensland, which provides independent advice to the government regarding major infrastructure ventures.
“Our initial injection of funds will also target projects that have a clear community need and will help address important regional and economic priorities, including jobs for Queenslanders,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stated.
Ms Palaszczuk also urged the Commonwealth to match the state government’s contributions to infrastructure funding on several projects, including the Ipswich Motorway, the North Queensland Stadium and Cross River Rail.
More jobs in Queensland
Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, said $180 million of the SIF will be set aside for important regional schemes that local communities select.
“We will soon begin work to identify how this $180 million investment can be used most effectively to deliver jobs and grow Queensland’s economy after the resources boom,” she remarked.
“Our $500 million State Infrastructure Fund builds on the Palaszczuk government’s existing capital budget of $35 billion over four years, which has supported more than 27,500 jobs across Queensland this year alone.”
News that infrastructure projects are ramping up across the state will likely be encouraging for apprentices and trainees in Queensland, who could find that employment opportunities are more readily available.
This may be particularly true for apprentices in the trades, with Ms Trad confirming the State Infrastructure Plan provides much-needed impetus for the building sector.
By Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator
