Palaszczuk Government pitches projects as nationally significant infrastructure

CROSS River Rail and the extension of the Gold Coast Light Rail are two of 12 projects the Palaszczuk Government is hoping will be recognised as nationally significant infrastructure by Infrastructure Australia.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad today tabled the Government’s submission to IA and outlined the 12 projects the Government hopes will make the cut.

She said the Government would also lobby to have a new Townsville stadium considered by the body.

“Cross River Rail remains our number one priority on the 2013 Infrastructure Priority List,” Ms Trad told State Parliament.

“This project directly addresses the Brisbane CBD capacity constraint issues identified in the Australia Infrastructure Audit.

“But the Federal Government has still not committed to funding this — or the other critical large-scale infrastructure projects needed to ease congestion and drive productivity.”

Ms Trad said the Gold Coast Light Rail extension and duplication of the rail line from Beerburrum to Nambour on the Sunshine Coast were also high on the list

“Our submission also includes a reform proposal to deliver a sustainable asset renewal, preservation and operations program on Queensland’s National Land Transport Network,” she said.

“We believe it is critical that the Australian Government fulfils its responsibility and provides more funding for maintenance to enable more efficient and reliable freight access, improved road safety and reduced whole-of-life costs.”

Ms Trad said other new projects put forward for Infrastructure Australia’s consideration and inclusion in the updated Infrastructure Priority List included:

— additional Bruce Highway upgrades

— Cunningham Highway — Yamanto to Ebenezer/Amberley upgrade

— Pacific Motorway — Gateway/Pacific Motorway merge and Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes capacity upgrade

— Inland Rail/Southern Rail Corridor (Queensland section)

— Smart Road Infrastructure for South East Queensland Managed Motorway

“In addition to the 12 projects identified for inclusion in IA’s priority list, we have also highlighted our preliminary work on a range of other important projects, including North Queensland Infrastructure, water infrastructure, and aviation infrastructure,” Ms Trad said.

“We have also sought IA’s advice about the potential inclusion of the Townsville Sports and Entertainment Centre on the list, as projects like this have not historically been included in IA’s remit.

“We remain hopeful that the new Turnbull Government will take a different approach to investing in vital urban infrastructure projects which were ignored by the Abbott Government.”

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