Treasurer 2008/2009 Budget Statements

[ozbob]

Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
03/06/2008

Transport Number One Priority in Massive Capital Works Budget

The first Bligh Government State Budget has delivered a multi-billion dollar package to tackle traffic congestion and transport infrastructure challenges, with new trains and buses on order and on the way.

Premier Anna Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser said $6.9 billion capital works program for Transport and Main Roads would help combat overcrowding on the state's roads and increase safety, including major upgrades and initiatives to leave the car at home and use public transport.

Ms Bligh said spending on urban congestion is backed by the Government's commitment to the regional road network, with the Main Roads budget for outside southeast Queensland topping $1.33 billion.

"As well as delivering a safe and efficient regional road network, my Government is committed to tackling congestion by delivering on congestion-busting infrastructure now and into the future."

Mr Fraser said key projects will move forward this year.

"We will keep the Eastern Busway moving and we are providing the funds for the Northern Busway and airport roundabout work, given the green light in the massive Airport Link project," he said.

"We have allocated $50 million for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project this year as we work to lock in a solution and get funding agreement and another $127 million extending the rail line from Robina to Varsity Lakes.

"We will complete the Sunshine Motorway Upgrade at David Low Way with $32 million to complete the project on top of the $52 million we have already spent.

"You can see the $52 million we have spent on the Caloundra Road upgrade and we will spend $27 million to finish it this year.

"You can see the $68 million we have spent on the Houghton Highway duplication and we will spend $150 million in this budget as the bridge stretches over to Redcliffe.

"Twelve new three car train sets will arrive this year as the Budget funds $162 million over the next four years for an order of 58 new three car units for future years. That's more train carriages on the line to cope with demand increases.

"More than $168 million will be pumped into the Translink public transport system to pay for more services including funding for 90 new buses for Brisbane this financial year

"$10 million will be set aside next year to pursue strategies including proven initiatives which promote public transport, cycling and walking."

Mr Fraser said the Main Roads capital budget will help build tomorrow's road network today.

"The Bligh Government is undertaking a massive infrastructure program to manage Queensland's growth."

Ms Bligh said significant investment is being made to continue major infrastructure projects outlined in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP).

Congestion busting moves in SEQIPP that are funded in the Budget include:

? $254 million for the Darra to Springfield transport corridor - duplicating the Centenary Highway and duplicating the rail line to enable the extension to Springfield

? $204.5 million in 2008-09 for the Northern Busway between the Royal Children's Hospital and Kedron and $234.2 million towards construction of an Eastern Busway corridor connection from the Eleanor Schonell Bridge to Ipswich Road and from Princess Alexandra Hospital to Buranda to Main Avenue

? $697.6 million to upgrade infrastructure and rollingstock on the CityTrain network, including additional rollingstock to deliver substantial service enhancements between the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, $130 million on the Springfield Line and $127 million on extending the rail line from Robina to Varsity Lakes

? $33.7 million to provide new cycling facilities across South East Queensland.

"On-going investment in our SEQIPP projects will deliver transport infrastructure that will alleviate traffic congestion and freight bottlenecks," Ms Bligh said.

"But part of the bigger picture is to encourage more motorists to take advantage of our public transport networks and to give them improved facilities as part of our cycleways and walkways networks."

The 2008-09 Budget also includes a suite of TravelSmart initiatives, off-peak freight efficiency trials, and an investigation into a rapid transit system between West End and Newstead.

"TravelSmart initiatives encourage people to look at getting to work or school by making smarter choices such as cycling or car pooling," Ms Bligh said.

"A forward looking infrastructure program and attractive alternatives to driving are good for congestion and good for Queenslanders."

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[ozbob]

The 58 three car trains are additional to the present 44 progressively being rolled out, is the advice I have received.

I am endeavouring to seek clarification on the reference to the Springfield line in the Treasurer's statement above.  Is it going ahead?

[ozbob]

Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
03/06/2008

Infrastructure budget up 21 per cent - to a record $17 billion


The State Government will invest $17 billion in 2008-09 on roads and dams, schools and housing, health and drought-proofing projects - an increase of more than 21 per cent on last year's budget.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the $17 billion capital program for the next year was an increase of $3 billion on last year's budget, and included projects critical to the future Queensland.

"Queensland is growing - and fast. Our population is growing and our economy is growing at rates which outpace the nation," Mr Fraser said.

"The Bligh Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that we build the infrastructure to service our bulging population.

"This budget allocates record funding to our key frontline service delivery areas - to health, to education, to traffic congestion, to housing and to ensuring we have water supplies to take us into the future.

"The State Budget is funding the infrastructure boom Queenslanders can witness:
. The Gateway Bridge duplication climbing above the ground
. The Eastern Busway being forged through the inner-east
. The Desalination Plant almost complete on the Gold Coast
. The Caloundra Road and Sunshine Motorway upgrades nearing completion
. The Townsville and Bundaberg Ring Roads under construction, the bridges being built in Mackay, the massive expansion of Abbot Point Coal Terminal . the list goes on.

"Today we deliver on getting it in place and this is a budget that delivers to the regions.

"Almost 56 per cent of planned expenditure this year will take place outside of the capital city."

Mr Fraser said funding allocations across government were:

Transport and Roads (including Airport Link) : $6.968 billion
Education and Training and Arts: $929.7 million
Health: $1.024 billion
Housing: $516.9 million
Water: $2.551 billion

Key initiatives

Water

. $795 million to comp lete the $2.5 billion Western Corridor Recycled Water Project by December 2008
. $448.1 million to complete the South East Queensland Desalination Plan by January
. $217 million to complete the $901 million Southern Regional Water Pipeline by November
. $220 million to complete stage 1 of the Northern Pipeline Interconnector by December
. A further $442.3 million to progress development of the Traveston Crossing dam
. $41.9 million for the land for Nathan and Connors River dams which are going through approvals processes

Transport

. $204.5 million for construction of the Northern Busway between the Royal Children's Hospital and Kedron
. $234.2 million for the Eastern Busway
. $537.6 million on Gateway Bridge Duplication and upgrade to increase capacity on the Gateway Motorway, between Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road and Nudgee Road
. $150 million towards construction of the new Houghton Highway Bridge between Brighton and Redcliff e
. $33.7 million towards the construction of cycle links to enhance the cycle network in South East Queensland
. $565.4 million to extend the Citytrain track network and track upgrades (including Springfield and Robina to Varsity Lakes rail line, Corinda to Darra third track, Caboolture to Beerburrum duplication)
. $132.2 million in 2008-09 for additional rollingstock for Citytrain service enhancements - 12 new 3 car sets to arrive this year, as we fund a forward order of 58 new 3 car sets.
. $200 million towards the federally-funded Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Wacol and Darra, $100 million to complete the upgrade of the Ipswich/Logan Motorway interchange and $20 million for planning and land acquisitions for the upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway to six lanes between Dinmore and Goodna
. $34.5 million towards the construction of the Bundaberg Ring Road
$42 million to complete the Townsville Ring Road
$32 million to complete the Pacific Paradis e interchange and David Low Way access on the Sunshine Coast

Export Infrastructure

. $576.4 million on additional track works on the coal rail network in Central Queensland
. $320 million to double the capacity of Abbot Point Coal Terminal
. Funding to start a $107 million upgrade on the Mt Isa rail line to speed up travel times on the key transport link servicing the North West Minerals Province.

Energy

$3.1 billion by Queensland Energy GOC's to build new capacity in our electricity grid, reinforce the network and support generation capacity, to cope with increasing load and ensure supply to power our growth.

Health
. $1.024 billion for Health capital works
. Funding to commence the redevelopment of Cairns Hospital, build a new Mackay Hospital and upgrade the Mt Isa Hospital at a total cost of $920 million.
. More than $200 million towards the new tertiary hospital building program: Gold Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast Hospital, and Queensland's Children's Hospital
. $55 million towards a significant expansion of Robina Hospital
$10 million toward the expansion of the Townsville General Hospital to increase bed capacity
. $400,000 for a new community based health service at Toowoomba Hospital.

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