Ministerial Statement: Population growth drives record investment

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
14/11/2007

Population growth drives record investment

Expansion of the popular busway network in the greater Brisbane area highlighted significant transport achievements driven by continued population growth in south east Queensland last financial year.

Queensland Transport's annual report for 2006-07 shows that record investment in infrastructure projects typified the department's year, with projects such as construction of the Inner-Northern Busway running months ahead of schedule.

Infrastructure and public transport benefited from a $2 billion transport capital budget that was up $418 million, or 27 percent, on the previous year's budget.

"It included a $472.7 million capital investment in Queensland's public transport infrastructure, so we could continue to expand and upgrade bus and rail services for passengers, particularly in the south east corner," Transport Minister John Mickel said.

"$228.4 million was set aside for track and rollingstock upgrades on the Citytrain network, and $118 million was allocated to complete the $333 million Inner Northern Busway that will create an innovative bus and rail station at Roma Street

"Work also continued on the $216.6 million Boggo Road Busway, as well as planning of the Northern and Eastern Busways.

"It certainly has been a challenging environment, which makes the landmarks during the year under review even more significant.

"The rollout of record investment in infrastructure projects also contributed to continuing improvements in public transport services, with 30% more people using bus, train and ferry services in south east Queensland at the end of the first three years of TransLink's co-ordination."

Queensland Transport develops and manages the state's transport system to create an efficient connection between people, goods and services. By the end of last financial year, the system included almost 4 million registered vehicles, more than 2.8 million driver licences, and almost 9800km of rail corridor.


In its annual report, the department says some of its greatest challenges are to manage growth and the provision of transport infrastructure, the high levels of private vehicle use, the integration of transport and land use, equity, and containing the environmental impacts of transport.

November 14,2007

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