This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
A NEW Brisbane Metro station near the Gabba will be delivered ahead of the 2032 Olympics after all three levels of government signed off on the $1.8 billion South Queensland City Deal.
The new $450 million Woolloongabba station, close to the Olympics’ major stadium, is one of multiple major infrastructure projects that are part of the package, which has in mind the region’s population growing to 5.4 million by 2041.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner signed the deal at a cross-party event at the Gabba yesterday.
“South east Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and with the population expected to continue to grow, it is crucial that we invest in the infrastructure it needs to thrive for decades to come,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“From Brisbane to Toowoomba, Ipswich to the Sunshine Coast and everywhere in between, this deal delivers for south east Queenslanders.”
The SEQ Liveability fund will receive $285 million for social and economic priority projects for the councils, $150 million will go towards the SEQ Innovation Economy Fund to support capital projects that promote and grow the region’s innovation economy, while $105 million will go to resource recovery infrastructure for managing waste and “progress the region to a circular economy”, and $70 million for digital connectivity projects to support place based telecommunications infrastructure and improved digital connectivity.
In Brisbane, a further $190.2 million will be allocated towards the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, while $210 million will go towards infrastructure in the Moreton Bay Region’s Caboolture West, which is expected to be home to population boom of 70,000 in the coming years.
About $45 million will go to infrastructure in Loganlea and Meadowbrook, $41 million for the Dunwich Ferry Terminal upgrade in Redlands, $40 million for the Wellcamp Entertainment Precinct in Toowoomba, and $25 million for the Toowoomba Railway Parklands.
Wetlands will be installed for flood management at Blue Heart Sunshine Coast for over $35 million.
“The economic impact of this major investment will be significant, with more than 30 projects set to generate more than 2,000 jobs, while ensuring that the state is in the best position possible to host a successful 2032 Olympics,” the Prime Minister said.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the cooperation between all levels of government would ensure that the region has the right infrastructure in place as the population grows.
“I have always said we work best when we work together.”
“The winners are Queenslanders.”
The National Retail Association welcomed the announcement, saying the infrastructure boost will help restore the struggling retail and hospitality industry.
“South east Queensland’s retail and hospitality sector is struggling to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic and more recently the floods,” NRA director of industry Insights Bec Goulter:
