What the State Election means for SEQ

Seven of the ten critical infrastructure projects highlighted by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) have received commitment.
Infrastructure in SEQ

Seven of the ten critical infrastructure projects highlighted by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) have received a commitment from one or more parties in the lead up to the Queensland State Election, but the region’s Mayors say there’s still work to be done.

While the region’s candidates have heard South East Queensland’s (SEQ) election priorities loud and clear, the Mayors remained committed to working in collaboration with the future State Government to ensure these vital infrastructure projects are delivered in full for the communities of SEQ.

Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair Cr Graham Quirk said the region’s Mayors welcomed the initial commitments made by all parties, but recognised that many of them were either underfunded or still required a Commonwealth commitment to proceed.

“With SEQ representing more than seventy percent of the state’s population, it’s encouraging to see the major parties committing to deliver the major infrastructure our communities have been demanding for a long time,” said Cr Quirk.

“The long overdue North Coast Rail Line duplication, Brisbane Metro, Eastern Busway and the Pacific, Bruce, Mt Lindesay and Brisbane Valley highways all received initial nods from the major parties. These commitments acknowledge the hard work and advocacy efforts of SEQ’s Mayors and Councils.

“However, the job is not done yet. These commitments represent a good start for SEQ, but we’ll continue to work with the future State Government to ensure the region’s most critical infrastructure projects are fully funded and delivered.

“We’ll also continue to lobby for the Manly to Cleveland Rail duplication, Cunningham Highway upgrade and a passenger service from Toowoomba to Rosewood which are still needed to deliver a better connected, safe and more efficient SEQ.

“When November 25th comes and goes, the SEQ Mayors will continue to work with whoever forms government to ensure they honour their commitments and deliver the critical infrastructure we need to support the growth of this region,” said Cr Quirk.

The Council of Mayors (SEQ) has also had positive discussions with the current Queensland Government, the Liberal National Party and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation about the need for a collaborative statutory governance authority to drive the Resilient Rivers Initiative. These discussions will continue with the future State Government.

SEQ’s Most Critical Infrastructure Projects

Brisbane Metro

LNP commits to a contribution of $20 million worth of government land at Eight Mile Plains and South Brisbane to ensure the Brisbane Metro is delivered, and commit $10 million to explore extensions to Brisbane Metro and will invest in more bus services to complement Brisbane Metro once it is operational

Brisbane Valley Highway Upgrade

LNP commits $1.1 million to upgrade key sections of the Brisbane Valley Highway.

Bruce Highway Upgrades

ALP commits to establish the Bruce Highway Trust, with a total investment remit of $1 billion annually, and provide an initial injection of $175 million for targeted productivity-boosting, safety and flood resilience projects (state-wide).

LNP commits to a study of existing corridors to investigate alternative routes for the Ipswich Motorway, M1, Centenary Highway and Bruce Highway.

Cunningham Highway (Yamanto to Willowbank)

Awaiting commitment

Eastern Busway to Capalaba

ALP commits $75 million for Northern and Eastern Transitways – continuous bus lanes from Kedron to Chermside bus station, and an extension of the current Eastern Busway along Old Cleveland Road at five intersections – Cavendish, Bennetts, Boundary, Gallipoli and Creek roads – extending the busway to Carindale with bus priority measures to improve travel times, improve safety and pedestrian connectivity and improved cycle.

M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrades

ALP commits a further $206 million to help fund the upgrade of the southern M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, a $25 million upgrade the Oxenford (Exit 57) interchange, and $16 million to develop a business case for future upgrades of the M1 corridor between Eight Mile Plains and the Logan Motorway.

LNP commits $250 million towards a $500 million new four-lane arterial between Nerang and Stapylton in partnership with the Federal Government (M1 duplication), and $100 million to improve M1 ramps, specifically Exit 41 (Yatala, Ormeau), Exit 45 (Ormeau, Jacobs Well), Exit 49 (Pimpama, Jacobs Well) and Exit 57 (Hope Island, Oxenford).

Mt Lindesay Highway Upgrade (Business Case)

ALP commits $20 million to continue upgrading the Mt Lindesay Highway.

LNP commits $60 million to improve safety, bust congestion and improve the flood resilience of Mt Lindesay Highway.

PHON commits $400 million for widening the Mt Lindesay Highway.

Manly to Cleveland Rail Duplication

Awaiting commitment

North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Nambour

LNP commits $300 million towards Stage 1 of the North Coast Rail Line duplication.

PHON commits $850 million towards the North Coast Rail Line duplication.

Toowoomba to Rosewood Bus / Rail Passenger Service (Business Case)

Awaiting commitment

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