Building Queensland - BQ

[#Metro]

Good to see a research-based article.

Cities have economies of scale. Want more services? Accept more migration to your area.

[techblitz]

Accept more migration to your area.

the irony.....lets say maryborough for example?? Its a bit hard to entice people from the city to regions when we have people calling for more manufacturing in Brisbane and less in Maryborough
The regions have been screaming for more migration but new arrivals into the cities are simply not interested..

[#Metro]

An entire ABC documentary on this: ( not sure if it will embed properly )
https://youtu.be/KE_6gpy3XEU

( use the form youtube.com/watch?v=KE_6gpy3XEU to embed need to have the https://www in front )

[timh]

Couriermail --> Opinion: The regions should stop moaning about unfair allocations

You hear it everywhere in regional Queensland ... when it comes to State Government infrastructure spending, they get ripped off. It's just not true. There are areas getting shortchanged, but they're not in the country, writes Steven Wardill.

IT'S an unqualified truism throughout regional Queensland that when it comes to State Government infrastructure spending they get ripped off.

...

Personally, I'm sick of this argument.

I'm tired of hearing it repeated because it's just not true.

Sure, more of the total infrastructure money is spent in Brisbane and its surrounds.

But that because there's more people. Many more..

GODDAMN. Glad someone finally said it. Sick of hearing NQ whinging. Actually surprised to see this in the Courier Mail of all places though

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Gazza]

The other thing is they always bring up mining royalties, but the mining regions got a big front end loaded boost when the Blackwater and Goonyella systems got built to allow the industry to develop.
And the mining towns do get nice facilities for their population.

[ozbob]

All Tabled Papers are available on the Parliament of Queensland website here.

BQ Annual Report > https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2019/5619T1677.pdf

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 3rd October 2019 page 4

Now is the time to push for infrastructure

[#Metro]

The RBA can lower interest rates, but I think it has another tool.

The RBA can credit its own bank account.

It can then go around buying up government debt.

It is already being discussed, and I think this is the next step.

The RBA has to maintain a basic inflation rate, this will assist with that goal.

RBA could start quantitative easing by mid-2020
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/rba-could-start-quantitative-easing-by-mid-2020-20191001-p52wi4

The Reserve Bank may be printing money and buying bonds within 12 months as the central bank doubles down on its easing bias, but "the jury is still out" when it comes to unconventional monetary policy measures, top economists warn.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad calls on Morrison Government to kick-start infrastructure spending

Under the Palaszczuk Government, Queensland's economy has grown for 14 consecutive quarters. But that prosperity won't last under a Morrison Government that needs to fast-track infrastructure spending, writes Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad.

WITH less than two months until Christmas, retail businesses across Queensland are looking forward hopefully to what should be one of their busiest times of the year.

We know how important confidence is to consumers' willingness to spend up, supporting tens of thousands of businesses and jobs as they do.

While Queensland's size and decentralised regions mean we can be subject to a far more varied set of economic conditions than other states, confidence here remains strong.

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the Queensland economy grew faster than the national average in the June quarter.

Under the Palaszczuk Government, Queensland's economy has grown for 14 consecutive quarters.

Our household consumption growth is the strongest in the nation, while growth in Queensland's retail trade is twice as fast as the national rate. The confidence shown by consumers is also seen in business investment decisions, with equipment investment up 4.6 per cent in 2018-19, well above the national average of 3.0 per cent.

It's against these current measures that one must consider the CommSec State of the State report.

CommSec uses an unusual set of measurements. Rather than simply comparing Queensland against other states now and into the future, CommSec uses a rolling 10-year average — it measures us against what was happening in Queensland a decade ago, when very different economic conditions existed toward the end of the LNG industry construction boom.

The LNG construction phase was Australia's largest-ever infrastructure project, bigger even than the original Snowy Hydro.

It was the initiative of a Queensland Labor Government, and it is why today the Palaszczuk Government is looking to leverage Queensland's strength in renewable energy to ensure we are part of a growing global hydrogen industry, and to open up the North West Minerals Province to provide the rare-earth minerals the world needs for a new generation of batteries and energy storage.

But tying Queensland's performance today to what happened here 10 years ago is like saying your child's Year 9 NAPLAN results will be handicapped against how they performed in Year 3.

Or making the result of this year's grand final hinge on how the competing teams performed against one another back in 2009.

By contrast, the Deloitte Business Outlook forecasts that Queensland will have the equal-second strongest national growth this year.

While the confidence of consumers and businesses is vital to our continued economic prosperity, government has a role to play as well.

General government investment in Queensland increased by more than 11 per cent over 2018-19, but over the same period, investment in Queensland by the federal Coalition went backwards.

Of the investment promised in the Federal Budget earlier this year, the vast majority promised to Queensland is outside the four-year budget period and after the next election.

What matters to Queensland businesses and consumers is today, tomorrow, and the next few years.

They understand, as the Reserve Bank does, that the time to be kick-starting infrastructure spending is right now.

The Morrison Government should bring forward its promised infrastructure investment right now.

Every day that passes without the Federal Government acting to boost our economy and help vulnerable Australians, hurts the prosperity of Queenslanders and all Australians.

Jackie Trad is Treasurer of Queensland

[Stillwater]

Is there a direct correlation between State Labor being in power and an improving economy?

Could not part of the state's success be due to federal economic decision-making, or is Ms Trad arguing that Labor claims all the good news while allocating the bad to the LNP?

This Minister sees everything in black and white, take no prisoners style.  It is just not how life is, or how the reality is, frankly.

[achiruel]

Could not part of the state's success be due to federal economic decision-making, or is Ms Trad arguing that Labor claims all the good news while allocating the bad to the LNP?

Unlikely, any state which is currently having economic success is off their own back not due to the Feds. They are strangling the economy by their unhealthy obsession with a surplus.

[verbatim9]

Could not part of the state's success be due to federal economic decision-making, or is Ms Trad arguing that Labor claims all the good news while allocating the bad to the LNP?

Unlikely, any state which is currently having economic success is off their own back not due to the Feds. They are strangling the economy by their unhealthy obsession with a surplus.

A surplus ensures a AAA credit rating. If  the credit rating is downgraded it's adds millions if not billions to borrowing costs for the Government. I happy for the Feds  to go on the straight and narrow until the next budget.

[verbatim9]

Could not part of the state's success be due to federal economic decision-making, or is Ms Trad arguing that Labor claims all the good news while allocating the bad to the LNP?

Unlikely, any state which is currently having economic success is off their own back not due to the Feds. They are strangling the economy by their unhealthy obsession with a surplus.

A surplus ensures a AAA credit rating. If  the credit rating is downgraded it's adds millions if not billions to borrowing costs for the Government. I happy for the Feds  to go on the straight and narrow until the next budget.

The state Labor Government can do alot more by deregulation, reducing red tape and the over blown public sector as well as competitive tendering in certain sectors. But it seems they won't and now wants hand outs from the Federal Government as earlier predicting a few years back.

[achiruel]

Could not part of the state's success be due to federal economic decision-making, or is Ms Trad arguing that Labor claims all the good news while allocating the bad to the LNP?

Unlikely, any state which is currently having economic success is off their own back not due to the Feds. They are strangling the economy by their unhealthy obsession with a surplus.

A surplus ensures a AAA credit rating. If  the credit rating is downgraded it's adds millions if not billions to borrowing costs for the Government. I happy for the Feds  to go on the straight and narrow until the next budget.

Australia is at next to no risk of having their credit rating downgraded. The Feds refusing to spend any money is strangling the economy. Every economist knows it, the LNP know it but refused to admit it for ideological reasons, even business groups like the ACCI and BCA know it and are calling for more spending. Essentially the only thing that is keeping the economy growing right now is immigration; per capita, we're going backwards, which won't result in a good future for anyone.

[Gazza]

Hey Verbatim9, what's the point of maintaining a AAA credit rating if you're not going to take advantage of it to do cheap borrowing for infrastructure?

or in other words why are you worried about an increased cost of borrowing when you don't even want to borrow?

[verbatim9]

Governments are borrowing all the time irrespective of surpluses or not. It's no secret that this current Government want to maintain a surplus. Its to create an economic buffer for the world slow down we are in. They took it to the last election. Just because Federal and Qld state Labor want more money spent in Qld doesn't mean it's justified.  Like I said in my previous post QLD Labor could of managed the State a lot better to avoid asking for extra money from the Federal Government. They have had years to do it, almost 2 terms of Governemt.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Federal MPs beg QLD Govt to spend their money

Thousands of jobs have been put on hold as Queensland MPs desperately attempt to get the Palaszczuk Government moving on $4 billion of stalled projects.

MORE than $4 billion in ­Queensland projects have been stalled and thousands of jobs put on hold as exasperated federal MPs claim they cannot give away money to the ­Palaszczuk Government.

Thirty projects across the state – from major road upgrades, to new dams to a brand-new swimming pool for a public school – are ready to go, with some winning Commonwealth funding more than two years ago.

A number of projects are fully funded, but the State Government has yet to move on tender and procurement processes. However, the ­majority of the investment is contingent on the Palaszczuk Government stumping up cash.

It is understood that in some cases, the state is waiting for projects to finish because it does not have the available workforce, despite the worst unemployment rate in the nation at 6.4 per cent, seasonally adjusted.

Bewilderment is growing among Queensland federal MPs, who are asking why the State Government is preventing the creation of thousands of new jobs, better roads and new facilities, including those that are shovel-ready.

Six months since the federal election – in a result where Annastacia Palaszczuk was banking on a Bill Shorten win – the State Government's position and funding on a number of projects ­remain uncertain.

It is understood a new deal between the Commonwealth and the state on stalled urban infrastructure projects could be done within a fortnight.

However, many regional projects will remain up in the air. Pointing to how ridiculous they believe the situation has become, Petrie MP Luke Howarth said that the State Government had even refused to take $2 million to build a swimming pool for a new public school at Mango Hill.

In correspondence to Mr Howarth in August, Education Minister Grace Grace said: "Queensland state schools are not designed with swimming pool infrastructure (and) the current master plan for the new secondary school in Mango Hill does not include provision for a swimming pool."

She also said $2 million was not enough money.

A Palaszczuk Government spokesman said the Premier had held positive discussions with Scott Morrison about jointly funded infrastructure projects in Queensland since the federal election.

"Senior members from both levels of government have had similarly positive meetings too. We're close to finalising terms of agreement on a number of projects that will create hundreds of jobs and pour substantial funding into Queensland,'' he said.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien said that the Beerburrum-to-Nambour rail upgrade, which is a State Government responsibility, had a commitment of $390 million from the Commonwealth, but Queensland was refusing to match the funding.

"The LNP's Team Queensland continues to carve out record funding for the state, but most of it goes via the state (Government) and that's where things come to a screeching halt,'' Mr O'Brien said. "It makes it harder for us to go for even more funding in Canberra when the money we've already allocated is just sitting there, waiting to be used.

"We are still waiting for the Palaszczuk Government to commit funding for a number of projects."

Fisher MP Andrew Wallace said: "There is absolutely no State Government funding committed during the next four years for the last phase of Bruce Highway upgrades between the southern Steve Irwin Way exit and Caloundra Rd, meaning the Federal Government's money cannot be spent until at least the mid-2020s.

"That's not good enough".

Dawson MP George Christensen said road and dam upgrades were desperately needed in his electorate.

"(Urannah Dam) ... is a huge project. I understand it could be couple of months before the State Government approves the project.

"The reality is we're funding the lot when it comes to this planning pre-construction work and we're happy for the funding agreement to be done right now," Mr Christensen said.

Maranoa MP David Littleproud said that the Queensland Government was asked to make a contribution towards Emu Swamp Dam that was even smaller than the farmers' share and it took months to get.

"Despite making a financial commitment, they now look to be going slow on approvals to avoid having to physically commit any money at all and effectively stopping the dam altogether,'' Mr Littleproud said.

Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien said that during the floods in 2013, the Bruce Highway was cut for almost 31 hours by flooding at Saltwater Creek.

"Our share of funding for projects like the Tiaro flood immunity works and upgrading the intersection of Bruce and Wide Bay highways has been committed for years," O'Brien said.

"But for whatever reason, we are still waiting to see ­construction on the ground."

THE MAJOR PROJECTS WE'RE STILL WAITING ON

Brisbane to Melbourne Inland Rail

$9.3 billion equity injection

Fully funded by the Commonwealth

The QLD Govt has yet to agree to it bilateral agreement (VIC and NSW have)

Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade

$780 million estimated total cost

$390 million committed by the Commonwealth

Waiting on $390 million from the QLD Government

The QLD Govt has committed just $160 million to the project.

Gold Coast Light Rail – Stage 3a

$709 million estimated total cost

$112 million committed by Commonwealth

No firm QLD Govt contribution to date

The QLD Govt has now announced a $351 million commitment to the project and sought an extra $157 million from the Commonwealth.

Bruce Highway - Mackay Ring Road Stage 2

$350 million estimated total cost

$280 million committed by Commonwealth

Waiting on $70 million from QLD Government

Cunningham Highway - Yamanto to Ebenezer (Amberley Interchange)

$340 million estimated total cost

$170 million committed by Commonwealth

QLD Government decided not to progress the project

Bruce Highway – Dohles Rocks Road

$150 million estimated total cost

$120 million committed by Commonwealth

Waiting on $30 million from QLD Govt

Bruce Highway - Linkfield Road Overpass

$125 million estimated total cost

$100 million committed by Commonwealth Government

Waiting on $25 million from QLD Govt

Urban Congestion Fund – M1 Pacific Motorway Intersection Upgrades (Exit 41 and Exit 49)

$100 million estimated total cost

$50 million committed by Commonwealth

QLD Govt has committed $96.3 million but have sought an extra $46.3 million from the Commonwealth

Urban Congestion Fund – Gympie Arterial Road

$100 million estimated total cost

$50 million committed by Commonwealth

Waiting on $50 million from QLD Government

Urban Congestion Fund – Ipswich Motorway Corridor

$100 million estimated total cost

$50 million committed by Commonwealth

Waiting on $50 million from QLD

But QLD Govt has decided not to progress project

Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade

$237.5 million estimated total cost

$190 million committed by Commonwealth

QLD Government decided not to progress the project

M1 - Pacific Motorway (Daisy Hill to Loganholme)

Queensland Government yet to match the Commonwealth's $500 million commitment.

Gladstone Port Access Road Extension

Commonwealth has pledged $100 million, requiring state to stump up $25 million. The state has not agreed to stump up the cash.

Beaudesert Road/Mt Lindesay Highway

Commonwealth to stump up $50 million, requiring $50 million from state, which has refused to commit.

Commuter car park upgrade Mango Hill

Commonwealth to pay $4 million. Money is not matched by the State Government.

Brisbane North-West Transport Corridor business case

The Commonwealth have pledged $10 million but it has not been matched by the State Government.

Centenary Motorway Upgrade

The Commonwealth has pledged $10 million, requiring the State Government to cough-up $10 million, which has not been forthcoming.

Congestion bottleneck in Kenmore

The Federal Government has committed $12.5 million. The State Government took months to announce they were matching the funding but despite having a fully-funded project have failed to respond to any Commonwealth letters or contact in the past few months to provide a design on the project or timeframe on when they will get on and build it.

Toowoomba to Ipswich corridor

The Federal Government has committed $60 million for the project, requiring $15 million from the State Government, which has not committed to the project.

Emu Swamp Dam

The Federal Government will stump up $47 million, farmers $24 million and while the State Government has said it will pay the least at $13 million, it is being accused of "going slow" on approvals, with fears the dam will not go ahead.

Big Rock's Weir

The Commonwealth has committed $30 million and while the State Government has signed a a bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth to progress further assessment in July, it still has not committed to help fund the project.

Hughenden Irrigation Scheme

The Commonwealth will stump up $180 million, and the State Government has funded an initial investigation into the project but the project remains in limbo.

Shute Harbour Road at Hamilton Plains

The Commonwealth has committed $29.6 million, requiring $7.4 million from the State Government

Goorganga Plains

The Commonwealth has agreed to pay $12 million for Goorganga Plains to protect and preserve the corridor, which is a major floodplain that closes the Bruce Highway regularly. The State Government needs to commit $3 million andt needs to submit a 'Project Proposal Report' to allow the release of the funding.

Urannah Dam

To receive $10 million in Federal Government funding for pre-construction work to get the project to shovel-ready stage. The State Government has not yet signed off on it.

Hinkler Regional Deal projects funded by the Coalition Government which need State funding:

· $32 million Quay Street bypass to remove heavy vehicles and commuter traffic from this area

· $10 million safety upgrade for the Buxton Road intersection on the Bruce Highway

· $7.7 million to extend Urraween Road through to Boundary Road in Hervey Bay

Mango Hill High School pool

The Commonwealth pledged to provide $2 million to the State Government to build a pool at the new high school. It was rejected.

Off-ramps Griffin and Murrumba Downs

The Federal Government has committed $120 million to upgrade the off-ramps at Griffin and Murrumba Downs, north of Brisbane, but the State Government, which is required to contribute

$30 million, has not committed to the project.

Clean drinking water for Palm Island

During May election then Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion offered $2 million to deliver clean water to Palm Island. It was initially rejected but last month the State Government accused the Commonwealth of not paying up.

Brisbane Metro

Brisbane City Council will stump up $1 billion, while $300 million will be paid by the Federal Government. The State Government does not have to give a cent but they have to give approvals.

Circus performing arts centre

$1 million has been provided for a new home for circus performing arts, but the State Government is yet to provide the land in Stafford, Brisbane

Ballymore

The State Government has yet to match the Federal Government's $15 million pledge to Rugby Queensland

[timh]

Wow,when you see it all on paper like that it doesn't look good. :/

Do you think it's just that the state government physically doesn't have the money to fund these projects? Or is there something else going on here?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

I think partly financial, partly political.

Ms Trad has brought the 2020-21 budget forward six weeks April 2020.

I think they will not do much until 2020, and then start announcing projects so that they look good going into #qldvotes2020 October 2020.

In the meantime they are looking a bit dead in the water and the masses are getting very cynical. 

A better opposition would be making mincemeat of them, but they seem to lack the killer political instinct ( their track record in Govt partly a problem too).

[SurfRail]

Of course a number of projects are just the Commonwealth showboating by promising things that don't actually align with the State's objectives or plans (like random peppering the suburbs with park n rides where there is no land for them to begin with).

There needs to be a proper funding formula worked out for everything under the City Deal to stop the argy bargy.

[Gazza]

Sorry, cant find the thread it was posted in, but I've definitely noted the number of times the Government have tried to either:

A } Delay a project under the guise of "we want to get it right", see, inland rail.

B } Done the trick of almost funding a project with the feds, but arguing about some minor amount that constitutes 10-20% thereby stalling the project, eg SC #2tracks, GCLRT3A

It gives the perception that they are argumentative/do nothing/time wasters.
A lot of people would rather see the government stop worrying about the "best deal" and just get going and finish it sooner.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> $2 billion state-federal deal to fast-track Queensland construction

Queensland's economy will receive a huge cash injection – with some of the money to be spent on the state's most congested roads – in a bid to drive job creation in a deal done between the Morrison and Palaszczuk governments.

QUEENSLAND'S anaemic economy — limp with the worst unemployment rate in the country – will receive a $2 billion injection to fast-track construction jobs in a deal done between the Morrison and Palaszczuk governments.

Scott Morrison will reveal the biggest share of infrastructure acceleration will be for Queensland, in a bid to get more shovels in the ground and more hard hats on workers.

Under the deal, which marks signs of better co-operation between the Commonwealth and the state, Mr Morrison will stump up $1.3 billion – $650 million in funding that is brought forward plus $680 million in new funding.

With the Prime Minister today, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will unleash several hundred million dollars so work can be brought forward this on a number of projects, including the Bruce Highway.

Initially funding from the Commonwealth was allocated beyond the four-year forward estimates.

There will also be almost $95 million for M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades to be brought forward next year.

In another milestone, it can be revealed the Federal and State governments will sign a bilateral agreement for the inland rail project, which has already been ticked off between the Commonwealth, NSW and Victoria.

It will spark 7200 construction jobs and boost the Queensland economy by $7 billion.

Mr Morrison, who will give a landmark speech on Wednesday night in Sydney to the Business Council of Australia, will rev-up the national economy will almost $4 billion in accelerated infrastructure projects to stimulate jobs and activate consumer confidence.

The new funding for Queensland projects are mostly focused on the southeast corner to help get motorists out of the pits and home quicker.

Mr Morrison told The Courier-Mail it would mean more jobs and better roads for Queenslanders.

"We want these road and rail projects delivered as quickly as possible so Queenslanders can benefit from better infrastructure, but importantly we want to boost the economy now by bringing forward more than $440 million in federal funding on top of the nearly $3.8 billion we will spend across the state over the next 18 months," Mr Morrison said.

"By bringing forward these important road projects we will drive jobs, boost the economy and make Queensland roads and highways safer, while reducing travel times so people can be with their families instead of being stuck in traffic."

Ms Palaszczuk said the agreement would create jobs.

"I have always said we work best when we work together," the Premier said.

"We're getting projects off drawing boards to create more jobs in more industries and deliver the things that make people's lives better."

The extra money does not fund a long list of projects that The Courier-Mail revealed were on the backburner or being delayed because the State Government had yet to stump up cash or start the procurement process.

Recent data shows Queensland's economy is lacklustre, with growth at just 1.4 per cent in 2018-19, less than the national growth rate of 1.9 per cent. Construction growth is down 8 per cent, contributing to an unemployment of 6.5 per cent over the past year.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1196809001507229696

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1196810951967698946

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1196931309668421633

[timh]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1196931309668421633

Bailey floated some more words around there about getting passenger rail out to Beaudesert. Seems more and more like that's being brought forward with Inland Rail. Nothing about SCL though :/

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[Gazza]

There will also be almost $95 million for M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades to be brought forward next year.

Which part? Hopefully the Springwood bit with the busway?

[timh]

There will also be almost $95 million for M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades to be brought forward next year.

Which part? Hopefully the Springwood bit with the busway?

Pimpama exit upgrades I think. The Springwood busway upgrade bit is already underway and has federal funding

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/11/20/federal-infrastructure-spend-a-huge-win-for-queensland

Media Statements
JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Federal Infrastructure Spend a Huge Win for Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has hailed a massive Federal Government infrastructure spend as a huge win for Queensland.

It means an extra $1.9 billion of safer roads and rail including funds for regional Queensland.

The historic deal, agreed with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, fast-tracks federal government spending on a host of road and rail projects all over the State.

Best of all, the Premier said, it means jobs.

"I have always said we work best when we work together and this proves it," the Premier said.

"We have called for a better deal for Queensland and the Prime Minister has listened."

Key projects include:

$400 million in new road funding
$648 million delivering already promised projects sooner
Construction of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3
$46.3 million for two M1 exit upgrades
Accelerated funding for Linkfield Road Overpass
Mt Crosby Road Interchange upgrade
$10 million brought forward for Rockhampton Ring Road
Agreement on Inland Rail linking freight from Melbourne to Brisbane, with $6 billion invested in Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it was good news for Queensland.

"This is a massive win for Queensland," Minister Bailey said.

"Inland Rail presents an opportunity to move more freight onto trains and take trucks off roads.

"That becomes more important as south east Queensland continues to grow.

"This deal also prioritises planning for the passenger rail services that will be needed to serve growing parts of south east Queensland, like the Salisbury to Beaudesert rail link. "It delivers funding for what's needed now, like the next stage of light rail on the Gold Coast, and what will be needed in the coming decade."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the bottom line is jobs.

"We are spending $49.5 billion building roads, schools and hospitals," the Premier said.

"We've delivered four record transport and roads budgets in Queensland in the past five years to keep our state moving.

"Queensland's economy is growing faster than the national average and we've created more than 223,000 jobs since 2015 because we've invested in major infrastructure.

"Thousands of people are at work on region shaping projects like the Mackay Ring Road, the Haughton River Bruce Highway upgrade south of Townsville, the Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade and Cross River Rail.

"The challenge for all governments is to plan for the next wave of projects that will continue to sustain jobs and underpin confidence in the economy.

"This deal will allow us to start work more quickly on the congestion busting road and rail projects our growing state needs."

ENDS

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Queensland bags Brisbane port link business case, light rail funding in Inland Rail deal

The Queensland government has secured more federal money for light rail on the Gold Coast, and $20 million to fund business cases for a Port of Brisbane Connection and the Salisbury to Beaudesert rail line, as part of an Inland Rail deal with the federal government.

Queensland on November 20 became the last of the three states involved to sign up to the federal government's Inland Rail project.

The state had been holding out, arguing it was not receiving its fair share of infrastructure funding, and would not sign up to Inland Rail until it was satisfied.

That all came to an end on Wednesday with a $1.9 billion road and rail agreement.

The deal includes $680 million in new funding and $650 million in accelerated funding from the federal government, along with $606 million from the state government.

It includes $157 in additional federal funding for Stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail project, which will extend the existing rail line from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads.

It also includes $20 million in business case funding – $10 million from the state, $10 million from the Commonwealth – for a dedicated freight rail connection to the Port of Brisbane for the Inland Rail line.

There's also $20 million for a business case for the Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail link, which shares an alignment with the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge section of Inland Rail.

Both business cases will have $10 million in funding from both the state and federal governments, with money to flow from 2020/21.

The federal government has also committed $50 million in new funding to relocate Logalea Station closer to Logan Hospital, a project identified in the Queensland Rail Station Accessibility Upgrade Program.

It has also accelerated $90 million in funding for the North Coast Rail Line Upgrade between Beerburrum and Nambour.

Queensland's transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey said the agreement for new and accelerated funding justified the state's holdout on signing up for Inland Rail.

"This is a massive win for Queensland," Bailey said. "Inland Rail presents an opportunity to move more freight onto trains and take trucks off roads. That becomes more important as south east Queensland continues to grow.

"This deal also prioritises planning for the passenger rail services that will be needed to serve growing parts of south east Queensland, like the Salisbury to Beaudesert rail link."

Federal infrastructure minister Michael McCormack and prime minister Scott Morrison said the agreement was a good result for all involved.

"The Inland Rail project is a critical investment for Queensland and is projected to create 7,200 construction jobs and a more than $7 billion boost to the state economy," McCormack said.

"We're also bringing forward funding and delivery for key projects to benefit not only road freight but improve safety for locals and tourists such as the Rockhampton and Mackay ring roads."

"By bringing forward these important road projects we will drive jobs, boost the economy and make Queensland roads and highways safer, while reducing travel times so people can be with their families instead of being stuck in traffic," Morrison added.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was "always best" when state and federal governments worked together.

"We have called for a better deal for Queensland and the Prime Minister has listened," the premier said. "We're getting projects off drawing boards to create more jobs in more industries and deliver the things that make people's lives better."

Pacific National CEO Dean Dalla Valle praised both state and federal representatives for finally coming to terms on an Inland Rail deal. "Intergovernmental agreements for major infrastructure projects don't happen overnight," he said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Call for 'special deals' to lure private transport infrastructure builders

BUSINESS, engineering and property bosses have warned southeast Queensland risks grinding to a halt unless rail lines and bus routes are built to serve more than just the Brisbane CBD, calling for special deals to lure private operators into building expensive but essential infrastructure.

A political deal is on track to supercharge public transport and help secure the 2032 Olympics for southeast Queensland in the shape of the City Deal but infrastructure insiders say, on the anniversary of a groundbreaking road map to end traffic gridlock, that more needs to be done.

The National Faster Rail Agency, a funding commitment to explore Brisbane to Gold Coast fast rail, and agreement to deliver an SEQ City Deal represent some of the big wins since the release of the SEQ People Mass Movement Study just one year ago, the study's backers the SEQ Council of Mayors says.

It included calls for 47 prioritised projects, with a SEQ fast rail network as the lever to get commuters out of their cars before the southeast corner ground to a halt.

Council of Mayors chairman Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the biggest step forward was the commitment to a City Deal, which is being thrashed out by local councils, industry, State Treasurer Jackie Trad, Federal Cities Minister Alan Tudge and Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien.

The City Deal would agree a timeline of essential roads, rail and digital infrastructure that would be removed from political self-interest.

"The biggest step forward is the commitment from all levels of government to work together, through an SEQ City Deal, to identify and deliver our long-term infrastructure priorities; without the politics," Cr Schrinner said.

"We would like to see this bipartisan approach finally eliminate the unnecessary back-and-forth about funding splits and responsibilities and bring the focus back on getting projects underway.

"Seeing the national conversation around fast rail move forward was a huge win for South East Queensland.

"This was backed by Commonwealth funding to explore fast rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, building on the work already underway on the North Coast Connect business case.

"This is in addition to the $15 million already committed by the Commonwealth to investigate rail from Brisbane to Toowoomba.

"We also saw commitments to progress light rail on both the Sunshine and Gold coasts, and significant investments in improving the safety and efficiency of some of our major road corridors including the M1, Bruce and Mount Lindesay highways.

"We anticipate an SEQ City Deal with a strong focus on public transport which can pave the way for a successful SEQ 2032 Games proposal," said Cr Schrinner.

Achievements in the past year include:

- Establishment of the National Faster Rail Agency

- $8 million commitment for a fast rail business case between Brisbane and the Gold Coast

- Announcement of five Green Bridges across Brisbane, commencing with the Kangaroo Point to CBD bridge

- Progression of both the council's Brisbane Metro and the State Government's Cross River Rail projects

- Start of a detailed business case for Sunshine Coast Light Rail

- Start of a business case for the North West Transport Corridor

- Start on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A

- Start on the Inter-Regional Transport Corridor (Coomera Connector)

- Funding commitments for removal of open level crossings at Coopers Plains, Lindum and Beams Road, Carseldine

- Funding commitments to improve the M1, Bruce and Mount Lindesay highways.

Industry representatives welcomed the moves but warned more must be done to get Queensland moving.

"It is excellent that this year we will see critical transport projects including Cross River Rail and Metro move into their major construction phase, Chris Mountford, Property Council Queensland executive said.

"However we know that the region's population will continue to grow, and major transport projects typically take a long time to come to fruition.

"That is why it is so important that there is a long-term transport strategy that outlines the next wave of projects that will ensure our lifestyle and connectivity is not only maintained, but enhanced as the region continues to grow.

"With an Olympic Bid and SEQ City Deal on the agenda for this year, now is the time for all levels of government to commit to taking the necessary next steps to keep moving these projects forward."

Infrastructure Association of Queensland chief executive officer Priscilla Radice said southeast Queensland needed more rail.

"In the 12 months since the last study, governments have made progress on Brisbane Metro, Cross River Rail, Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 and various Green Bridge links. Along with the SEQ City Deal, there has been good traction in getting projects underway, but more needs to be done," Ms Radice said.

"Brisbane is a capital city with low levels of rail infrastructure. Without more investment we will struggle to handle our predicted growth and maintain liveability and competitiveness. Rail is the proven mass transit game changer - people get out of their cars for rail but it is expensive to deliver.

"If we want to have a first-class public transport system, we need to rethink how it is funded. "Opening opportunities for private sector investment where we combine corridor or precinct development rights with transport operating rights would be transformational for Queensland."

Springfield City Group managing director Raynuha Sinnathamby said the southeast needed to move past the current 'all roads lead to Brisbane' approach.

"Urban hubs are now becoming cities in their own right, bringing employment opportunities and attracting industries well beyond the Brisbane CBD. This decentralisation is vital to growing SEQ's economy, and also reducing congestion on the key routes into the capital.

"In order to better distribute economic growth for everyone in SEQ, and at the same time minimise traffic issues, there needs to be long term planning for transport connectivity within broader SEQ, so economic value from residents, students, tourists and workers can flow throughout the Southern corner of the state with ease.

"Put simply, we need to make it easy for people to choose to live in the Redlands Coast and work in Springfield, or stay on the Gold Coast for their holiday and visit Brisbane. If we don't do that, we'll end up with a badly congested central CBD that few can afford to live near, and long queues of commuters driving in each day from the outer suburbs."

The SEQ Council of Mayors proposed a Games bid to fast-track new roads and rail with a feasibility study which gathered momentum on the back of The Courier-Mail's Future SEQ campaign.

In June, The Courier-Mail and sister SEQ mastheads officially backed the bid with front page editorials.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in December announced Queensland was going for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, won over by projections showing billions of dollars extra would pour into the state economy and create another 129,000 jobs on the back of the Games.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> $50b mega projects offer 6.6k jobs but need private investment

QUEENSLAND has $50 billion in new roads, rail, mines and other infrastructure in the pipeline for the next five years with major public sector works greenlit but private investment well and truly in the "maybe" basket, a major report card released exclusively to The Courier-Mail shows.

Significant projects such as inland rail, Gold Coast light rail stage 3, Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro and upgrades to the Pacific Motorway and Bruce Highway, and essential water infrastructure developments are all under way or close to starting, the Queensland Major Projects Pipeline 2020 report shows.

But private investment is badly lagging, and with it the 6600 extra construction jobs riding on the megaprojects getting off the drawing board.

The report says there are 222 projects worth at least $50 million each across the state, totalling $50.6 billion, in the pipeline from 2019-20 to 2023-24.

Of that, $27.4 billion is funded and ready to go but another $23.2 billion is still awaited.

While the report says Queensland has plenty of opportunities and reasons to be optimistic – including being well placed to supply the world with green exports and renewable power – it also warns without government making it more attractive for the private sector to sign up to big projects, jobs are at risk.

"The high proportion of unfunded major project work is reflected in the labour force outlook, should a 'worst case scenario' occur with respect to all unfunded projects, then the workforce outlook becomes negative with an expected drop in employment in the later years of the pipeline," it says.

"In this scenario, workforce demand would not surpass the peak of 15,800 fulltime-equivalent roles in 2019-20 and would drop to 8506 fulltime-equivalent roles by 2023-24."

On the "optimistic" flipside, if all the projects were funded, demand for workers would increase 40 per cent, even though that would create a supply problem as Queensland competes with the massive amount of infrastructure being built in New South Wales and Victoria.

"We are delighted to see significant growth in the pipeline, with works totalling $50.6bn scheduled between 2019-20 and 2023-24," QMCA chief executive Jon Davies said.

"However, there is still an element of risk around the total figure as $23.2bn of work is not funded at this stage. This is mostly down to planned resources and energy projects which take considerable time to plan, fund and gain approval.

"Overall there are reasons to be optimistic, with many major projects such as Inland Rail, Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro and upgrades to the M1, Bruce Highway and essential water infrastructure developments beginning in earnest.

"There is also good news for regional Queensland with significant increases in funded work in the pipeline for the Darling Downs-Maranoa, Townsville and Fitzroy regions, with smaller increases for the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Cairns regions."

Co-authors the Infrastructure Association of Queensland said there are "reasons to be optimistic" and the current coronavirus uncertainty shows why we need a plan for the future.

The report says coming to terms with climate change offers Queensland the chance to protect its tourism and farming economy as well as making money from green energy and mining the state's deposits of minerals needed for the renewables industry.

It also points to the 2032 Olympics bid as a great catalyst to lift business confidence.

"The 2032 Olympics bid is still strongly supported by IAQ as a platform for step changing Queensland' global reputation and injecting dollars to uplift much needed infrastructure to support our population growth," IAQ chief executive Priscilla Radice said.

"Pandemics are a shocking global reality, but we need to keep an eye on the horizon as we navigate the current storm."

WHERE THE MONEY IS

222 project worth at least $50m each

$50.6B in the pipeline from 2019-20 to 2023-24

$27.4B funded and ready to go

$23.2B on the drawing board waiting for cash

MEGAPROJECT JOBS

15,700 direct jobs in 2017-18

16,300 direct jobs in 2019-20

22,900 projected in 2021-22

WHERE THE JOBS ARE

Extra workers needed between 2019-20 and 2012-22:

4800 rail

2000 coal

1900 water

1200 roads and bridges

Jos losses:

2100 telecoms

900 electricity

WINNERS AND LOSERS

GREATER BRISBANE

Investment: $7.3b

Sectors driving growth: Roads and rail

IPSWICH, TOOWOOMBA, LOGAN AND BEAUDESERT

Investment: $5.3b

Per cent unfunded: 34

Sectors driving growth: Roads, rail and water

GOLD COAST

Investment: $1.8b

Per cent unfunded: 42

Sectors driving growth: Roads and rail

DARLING DOWNS & MARANOA

Investment: $6.2b

Per cent unfunded: 44

Sectors driving growth: Resources, rail and renewables

SUNSHINE COAST

Investment: $1.6b

Per cent unfunded: 0

Sectors driving growth: Roads, rail and airport

FITZROY

Investment: $4.5b

Per cent unfunded: 32

Sectors driving growth: Defence, roads, coal and renewables

OUTBACK

Investment: $5.2b

Per cent unfunded: 94

Sectors driving growth: Roads and renewables

CAIRNS

Investment: $1.1b

Per cent unfunded: 30

Sectors driving growth: Roads, rail and harbours

TOWNSVILLE

Investment: $3.6b

Per cent unfunded: 53

Sectors driving growth: Water, roads, minerals, defence and harbours

MACKAY/ISAAC

Investment: $10.2b

Per cent unfunded: 71

Sectors driving growth: Coal and rail

WIDE BAY

Investment: $2.6b

Per cent unfunded: 63

Sectors driving growth: Water and roads

THE MEGA PROJECTS
BRISBANE & MORETON BAY

Population: 1,808,3663

Where the jobs are: Transport infrastructure – road and rail

Funded projects:

Cross River Rail ($5bn)

Pacific Motorway North Segments ($360m)

Brisbane New Parallel Runway Phase 2 ($380m)

Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade ($440m)

Brisbane Metro ($650m)

Gateway Motorway Stage 3: Bracken Ridge to Pine River ($781m)

Unfunded projects:

Lindum, Beams Rd, Coopers Plain Level Crossing Removals ($150m)

GOLD COAST

Population: 639,418

Where the jobs are: Transport infrastructure – road and rail

Funded projects:

Pacific Motorway South Segments ($629m)

Gold Coast Runway Upgrades ($100m)

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A – Broadbeach to Burleigh ($500m)

On the drawing board:

Gold Coast Desalination Plant Expansion ($300m)

Varsity Lakes to Elanora Rail Extension ($470m)

Jabiru Island Bridges (Hope Island Road Oxley Drive) Road Duplication - Stage 4 ($102m)

SUNSHINE COAST

Population: 385,011

Where the jobs are: Transport Infrastructure – Road and Rail

Funded projects:

Bruce Highway; Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway ($442m)

Bruce Highway; Caboolture to Steve Irwin Way Package 1&2 ($500m)

Bruce Highway - Maroochydore Road Interchange Upgrade ($180m)

Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade ($440m)

Sunshine Coast Airport - New East-West Runway ($240m)

IPSWICH, TOOWOOMBA, LOGAN AND BEAUDESERT

Population: 866,444

Where the jobs are: Transport infrastructure – road and rail, water

Funded projects:

Inland Mainline Freight Upgrade - Gowrie to Kagaru ($3bn)

Inland Mainline Freight Upgrade; Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton ($107m)

Ipswich to Springfield Rail ($1.1bn)

Warrego Highway upgrades between Ipswich and Toowoomba ($272m)

Pacific Motorway Segments ($460m)

Ipswich Motorway: Rocklea to Darra Stage 1 ($240m)

Beaudesert Water Supply Zone Projects Stage 1 and 2 ($120m)

Southern Sewage Treatment Ipswich ($136m)

On the drawing board:

Wyaralong Dam WTP Stage 1 ($150m)

Somerset Dam Upgrade ($450m)

Cunningham Highway - Yamanto Interchange to Ebenezer Creek ($241m)

Centenary Hwy Bus and Bridge Projects ($340m)

DARLING DOWNS/MARANOA

Population: 128,969

Where the jobs are: Gas development within resources, rail and renewables

Funded projects:

Inland Mainline Freight Upgrade - NSW/QLD Border to Gowrie ($1.4bn)

Bulli Creek Solar Farm ($525m)

Roma East Gas Project (pipeline component, $113m)

Arcadia Gas Project ($200m)

GLNG Roma East project ($375m)

Australia Pacific LNG Upstream Field Development (Sustaining), Arrow - Upstream Field Development (Sustaining), Gas Project Goog-a-binge ($400m)

Surat Gas Expansion Projects ($1.5bn)

On the drawing board:

Western Surat Gas Project ($1.2bn)

New Acland Stage 3 Expansion ($210m)

Wilkie Creek ($200m)

FITZROY

Population: 225,890

Where the jobs are: Defence, roads, coal, renewables and water

Funded projects:

Rockhampton Ring Road ($750m)

Singapore Force Posture Initiatives - Shoalwater Bay ($400m)

Shoalwater Bay – Remediation ($120m)

Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure Project - New Weir at Rookwood ($195m)

Rodds Bay Solar Farm ($123m)

Port of Gladstone - RG Tanner Coal Terminal ($200m)

Queensland Curtis LNG Upstream Field Development (Sustaining), Gladstone LNG Upstream Field Development (Sustaining)

On the drawing board:

Comet Solar Farm ($172m)

Styx's Coal project ($270m)

Gladstone Energy and Ammonia Project ($600m)

Rolleston Expansion ($280m)

Port of Gladstone - Second Shipping Lane ($196m)

OUTBACK

Population: 82,513

Where the jobs are: Roads and renewables

Funded projects:

Mt Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade ($238m)

Aldoga Solar Farm ($120m)

On the drawing board:

Aldoga Rail Yard ($280m)

Wiggin's Island Coal Rail Stages 2 and 3 ($815m)

Mt Isa to Townsville Rail ($320m)

Minyango Coal Project Stage 1 ($600m)

Belvedere Coal Project ($500m)

Cannington Expansion ($120m)

Kidston Solar Project – Stage 2 ($140m)

Kidston Transmission Project ($100m)

Kidston Pumped Hydro Storage Project ($200m)

Oaky Creek Longwall Stage 2 ($455m)

Merlin Molybdenum-Rhenium Phase 2 ($250m)

Baralaba South Open Cut ($160m)

Curtis LNG Project (Salt Concentrator) ($150m)

Australia Pacific LNG Salt Handling Facility ($160m)

Copperstring Transmission Line ($1.5bn)

TOWNSVILLE

Population: 237,258

Where the jobs are: Water, roads, minerals, defence and harbours

Funded projects:

Burdekin Falls Dam - Saddle Dam and Monolith Improvement ($210m)

Gorge Weir to Byerwen ($180m)

Bruce Highway - Haughton River & Pink Lily Lagoon Upgrade ($298m)

Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade ($180m)

North Queensland Bio Energy - Ethanol Plant ($200m)

On the drawing board:

SCONI Scandium Project ($304m)

Burdekin Falls – Hydro Electric Power Station ($120m)

Majors Creek Solar Project ($224m)

North Queensland Power Station ($600m)

Hells Gate Dam - Upper Burdekin ($250m)

Townsville Port Expansion Project - Outer Harbour Expansion ($150m)

Bruce Highway - Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation ($345m)

WIDE BAY

Population: 299,655

Where the jobs are: Roads and water

Funded projects:

Cooroy to Curra: (Section D) – Southern D1 ($422mn)

Cooroy to Curra: (Section D) – Northern D2 ($326m)

On the drawing board:

Urangan Boat Harbour ($200m)

Paradise Dam Primary Spillway Improvement Project ($658m)

Maryborough Coal ($180m)

South Burnett Coal Project incl. Transport Corridor ($500m)

CAIRNS

Population: 254,420

Where the jobs are: Roads, Rail and Harbours

Funded projects:

Cairns Southern Access Corridor Stage 3 - Edmonton to Gordonvale ($300m)

Cairns Southern Access Corridor Stage 5 - Foster Road intersection ($162m)

Smithfield Bypass ($106m)

Cairns Ring Road ($251m)

Mt Emerald Wind Farm ($133m)

Port of Cairns - Cruise Terminal Expansion - Trinity Inlet Dredging ($86m)

On the drawing board:

Red Dome Mungana ($215m)

Powering North Queensland Transmission Line ($128m)

MACKAY/ISAAC

Population: 173,119

Where the jobs are: Coal, rail and renewables

Funded projects:

Clarke Creek Wind ($525m)

Bruce Highway - Sarina to Cairns - Mackay Ring Road / Bypass - Stage 1 ($215m)

Bruce Highway - Mackay Ring Road Stage 2 - Mackay Port Access Road ($228m)

North Galilee Basin Rail ($900m)

Peak Downs Hwy Improvements - Eton Range ($120m)

Carmichael Coal Mine Project ($978m)

On the drawing board:

Bruce Highway - Goorganga Plains Upgrade ($248m)

Arrow Bowen Pipeline ($360m)

Eagle Downs Coking Coal ($600m)

Grosvenor Underground Stage 2 ($350m)

Peak Downs Expansion ($345m)

Hail Creek Extension – Underground ($660m)

Olive Downs ($600m)

Middlemount Coking Coal Mine Stage 2 ($284m)

Eaglefield Coal Mine Expansion ($1.2bn)

Ironbark No. 1 Coal Project ($280m)

Drake Coal ($280m)

Millennium Expansion ($320m)

Winchester South ($900m)

Moranbah North ($400m)

Source: Queensland Major Projects Pipeline 2020 produced by the Queensland Major Contractors Association and the Infrastructure Association of Queensland

[ozbob]

25 March 20201

====

Building Queensland to integrate with government

The Queensland Government has announced it is integrating Building Queensland with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. This reform will mean a change in functional focus from leading the preparation of business cases on behalf of government agencies and identifying infrastructure priorities, to assisting agencies to progress infrastructure proposals including providing an assurance role for government.

The government's announcement recognises the positive impact of Building Queensland's stewardship of infrastructure proposal development. Over the past five years Building Queensland has successfully embedded best practice approaches into business case development and equipped agencies to develop robust and consistent proposals to inform government infrastructure investment decisions.  The integration of Building Queensland staff will ensure that the expertise and capability demonstrated by the Building Queensland team since establishment will remain in the department, continuing the strong contribution to the State's infrastructure strategy.

Having led over 30 detailed business cases for major infrastructure projects, the robustness of investment proposals presented to government for consideration has been evidenced by government funding commitments and confirmation of national priority project status for numerous detailed business cases positively assessed by Infrastructure Australia.  Many of these projects are now either under construction or in the procurement process, contributing to a sustainable pipeline of infrastructure projects for industry and enhancing economic, social and environmental outcomes.

Consistent with our Strategic Plan, Building Queensland's involvement in the earlier stages of proposal development has also been a key part of our engagement with Queensland government agencies. Increasingly, agencies have sought out Building Queensland's advice recognising the value of good early stage planning. Working in partnership with agencies, Building Queensland has helped improve infrastructure outcomes by providing a better understanding of the problem or opportunity proposals have sought to address. Building Queensland has also helped ensure all possible options to address service needs were explored, including non-infrastructure solutions.

With an emphasis on robust business case analysis, an important activity has been the development and update of our Business Case Development Framework. In April 2020, the third update to the Business Case Development Framework was released with the support of government and industry. The Business Case Development Framework has helped bring about a consistent and rigorous approach to proposal development—enabling decision-makers to compare investment opportunities.  Engagement across government at all levels and industry has ensured that the Business Case Development Framework reflects best industry practice and innovation and leadership in addressing economic, social, environmental and sustainability considerations in infrastructure proposal development.

Another important resource has been the Infrastructure Pipeline Report. Publishing seven editions of the report, 27 priority projects were identified and funded through the pipeline process with numerous other proposals progressing to further stages of development.

Building Queensland's success has been underpinned by open collaboration with stakeholders which has cultivated trusting partnerships across government and industry. With a strong focus on continuous development of capability, Building Queensland has utilised the significant expertise of the broader infrastructure sector to further develop and share knowledge.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of the Building Queensland team, past and present.  Your hard work and expertise have been the foundation of our success.  To all our stakeholders and industry partners, thank you for your support and commitment to this critical industry and working with us in the successful delivery of our functions and strategic priorities.  The Building Queensland team look forward to continuing to engage with industry partners working within the department to building on our success and achievements and contribute to enhanced outcomes in the infrastructure sector.

Regards,

Damian Gould
Chief Executive Officer

[ozbob]

^ good riddance.  BQ had a lot to do with the northern end of CRR being the mess it is today.