2018-19 Qld State Budget

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> RACQ releases list of pre-Budget transport and infrastructure priorities for Queensland

QUEENSLAND'S peak motoring lobby group has urged the Government to prioritise funding to expand the traffic-choked M1 ahead of other projects in this year's Budget.

The RACQ also backed funding for the Cross River Rail project that will provide better public transport options to more commuters, calling for the plan to be fast-tracked.

Both federal Labor and the Coalition have offered $1 billion to fund upgrades to the M1 if the state matches this funding.

But Queensland Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has called for the Federal Government to cover 80 per cent of the cost, in line with Pacific Highway upgrades in NSW.

In a submission to the state Budget, the RACQ urged the State Government to settle the dispute and agree on a plan to fund the upgrades.

"On the other hand, the Federal Government has recently committed to widening two regularly gridlocked sections of the M1 – but the state's staying quiet on its funding share," RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said.

"We need the State and Federal governments to stop playing politics."

Mr Turner said Queenslanders were paying the highest transport costs in a decade, with motorists "fed up" at the price of petrol, vehicle registration and stamp duty.

"Drivers here are paying more than in most other States. We need to eliminate stamp duty on new cars and freeze vehicle registration for three years, saving motorists $230 million," he said.

ACQ'S QUEENSLAND BUDGET PRIORITIES

● Increased on-road police presence for greater enforcement of unsafe driving

● By 2022, 90 percent of State Government infrastructure should achieve an AusRAP rating of three stars or better

● Government to fund and provide crash data and support both ANCAP and Used Car Safety Rating programs

● Address vehicle theft by restoring Queensland funding for the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council

● Implement transparent real-time fuel price reporting system

● Freeze vehicle registration for three years

● Eliminate stamp duty on new cars

● Queensland's annual roads and transport capital expenditure to be a minimum of two percent of Gross State Product

● Implement an integrated public transport authority that administers the delivery of all public transport services in Queensland

● Upgrades to urban State-controlled roads to include segregated cycle infrastructure.

View the RACQ's full pre-Budget submission here

Even the RACQ gets it!

" ... ● Implement an integrated public transport authority that administers the delivery of all public transport services in Queensland ... "

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Budget: Infrastructure spending to keep pace with population growth

A $45 billion infrastructure spending spree will be unveiled next month in Treasurer Jackie Trad's first Budget, as the State Labor Government moves to keep up with population growth.

The Sunday Mail can reveal $11.5 billion will be spent on roads, rail, hospitals, schools and general capital expenditure next financial year alone — up $1.4 billion on the amount allocated in 2017-18.

That figure will increase to $11.6 billion in 2019-20, before easing to $11.3 billion in 2020-21 and $10.6 billion in 2021-22.

More than $700 million is expected to be pumped into Cross River Rail in 2018-19 as the Government ramps up its spending on the $5.4 billion project it has pledged to fully fund after it was snubbed by the Commonwealth.

The long-awaited Sunshine Coast rail duplication is expected to be among other vital projects to be included in the infrastructure spend after the Commonwealth pledged funding in its Budget earlier this month.

The Government has also announced $487.5 million will be spent on the M1 for upgrades between Varsity Lakes and Tugun and between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill, between 2018 and 2022.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said about 38,000 jobs a year would be supported through the $45 billion capital works spend in the Budget, to be handed down on June 12.

"That's a big number, with investment up $2 billion on last year's Budget and almost five times what the Federal Government is investing in our state's infrastructure," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"From the Cairns Convention Centre to Cross River Rail, the M1 to the Townsville Stadium, my government is about delivering the important projects that our communities need as they grow".

Ms Trad said it would be the state's biggest infrastructure expenditure since after the flood recovery following 2011.

"Across the state, public infrastructure is a driver for transformative change, encouraging private investment and making our communities better places to live," she said.

"This Budget recognises that and includes the biggest infrastructure spend since 2011, after the flood recovery.

"Meeting the infrastructure challenge now will ensure our economy is sustainable for the future".

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the $45 billion expenditure was necessary to meet demand, with Queensland's population ticking over to five million last week.

"It will continue to grow by around 100,000 a year over the next 20 years," he said.

"Queensland is the country's top destination for interstate migration.

"It is essential that a growing state plans for the future and provides the infrastructure needed to accommodate population growth."

LNP will splash cash

THE LNP is sticking to its plan to build a second Gold Coast section of the M1 should it win ­office at the next state election in 2020, pledging to allocate funds in its first term to the project.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has also promised to upgrade a trouble-prone section of the M1 north of Brisbane to six lanes, under a $1.4 billion commitment to congestion-busting projects.

She will also match the $1 billion pledged by the Commonwealth for upgrades to the ­existing Gold Coast M1.

"This $1.4 billion commitment is just part of my plan to get Queensland's motorists moving again," Ms Frecklington said.

"The LNP's plan for road infrastructure includes a $1 billion contribution to upgrade the (Gold Coast) M1, $250 million for a second (Gold Coast) M1 and $132.5 million for the Bruce Highway to the Sunshine Coast.

"A second (Gold Coast) M1 is part of the LNP's plan for the future. A four-lane arterial road would function as an important ­alternative to the existing ­Pacific Motorway."

The LNP promised to build a second Gold Coast M1 during last year's election campaign, pledging a four-lane highway between Stapylton and Nerang through a 36.5km corridor that has already been ­preserved.

The cost would potentially be split with the Federal Government with each party allocating $500 million.

Labor, however, claimed the project's cost was greater than $2 billion.

Ms Frecklington said the $132.5 million contribution to upgrade the Bruce Highway section of the M1 would involve the section between Pine Rivers and Caloundra, and would "reinforce $530 million already committed by the Federal Government".

"The LNP would build a six-lane corridor from Caboolture to Caloundra and fix this road," she said.

"Congestion not only costs businesses billions of dollars a year, but denies Queenslanders time at home with their family and strangles our lifestyles."

" The long-awaited Sunshine Coast rail duplication
is expected to be among other vital projects to be included in the
infrastructure spend after the Commonwealth pledged funding
in its Budget earlier this month. "  < key will be the quantum ..

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/997880917682044931

[Stillwater]

The Queensland offer is likely to be $144.5m only, not a 50/50 split.  We will know in less than a month.  The thing is whether there is sufficient money on the table to duplicate as far as Landsborough North as the first stage.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/997995391877500929

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bruce, M1 upgrades with Cross River Rail part of $45 billion infrastructure budget

Reducing south-east congestion, upgrading hospitals and expanding north Queensland infrastructure are the top priorities of the state budget due to be officially unveiled next month.

Notable inclusions were funding for Bruce Highway and M1 upgrades, Cross River Rail, Cairns Convention Centre and Townsville Port expansions and construction of Townsville Stadium.

However, the duplication of the Sunshine Coast rail line and construction of a second M1, which the LNP opposition has prioritised, have missed out in the Labor budget.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer Jackie Trad announced on Sunday $45 billion over four years would be put towards the state's infrastructure and support 38,000 jobs annually.

"This is nine times more than Malcolm Turnbull is giving Queensland from Canberra," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"We have an infrastructure project that is for all of Queensland, building on the infrastructure projects needed for our growing state.

"As the Deputy Premier said yesterday, we've reached 5 million [population], we need to make sure we have the infrastructure that is needed for Queensland's growing future."

Other projects factored into this year's budget include the expansion of Ipswich, Caboolture and Logan hospitals, the troublesome New Generation Rollingstock trains which were still being paid off, as well as stage three of the Gold Coast Light Rail project.

"As Queensland transitions to a more innovative, diverse and production economy, it is vital that our infrastructure maximises our opportunities and provides long-term sustainable benefits," Ms Trad said.

"We are spending dollars in communities that need it, whether for economic development or to cater for population growth and deliver front-line services that Queenslanders need.

"We are very excited about this announcement here today because we know for too long Queenslanders have been calling on governments to make the infrastructure investment ahead of when congestion and crisis looms and with today's announcement we are doing just that."

However, LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander said Labor was playing catch-up with infrastructure funding and M1 upgrades alone would not fix congestion between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

"The current government is playing catch-up with regards to its infrastructure funding, they have underspent infrastructure by around $3 billion per year over last three or four years and that's why we have crowded schools, not enough hospital beds and our roads are congested," he said.

Mr Mander said the LNP had a $3.1 billion plan to reduce south-east congestion.

It included $1 billion for an M1 upgrade to match the federal government pledge and $130 million for six lanes to be constructed on the Bruce Highway between Caboolture and Caloundra.

The opposition also vowed to use $250 million to build an extra M1 between Stapylton and Nerang, which was described as a 36-kilometre bottleneck, alongside the current motorway.

"These projects will not only create thousands of jobs, they will help reduce the congestion south-east Queensland motorists are currently suffering and bring some relief to drivers," Mr Mander said.

Labor will officially deliver the full Queensland budget on June 12.

" However, the duplication of the Sunshine Coast rail line and construction of a second M1, which the LNP opposition has prioritised, have missed out in the Labor budget. "

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/998067338401361921

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes article updated https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/bruce-m1-upgrades-with-cross-river-rail-part-of-45-billion-infrastructure-budget-20180520-p4zge4.html

"  ... When asked whether the Sunshine Coast rail duplication had been included in the infrastructure budget, Ms Trad said because the pledged 50 per cent federal contribution would not be available for four to five years, "it makes it a bit of a gag".

She called upon the Coalition to release the money sooner and said the Palaszczuk government was aware of the project's importance having advanced the business case while in power. .. "

Looks like the Sunny Coast is going to be shafted yet again. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/998070323600801792

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/998079475744100353

[Stillwater]

Possible payback for feds not funding Cross River Rail? 

Question: Can Qld spend $700m on CRR in one year, or will there be money unspent at the end of 2018-19?

[ozbob]

Personally I have a gut-full of the duplicitous politics both state and federal. 

I will hold fire until the budget then it will be a ' fire at will '  situation. 

[techblitz]

Possible payback for feds not funding Cross River Rail?

Possibly true mr Stillwater.
The infrastructure spat between blue/red is akin to a kindergarten lunch fight over who gets the chocolate snack pak. 

[#Metro]

Sunshine Coast should simply threaten secession. Don't want to fund rail and other services? That's fine, we'll stop paying taxes then...

Could call it "Northeast Queensland" or NEQ.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> State Budget 2018: Purse strings open as road race begins

THE Budget battle has begun, with Labor and the LNP sparring over who will do more to bust congestion and take the state forward.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer Jackie Trad on Sunday defended their plan to spend $45 billion on infrastructure over four years, insisting it was the right amount for the state to keep up with population growth.

Labor has trumpeted the spend – to be detailed in its June 12 Budget – as a record, the largest since the 2011 flood recovery, with 38,000 jobs a year to be supported through the capital works program.

It will include more than $700 million for Cross River Rail as well as millions for upgrades to the M1.

Ms Palaszczuk said the capital works budget would cater for infrastructure, "from western roads, up to the Bruce Highway, up to our Cape communities, the M1, Cross River Rail, all of that needed for our growing state".

The Sunshine Coast rail duplication is also expected be given some cash, although Ms Trad yesterday said the Federal Government needed to bring forward its commitment before the state would decide how much to commit.

"The Federal Government has made a small allocation of 50 per cent," she said. "The money for that is not available for another four to five years which makes it a bit of a gag, really."

LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander said more needed to be done to fix roads in the southeast. The LNP plans to commit $250 million for a parallel M1.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the cost was closer to $2.4 billion but he wasn't ruling out a commitment to build a parallel M1 in the ­future.

"It is not a small piece of infrastructure. It has always been a medium-term project," Mr Bailey said.

" ... The Sunshine Coast rail duplication is also expected be given some cash, although Ms Trad yesterday said the Federal Government needed to bring forward its commitment before the state would decide how much to commit.

"The Federal Government has made a small allocation of 50 per cent," she said. "The money for that is not available for another four to five years which makes it a bit of a gag, really. ...

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/998349477399351296

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Premier mum on Budget funding for Sunshine Coast rail

THERE will be more revelations to come ahead of the June 12-15 State Budget, but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is not saying whether or not they include funding to bring rail duplication to at least Landsborough.

The federal government announced early this month $390m in funding to cover half the project and capacity upgrades to Nambour.

This week Ms Palaszczuk and Treasurer Jackie Trad revealed plans for a $45 billion, four-year spending commitment for infrastructure.

Questioned about the project in Mackay this morning where her government was located for the week, Ms Palaszczuk said people should 'wait for the budget'.

"There will be more announcements before the Budget is handed down in June," the Premier said.

Labor first promised to build the project in 2008 and has more recently said the project required the completion of Cross River Rail in Brisbane to free up the network before North Coast Rail upgrades would be of any value.

Rail Back on Track advocate Robert Dow said the federal government needed to firm up delivery of its commitment and the state government to get on with a project that should have started nine years ago.

"The Sunshine Coast rail service is the worst in south-east Queensland," Mr Dow said.

"It's appalling and needs to be fixed to deliver good frequency and a reliable service."

He said the project had been accepted by Infrastructure Australia and had a strong business case.

"It's essential for the upgrade to start," Mr Dow said.

"I think they could come up with the money. The feds could advance their funding commitment or at least half to this year. If they did they should be able to start now."

He revealed that despite the big pre-federal budget announcement for North Coast Rail duplication, the money would actually be drip-funded over a number of years.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/998397684208713730

[achiruel]

Sunshine Coast should simply threaten secession. Don't want to fund rail and other services? That's fine, we'll stop paying taxes then...

Could call it "Northeast Queensland" or NEQ.

That would be, legally, incredibly difficult to do.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/999075935017091073

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/NickBehrens1/status/1003363559840079872

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: Jackie Trad must liberate Labor's economic message

JACKIE Trad has a well-earned reputation as both an agitator and conciliator within the Palaszczuk Government.

It's a reputation that followed her into politics after a stint as Labor's assistant state secretary.

Two terms in State Parliament have only served to reinforce the image.

From her expletive-riddled lambasting of Cairns irritant Rob Pyne to her routine dressing down of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's senior staff and the incursion against the Adani royalty deal, Trad has frequently been at the vanguard of internal discord.

Yet, equally, she's viewed by lobby groups and business types as the Government's primary instigator of action, the chief conductor with the ability to make the elephant of administration dance.

That's partly the product of numbers given Trad's Left faction has them within the Labor caucus.

But it's also borne from a personality hardwired against accepting the status quo yet pragmatic in execution.

Curtis Pitt's demise as treasurer was Trad's doing.

Palaszczuk may have pulled the trigger but Trad handed her the loaded weapon.

Now Trad holds the reins of Treasury, an opportunity that affords her a broader purview across the entire administration than simply being a wilful deputy ever did.

On Tuesday she'll deliver the recently re-elected Palaszczuk Government's first Budget.

Given aimless economic management and a befuddled narrative were two of the chief millstones that held the administration back last term, this fiscal blueprint represents a unique test for Trad.

The agitator must become the liberator of Labor's economic message.

Expect the standard hyperbole about small honey pots of money for specific purposes.

Credit will be claimed for global trade winds which have blown in Queensland's favour, like coal and LNG prices and currency conditions.

But the real crux of Trad's success should be measured on the path she sets the Palaszczuk Government on when it comes to addressing debt, cutting unemployment, investing in infrastructure and controlling expense growth.

No longer encumbered by the vagaries of a minority parliament, Labor's now has the ability and responsibility to chart its own course.

As much as what it will continue to try and trade off "not being Newman", the Government will reap a diminishing return from that approach and will be judged more on its efforts come the October 31, 2020, state election.

Yet Trad is not the only one who has played the part of agitator in this political pantomime.

Tim Mander was afforded the treasury spokesman role when the LNP divided the spoils of failure after the November election.

Like Trad, he was elected in 2012.

A stint as a low-profile, lower order minister in the Newman Government convinced Mander he was ready to lead the LNP last term. Yet his repeated insurgencies resulted only in the Everton MP being ridden like a Trojan horse by forces within the LNP who wanted to swap Lawrence Springborg for Tim Nicholls.

More than a few LNP members were surprised Mander iced his ambition and agreed to be Deb Frecklington's deputy in the post-election leadership showdown.

The former NRL referee, who bucked the Brisbane voting trend against the LNP in his inner northern seat of Everton, has the makings of a formidable retail politician.

However, some in the LNP question whether an ability to count to six in a tackle tally qualifies Mander to run economic policy for the alternative government.

Given the Queensland conservatives have long lauded their own fiscal credentials and Labor's lacklustre budgets have been a critical focus of past LNP attacks, Tuesday shapes up as an equal test for Mander as it does for Trad.

The gift of the gab Mander may have, but over the eight months he's been poring over Queensland's Budget predicament as the Opposition treasury spokesman, he's yet to cut through on a single issue.

Unemployment? Not much. Employee expenses? Not really. Debt? Not at all.

Part of the LNP's problem is that it has become the emperor with no clothes on Queensland's budgetary problems.

It can't criticise Labor's loose approach to employee expenses without being accused of planning another public servant purge.

It can't condemn Queensland's debt trajectory without raising the spectre of asset sales as a way the LNP is secretly banking on to reduce the Budget's borrowing bill.

Like a new owner of a run-down motel, the LNP is simply promising to hang an "Under New Management" sign up outside the Government's 1 William St headquarters and not much else, so far. This affords Trad some wriggle room.

Conservative royalty projections in concert with a relatively inexpensive suite of election promises will also make Trad's task of balancing the Budget and pulling new economic policy levers a little easier.

Mander has been gifted a collective of new taxes on punters, foreign property purchasers and car buyers, as well as a new waste levy, to hone his attention.

While their agitator days are far from over, it will be Trad and Mander who will be judged on their performances from Tuesday after the Budget is brought down.

This contest will be critical to the fortunes of both sides ahead of the next election.

[ozbob]

I hope Ms Trad does a better job as Treasurer than she managed as Transport Minister (both times).  Delivered a circus ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> With no will to slash services Jackie Trad's second Budget will be the one to watch

QUEENSLANDERS will be greeted with five new taxes and very few surprises on Tuesday when the state's newly minted Treasurer Jackie Trad hands down her first Budget since wresting the role from Curtis Pitt last year.

Trad had her first minor test in the new role as she handed down her first mid-year economic review after less than a fortnight in the role.

Several other tests have followed as she switched from holding out the soup bowl to being in control of the ladle in Budget negotiations leading up to Tuesday.

But just how deft a hand Trad is at juggling the state's tight financial situation will be writ large when her full Budget is revealed.

About $45 billion will be spent on capital works including roads, rail, schools and hospitals.

At least $700 million is expected to be handed to Trad's pet Cross River Rail project as the State pushes forward with its pledge to fully fund the $5.4 billion project.

Almost $900 million will be spent on upgrades to the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun and between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill with half of that cash to be spent over the next four years.

The government has also announced it will contribute $125 million to a new 1500 to 1700 seat theatre at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

An extra $200 million will be spent on funding concessions.

Trad's first post-Election Budget will also be focused on delivering on the $2.8 billion in election commitments Labor made during the November 2017 election campaign with its four new taxes and more than $1 billion in "re-prioritisations" designed to ensure they can be met without putting too much strain on the Budget bottom line.

Those taxes include an increase in the foreign acquirer duty from 3 per cent to 7 per cent to raise $99 million over three years.

Land tax will increase by 2.5 per cent on holdings of more than $10 million to raise $227 million and the motor vehicle duty will increase by $2 for every $100 over $100,000 in a bid to raise $90 million.

A new "point of consumption" wagering tax will raise a further $90 million over three years.

Those taxes and re-prioritisations are due to make the Government more than $570 million this coming financial year alone.

A new waste levy will also be added. It will start in the first quarter of next year and is expected to make about $200 million a year.

The new waste tax is a broken promise for Labor which initially said only the four next taxes it revealed on the eve of the November 25 election would be the only ones introduced in this coming Budget.

But with two more Budgets to come before the next election, the Government has time to get voters used to the idea.

Just whether voters will be happy with some of that waste tax being funnelled into Treasury's coffers, however, remains to be seen.

Councils are not impressed and have already begun a campaign to ensure 100 per cent of the tax the Government has sold as necessary to build a new waste and recycling industry in Queensland is spent building that industry.

Trad has so far kept mum on the details of the levy, other than to reveal it will start at $70 a tonne from the start of next year and then increase by $5 a year for four years.

The resources industry is again expected to ride in like a white knight on a trusty steed with more royalties than initially predicted.

The Queensland Resources Council predicts the coal industry will hand the State Government a record royalty haul of $3.7 billion this financial year.

That is $530 million more than was forecast in the Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review and about $1 billion more than former Treasurer Curtis Pitt predicted in his final Budget last year.

Tinkering with the royalties formula to further capitalise on this, as was done by the LNP when it first won office in 2012, is not expected this coming financial year at least.

The Queensland public is also unlikely to see a bold plan to tackle debt contained within this Budget.

Labor is yet to announce anything new on the issue and the LNP also failed to outline any real debt plan before last year's election with asset sales firmly off the table.

All the while the State's debt continues to climb, heading towards $83 billion by 21/22.

Queensland's debt per capita — currently at more than $14,000 — the second highest in the country.

The state's interest bill is tracking at about $1.7 billion a year.

Analysis has shown Labor paid $5.6 billion in interest last term with a further $5.1 billion in interest repayments to be made this term.

That money could have paid for Cross River Rail almost twice over.

Just how Queensland will fill a looming GST hole also remains to be seen, as does the hit coming from Aurizon's dispute with the Queensland Competition Authority over how much it can charge customers going forward.

Trad has estimated Queensland could miss out on $1.4 billion in GST if the Commonwealth forges ahead with plans to change the allocation to the states.

The State will already miss out on about $400 million this coming financial year.

With limited other levers available to fill that hole and no will within Labor to slash services or reduce the size of the public service, Trad's second Budget will be the one to watch.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005489315483303936

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/big-demands-ahead-of-queensland-budget-reveal-20180609-p4zkjr.html

... Explainer of Queensland budget stakeholder wishes

Industry groups, lobbyists and unions have outlined their demands to the Queensland government ahead of its budget release on Tuesday.

Here is what they're asking for:

RACQ - More police on the state's roads, dumping the 3.5 per cent increase to car registration and driver licence fees and upgrades to roads to include separate cycling lanes.

Local Government Association of Queensland - Reforms to the council grants scheme, increased investment in water and telecommunications infrastructure.

Queensland Council of Social Services - Double spending on community centres to $30 million over three years and maintain investment for housing in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

AMA Queensland - Funding for an anti-obesity public awareness campaign targeting mothers, a new medical education and training institute and reforms to the Office of Health Ombudsman.

Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union - A boost in the number of employed nurses and midwives and money for the introducing of a public reporting framework for public, private and aged care sectors.

United Voice - Increased funding to employ more ambulance officers, teacher aides, allied health professionals and the safe and secure management of privately run prisons.

AgForce - More road and rail infrastructure funding, additional assistance for drought-affected communities and the continued roll-out of wild dog exclusion fencing.

Queensland Resources Council - Continued stability on royalties and double the current $3.6 million over four years available in grants to identify new mineral deposits for development.

Australian Industry Group - Consider selling public assets, assign a cabinet minister to cutting red tape and fast track infrastructure projects.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland - Reduce business operating costs, simplify the tax system and cut red tape.

Master Builders Queensland - A $2.9 billion increase in capital expenditure, with $1.8 billion towards residential and non-residential buildings. ...

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005489983413579776

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/999075935017091073

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1006320599432613892

[ozbob]

This website will be updated once budget released in Parliament (after 2pm).

>> https://budget.qld.gov.au/

[ozbob]

Using a tablet will tidy up later
=========================

Strong economic and jobs growth in South East Queensland is attracting more people, with our population growing at one of the fastest rates in Australia. This Budget plans for this growth by investing in our long-term infrastructure needs, which will deliver positive and transformational change.

The 2018-19 Budget delivers a range of infrastructure projects designed to build for the future of South East Queensland. These include:


The commencement of planning of the M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades, in partnership with the Australian Government:
between Varsity Lakes and Tugun on the Queensland/New South Wales border at a total estimated cost of $1.03 billion
between Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill at a total estimated cost of $749 million.
$160.8 million over four years towards the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail duplication project to address the infrastructure and capacity constraints on this section of the North Coast Line. Detailed design will commence in 2018-19, with construction to be delivered in stages based on further negotiations with the Australian Government.
$40.5 million to upgrade accessibility at train stations, including Strathpine, Boondall, Morayfield, Southbank, Cannon Hill, Dakabin and Buranda.
$68 million to upgrade a section of the Ipswich Motorway between Rocklea and Darra, at a total cost of $400 million, in partnership with the Australian Government.
$50 million to upgrade the Pacific Motorway/Gateway Motorway merge, in partnership with the Australian Government at a total cost of $190 million.
$20 million over four years from 2017-18 to widen the Mount Lindesay Highway to four lanes. These works will also raise the road for flood-proofing.
$88.6 million over four years from 2017-18 to significantly expand park 'n' ride capacity at Salisbury, Darra, Lawnton, Lindum, Geebung, Virginia and Springfield train stations and $25.5 million for Greenbank and Eight Mile Plains bus stations.
$53 million over five years from 2017-18 for the Northern Transitway to deliver continuous dedicated bus lanes during peak hours from Chermside to Kedron, while retaining all existing lanes.
$22 million over four years from 2017-18 to deliver the Eastern Transitway with upgrades to five major intersections, located at Cavendish Road, Bennetts Road, Boundary Road, Gallipoli Road and Creek Road, which will include bus priority measures on Old Cleveland Road.
$48 million over four years from 2017-18 for the Centenary Motorway upgrade bringing total funding to $65 million.


The Palaszczuk Government will also continue to work with developers of the Queen's Wharf leisure and entertainment precinct under construction in the Brisbane CBD as well as those behind the proposed Eagle Street Pier and Brisbane Live projects which will have the potential to reshape Queensland's capital.

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail

Cross River Rail is an example of how game changing infrastructure drives job creation and economic prosperity.

By removing the bottleneck at the core of South East Queensland's rail network, Cross River Rail will allow more trains to run more often enabling a 'turn-up-and-go' transport system that benefits the entire region.

During the five-year construction period, Cross River Rail will support an average of 1,500 jobs each year and up to 3,000 jobs in the most intensive year of construction.


Every dollar invested in the project will return $1.41 in economic benefits, and the total benefits of the project will exceed costs by $1.9 billion.

[ozbob]

Note well transit ways northern and eastern!

[ozbob]

Hidden in Budget paper Capital Statement is $89 million for Next Generation Ticketing

[SurfRail]

Queensland must be the only state where actual bus service improvements don't get announced at budget time - only the concrete and paint stuff.

[ozbob]

Capital Statement 2018-19

Queensland Rail Limited

In 2018-19, $587.5 million is allocated towards capital purchases for QueenslandRail.

Program Highlights (Property, Plant and Equipment)

$188.4 million is provided towards projects that will grow or enhance the QueenslandRail network including:

$43.3 million to upgrade (or improve) station accessibility at various train stations including Strathpine, Boondall, Morayfield, Southbank, Dakabin, Cannon Hill, Buranda, Fairfield, Albion, East Ipswich and Loganlea stations.

$35.4 million to implement the European Train Control System - Inner City.

$35.3 million to continue investment to support the delivery of the New Generation Rollingstock into service.

$21.9 million to upgrade the capacity of the North Coast Rail Line to increase productivity and efficiency of freight transport.

$14.7 million to revitalise and modernise Brisbane's Central Station to improve the customer experience and cater for future growth.

$12.4 million to upgrade park and ride facilities at Salisbury, Darra, Lawnton,Lindum, Geebung, Virginia and Springfield Central train stations.

$9.5 million to continue track and tunnel upgrades between Brisbane and Toowoomba to cater for growing demand.

$4.1 million to upgrade 1.9 kilometres of rail track on the Yeppoon Rail Line.

$399.1 million to replace, renew and upgrade rail infrastructure, rollingstock,buildings, facilities, and other supporting assets including:

$237.4 million to invest in the network including track infrastructure, civil structures, signalling and other network assets.

$88.8 million to invest in rail operations including rollingstock overhauls, operational facilities, and other rail operations assets.

$53.3 million for business enabling investment on corporate, property and ICTworks across Queensland.

$19.6 million to improve customer experience, maintain service continuity and build network resilience on the Townsville - Mount Isa Rail Line.

[ozbob]

Still to check closely but seems only thing not covered on my budget wish list is level crossing removal ( and PTQ ).

Apart from that  🆗

[achiruel]

Not covered from my wish list is Manly 3rd platform, Cleveland duplication, Beenleigh station redesign/rebuild/3rd (maybe 4th) platform.

[ozbob]

Not covered from my wish list is Manly 3rd platform, Cleveland duplication, Beenleigh station redesign/rebuild/3rd (maybe 4th) platform.

We need to start working on this as a campaign, as well as level crossing removals.

[STB]

Not covered from my wish list is Manly 3rd platform, Cleveland duplication, Beenleigh station redesign/rebuild/3rd (maybe 4th) platform.

We need to start working on this as a campaign, as well as level crossing removals.

Honestly, Cross River Rail and duplicating the Sunshine Coast line comes before those infrastructure projects.  Cleveland duplication is pretty useless (except for bypassing broken down trains) at least until the Merivale Bridge is freed up of the Beenleigh and Gold Coast traffic.

When the Cleveland line duplication occurs, I'd probably look at expanding the Manly and Cleveland yards for additional stabling and reduce empty running.

With the Beenleigh line, I'd honestly look at quadding the line between Kuraby and Dutton Park/entry to CRR, and triplicating the track to Beenleigh (from Kuraby), to provide better separation between the GC and Beenleigh lines - this would also likely allow Beenleigh expresses to return with Kuraby all station starters - I'd run the Kuraby starters every 15mins) and run via the Merivale Bridge with the Beenleigh and GC trains running via CRR.

[verbatim9]

Hidden in Budget paper Capital Statement is $89 million for Next Generation Ticketing

That's great! re Next Generation Ticketing


https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/queensland-budget-2018-go-card-to-be-replaced-by-mobile-app/news-story/cd5b4551610bd606a78b87f64579e137

PUBLIC transport ticketing is set to be revolutionised with commuters able to pay for their trips from a range of smart devices in an attempt to lessen the need for a Go Card in the future.

Mobile phones, smart watches and credit cards will all be able to be used to pay for a fare on Queensland public transport under a plan to make it easy for anyone to use services.

Trials are expected to begin later this year after $371 million was committed over four years to refine the service.

[STB]

By the way, just in regards to the SC line funding, I strongly suspect it's a political maneuver to allow the Federal ALP to have breathing space to announce the remaining funding for the SC line, which would wedge the Coalition down in Canberra.

The next Federal election next year will probably bring up the goods.

[Cazza]

With the Beenleigh line, I'd honestly look at quadding the line between Kuraby and Dutton Park/entry to CRR, and triplicating the track to Beenleigh (from Kuraby), to provide better separation between the GC and Beenleigh lines - this would also likely allow Beenleigh expresses to return with Kuraby all station starters - I'd run the Kuraby starters every 15mins) and run via the Merivale Bridge with the Beenleigh and GC trains running via CRR.

Let's not even start with the idea of only 3 tracks- we all know how that one went down. If you're gonna do it, do it properly. No point coming back to do it twice.

However, I would be up for the idea of quad to Kuraby, leave Kuraby to Beenleigh 2 tracks then have the GC Line run down the M1. A boy can dream, hey?

[SurfRail]

At this stage I don't want to see a cent allocated south of Salisbury.  The alignment is too compromised and it would suck up too much capital that would ultimately be a stranded investment.  It needs a new alignment, and I suspect they will eventually come around to this line of thought.  Just need enough prodding.

[Jonno]

Still too much spent widening freeways in the futile belief it will reduce congestion!

[#Metro]

Fund my EXPRESS hovercraft now!! #budget