Federal Budget 2024-25

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The Treasurer will deliver the 2024–25 Budget at approximately 7:30 pm (AEST) on Tuesday 14 May 2024

https://budget.gov.au

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https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/national-active-transport-fund

National Active Transport Fund

The Hon Catherine King MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

7th May 2024

The Albanese Government is investing to ensure our cities and regional centres across the country are more liveable, active and connected. 

At the upcoming Budget, we are committing $100 million to a new national Active Transport Fund that will upgrade and deliver new bicycle and walking paths.

This will support zero emissions travel, provide a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians, and promote active and liveable communities.

The program guidelines will be developed in consultation with states and territories are expected to be made public ahead of a 1 July 2025 start.

Safe and accessible active transport options, like walking and cycling, help boost social connection, promote healthy choices and make our cities and regions more vibrant places to live.

That's why the Albanese Government is investing in the infrastructure that helps people get to school, work and local services safely without needing to jump in the car.

We are getting on with delivering a better future for all Australians, one made in Australia that builds economic opportunity and thriving communities

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

"We want communities to thrive whether they be in cities or in the regions.

"We are investing to build economic opportunity and also the opportunity for people to enjoy the spaces and places they live in, building connection and improving safety."

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Facebook ...

Federal Budget 2024-25: National Active Transport Fund The Hon Catherine King MP Minister for Infrastructure,...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Tuesday 7 May 2024

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https://x.com/couriermail/status/1788683576868851863

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https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1789697615183200307

Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL) thread > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=283526

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https://budget.gov.au/content/bp2/download/bp2_2024-25.pdf

Page 144

In part ...


– $1.2 billion for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line in Queensland

– $431.7 million for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (Coomera to Nerang) in Queensland

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Couriermail reports https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/federal-budget-2024-qld-gets-road-and-rail-funds-question-mark-over-water/news-story/415b5d69c08db2ea319504df83f5895a

" There is also another $226.7m for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade, which had blown out to $1bn in December 2023 after initially costing $550m. "

Haven't found where this is the budget papers yet.

[ozbob]

The Australian --> Federal budget funds $16 billion for road and rail projects $

... Southeast Queensland will receive $2.2bn for transport projects designed to accommodate an increased population and unlock future housing development.

As well as the funding for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail, the government has committed $226.7m for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade, ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

An extra $431.7m will be provided for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 project, and an extra $467.2m is being committed for the Bruce Highway Corridor. The government will spend $2.6bn in road and rail projects in regional Australia, including $541.7m for upgrades to critical roads in Northern Australia and an additional $290.1m for the Gippsland Rail Line Upgrade in Victoria.

Following the completion of additional planning, $720m will be released for the construction of the Inland Freight Route in Queensland, providing an alternative to the Bruce Highway.

The government will also invest $540m to improve the reliability of the Australian Rail Track Corporation's interstate freight rail network, including $150m to upgrade the Maroona to Portland Line in Victoria.
 ...

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Federal Budget 2024-25 https://budget.gov.au Major items in the budget for transport in SEQ are: $1.2 billion...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Tuesday 14 May 2024

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https://www.forg.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/FORG-Media-Statement-Rail-freight-industry-welcomes-1-billion-infrastructure-resilience-package-14-May-2024-1.pdf

Rail freight industry welcomes Federal Budget funding for rail infrastructure resilience

The industry group representing Australia's largest rail freight operators and infrastructure owners has welcomed an investment of more than $1 billion to improve the resilience of the interstate rail network, supported by a $540 million funding package by the Federal Government announced in tonight's budget.

An additional funding commitment of more than $500 million by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), via its Network Investment Program, will take the rail infrastructure resilience package to more than$1 billion.

The package includes targeted projects aimed at preventing outages from flooding and severe weather events on the key east-west and north-south rail freight corridors that serve Australian consumers, industry and export sectors such as resources and agriculture. Investments will include the upgrade of existing crossing loops and culverts, track rehabilitation and re-railing, signalling works and sleeper replacements.

"This is a very welcome investment in improving the resilience, reliability and competitiveness of interstate rail freight services which are so vital for a healthy, growing Australian economy," said Andrew Harding, Chair of the Freight on Rail Group (FORG) and Aurizon's Managing Director & CEO

"Improving the resilience of interstate rail infrastructure is a key priority of the Freight on Rail Group.

More efficient and reliable rail freight supply chains are good for the economy because they enable increased investment by rail freight operators and customers to increase volumes on rail, and they also deliver community, safety and environmental benefits.

"As Australia moves rapidly to decarbonise transport supply chains, rail freight can do the heavy lifting for the nation because it is substantially more energy efficient and less carbon intensive than road transport.

"Flooding and high rainfall events have resulted in a number of significant outages to infrastructure in recent years. For example, on the east-west corridor between Sydney/Melbourne and Perth we have seen outages due to flooding averaging 40 days per year over the last three years.

"Given the importance of reducing the impacts from future weather events, FORG also supports the timely implementation of the infrastructure projects that will improve interstate rail freight resilience."

FORG members contribute more than $11 billion to Australia's economy each year, employ almost 20,000 people, operate 1,600 freight locomotives and manage 23,000 kilometres of rail track. They include Arc Infrastructure, Aurizon, Australian Rail Track Corporation, One Rail Australia, Pacific National, Qube Holdings, SCT Logistics, Southern Shorthaul Railroad and Watco Australia.

Rail-based freight and logistics operations perform a vital role for Australia's export industries and in domestic markets. FORG welcomes the government's support and recognition of the importance of efficiently meeting future freight demand and continuing to improve the competitiveness of freight supply chains.


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Budget MR=$540m for DIRN includes:
$140m to > flood resilience from 1:13 to 1:100 years on the TAR & NSW Main South. 
$100m to replace 47kg/m rail with 60kg/m rail on the TAR
$150m in NSW Main South track rehab & upgrades; 
$150m for Maroona-Portland line (Vic) rehab.

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Couriermail --> Editorial: Qld misses out, but at least the platypus are safe $

There are few announcements of significance for Queensland in the 1000 or so pages that accompany this budget, writes the editor.

Now we know why it was that Premier Steven Miles chose federal budget day to launch an unprecedented attack on his Labor colleagues in Canberra for opening the migration floodgates.

He was taking a leaf from Annastacia Palaszczuk's playbook in attacking the federal government for its lack of investment in this booming state – and according to this budget the Premier might well have a valid point.

There in black and white, the budget – federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers's third – confirms a flood of overseas migration is not being matched with the investments in transport, housing and community infrastructure to support it.

There are few announcements of significance for Queensland in the 1000 or so pages that accompany this budget.  ...

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Gold Coast Bulletin https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/federal-budget-2024-what-it-means-for-gold-coast-including-coomera-connector-and-housing/news-story/72801f90911008cea5ef714dbc9495f3

... The budget contained no funding for critical 2032 Olympic Games transport projects including Stage 4 of the light rail between Burleigh Heads and the border, or the heavy rail extension from Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast Airport ...

[SurfRail]

^ Neither of those has a business case in place yet so neither surprised nor disappointed.  The stage 4 business case will probably only be ready in time for a funding commitment in the 25/26 budget.

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Couriermail --> Budget's billions for Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games $

The federal government will chip in more than $3 billion towards the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, as funding figures for 2032 projects are released for the first time.

The 2024-25 budget has seen a $3.4bn spend on infrastructure investment, including $2.5bn towards Brisbane Arena and a further $935m allocated for remaining sporting and entertainment venues across Queensland.

Commonwealth funding will compliment state funding, with Queensland looking to spend $1.6bn on redeveloping the Queensland Academy of Sport into a the main track arena for the games. ...

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Rail investment component:

Budget Paper No. 3 page 71

https://budget.gov.au/content/bp3/download/bp3_2024-25.pdf

[Gazza]

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/bruce-highway-gympie-maryborough-tiaro-bypass-construct-four-lane-bypass

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Brisbanetimes --> LNP slams Labor for 'cheering' budget, but premier notes a lack of 'new money' $

The news

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says the federal budget is a choice by the Albanese government to prioritise its political survival over infrastructure planning in one of the country's fastest-growing states.

Even Labor Premier Steven Miles acknowledged the lack of new money from his federal party mates for road and rail projects, with others scaled back or facing unanswered questions since the last budget.

But he stopped short of outright criticism.

"This was a budget that prioritised contributing to the costs of households. So, you shouldn't be surprised that there wasn't lots of new money for lots of new projects," Miles told a media conference in Bundaberg on Wednesday.  ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1790789468515090717

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Couriermail --> Federal Budget 2024 wins for Ipswich listed $

Ipswich road bottlenecks and manufacturing are the big winners out of Tuesday's federal Budget, with local MPs and the Mayor welcoming the cash injections.

Key local infrastructure projects to be funded included a modest Cunningham Hwy safety package and $134.5 million investment to upgrade a Warrego Hwy intersection blackspot.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann welcomed the upgrade to the Mt Crosby Rd interchange, as well as $42.5 million contribution to fixing the Bremer River Bridge.

"The Warrego Hwy is one of Queensland's main freight corridors, while the Mount Crosby Rd interchange is a major bottleneck during peak hour for commuters and a notorious crash site," Mr Neumann said.

"Following community consultation on the Mount Crosby Rd interchange, the preferred design will include a new interchange improving access to Karalee and an alternate route to relieve pressure on existing roundabouts and off-ramps. ...