$29.7 billion QLD roads and transport plan

The Queensland Government has released its $29.7 billion roads and transport investment plan, prioritising regional projects and road safety programs.

The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2022-23 outlines current and planned investments over the next four years.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said the seventh record roads and transport budget in a row is helping to build an even more impressive pipeline of projects.

“Queensland is growing rapidly, with our world leading pandemic response making our state the place to be, but we know we need infrastructure to support this growth and that’s what this budget delivers for Queenslanders,” Mr Bailey said.

“The investment will drive the Queensland Government’s plan for shifting from economic recovery to future growth and prosperity, supporting jobs and delivering critical infrastructure to keep our state moving.

“This year’s $29.7 billion in road and transport infrastructure investment plan will support 25,200 direct jobs, helping to promote more jobs in more industries, all while delivering better transport options for Queenslanders.”

Mr Bailey said the budget includes major investment in south-east Queensland roads.

“Works are ramping up on the M1, Bruce Highway, and on the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector,” Mr Bailey said.

“Driving from Coolangatta to Coolum, Queenslanders can see just how many major upgrades are going on through that corridor.

“From the $1 billion Varsity Lakes to Tugun M1 upgrade and the $1 billion Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway M1 upgrade, to the $662.5 million Caboolture to Steve Irwin Way Bruce Highway upgrade, we’re delivering more lanes, better interchanges, and safer conditions across the south-east’s major roads.

“On top of that, we’re building a brand new highway, the Coomera Connector, which will deliver a second M1 between Logan and the Gold Coast, and will be the biggest road project in Queensland’s history.

“That’s the major work we are delivering right now, while also planning for the future with a range of planning studies and business cases funded through this budget to detail what’s needed next across the region.”

Funding regional corridors

Queensland Assistant Minister Regional Roads and Train Manufacturing, Bruce Saunders, said major regional corridors such as the Bruce Highway are getting further significant investment, improving capacity, flood immunity and road safety.

“More than half of this record-breaking investment will directly support regional Queensland, with over $18 billion worth of road and transport projects being delivered outside the Brisbane region,” Mr Saunders said.

“The pipeline of investment outlined in this plan will support an average of 16,220 direct jobs across regional Queensland, stepping up our focus on supporting regional growth.

“This includes funding for major regional projects like the $1.06 billion Rockhampton Ring Road, the $1 billion Cooroy to Curra Bruce Highway upgrade, the $481 million Cairns Southern Access Corridor Bruce Highway upgrade, the $350 million Mackay Port Access road, the $336 million Tiaro Bypass on the Bruce and the $230 million Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5).

“It also includes $280 million over four years for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme which increases our commitment to work with local governments on local road and transport networks in regional areas.”

Road safety programs

Mr Bailey said $1.49 billion was allocated to targeted road safety programs, which was additional to road safety improvements delivered as part of major programs and projects.

“Improving road safety to reduce road trauma and save lives remains our highest priority,” Mr Bailey said.

“This investment continues on a legacy of constant improvement through our various safety programs, supported by our investment in infrastructure which improves road conditions.”

Mr Bailey said the budget also meant the Queensland Government will be delivering $266.2 million for active transport infrastructure.

“This includes projects such as the Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads Cycleway, the Veloway 1 O’Keefe Street bridge, active transport path and crossing along Gympie – Brooloo Road, and the New England Highway Bikeway, Highfields to Toowoomba (Stage 2),” Mr Bailey said.

“This is in addition to other projects that provide improvements to the active transport network, such as infrastructure upgrades associated with Coomera Connector Stage 1, Centenary Bridge upgrade and various projects on the M1 and Bruce Highway.

“Queensland boaties can also look forward to an investment of $185.3 million towards maintenance and upgrades of their local facilities, including boat ramps, floating walkways, pontoons and dredging projects.

“This year’s QTRIP really highlights the important work we are delivering across the state, making Queensland the place everyone wants to be.”

Mr Bailey also noted the timing of the 2022 Federal Election meant QTRIP had been developed in advance of the incoming Federal Government’s formal updates to the National Partnership Agreement on Land Transport Infrastructure Projects Schedule for Queensland.

Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government would work closely with the Federal Government in coming months to incorporate new commitments into the infrastructure pipeline such as additional federal funding for the Bruce Highway, Kuranda Range, Boundary Road level crossing (Coopers Plains) and Ipswich Motorway planning.

https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2022/06/22/29-7-billion-qld-roads-and-transport-plan/

Federal Budget 2022: Infrastructure to receive 17.9B boost

Existing and new infrastructure projects across Australia are set to receive a $17.9 billion funding boost from the Federal Government, bringing the Government’s rolling 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline from $110 billion to over $120 billion.

With the Federal Government due to hand down its 2022-23 Budget in Parliament on March 29, infrastructure funding commitments form a key part of the coalition’s plans for economic recovery and growth, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

“Continuing to provide record future funding for road and rail projects is a key part of our economic plan for the long term to keep our economy strong, the Prime Minister said.

“by investing in these projects we are delivering the infrastructure that the Australian economy needs to grow, to get Australians home sooner and safer, and generate thousands of jobs and new opportunities for small businesses right across the country.”

A state-by-state break-down of key commitments for new and existing infrastructure projects follows:

Victoria

New projects: Key new projects funded in Victoria in the 2022–23 Budget include:

  • $3.1 billion in new commitments to deliver the $3.6 billion Melbourne Intermodal Terminal Package:
  • $1.2 billion for the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal in Beveridge, taking the total investment to $1.62 billion;
  • $280 million for Road Connections, including Camerons Lane Interchange, to the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal;
  • $740 million for the Western Interstate Freight Terminal in Truganina;
  • $920 million for the Outer Metropolitan Ring – South Rail connection to the Western Interstate Freight Terminal;
  • $109.5 million for the Mickleham Road Upgrade.

Existing projects:The Budget also includes additional funding for existing projects, including:

  • $45 million for the Ballarat to Ouyen – Future Priorities;
  • $23.1 million for the Canterbury Road Upgrade.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in Victoria since 2013 to more than $35.5 billion across nearly 300 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 99 projects having been completed in the period.

New South Wales

New projects: Among key new projects funded in New South Wales in the 2022–23 Budget is:

Existing projects: The Budget also includes additional funding for existing projects, including:

  • $352 million for the Milton Ulladulla Bypass;
  • $300 million for the Grade Separating Road Interfaces;
  • $65 million for the M5 Motorway – Moorebank Avenue – Hume Highway Intersection Upgrade.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in New South Wales since 2013 to more than $48.5 billion across 240 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 106 projects completed over this period.

Queensland

New projects: Key new projects funded in Queensland in the 2022–23 Budget include:

  • $1.6 billion for the Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast rail extension;
  • $1.121 billion for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast Faster Rail Upgrade;
  • $150 million for the Brisbane Metro – Woolloongabba Station; $396 million for the South East Queensland City Deal;
  • $27.2 million for three business cases for upgrades on the Bruce Highway between Anzac Avenue and Caboolture Bribie Island Road;
  • $22.5 million for Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032 business case development;
  • $20 million for safety upgrades on the Brisbane Valley Highway.

Existing projects: The Budget also includes additional funding for existing projects and Roads of Strategic Importance corridors, including:

  • $68.5 million for the Cooktown to Weipa Corridor Upgrade – bringing the total Australian Government funding to the corridor to $258.5 million;
  • $11.5 million for the Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade – bringing the total Australian Government funding to the corridor to $211.5 million.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in Queensland since 2013 to more than $35.9 billion across 349 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 155 projects having been completed in the period.

Western Australia

New projects: Key new projects funded in Western Australia in the 2022–23 Budget include:

  • $145 million for the Thomas Road South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway and interchange at Tonkin Highway;
  • $140 million for Regional Road Safety Upgrades;
  • $100 million for the METRONET: Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal;
  • $50 million for the Tonkin Highway – North Ellenbrook Interchange;
  • $48 million for the Moorine Rock to Mt Holland Road Upgrades;
  • $40 million for the Newman to Katherine Corridor Upgrade – Great Northern Highway Upgrade – Newman to Port Hedland Overtaking Lanes.

Existing projects: The Budget also includes additional funding for existing projects, including:

  • $320 million for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (Stages two and three);
  • $200 million for the Tonkin Highway Stage three Extension;
  • $178 million for the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation – Stages one and two;
  • $135 million for the METRONET: Thornlie-Cockburn Link;
  • $116 million for the METRONET: High Capacity Signalling;
  • $90 million for the METRONET: Yanchep Rail Extension.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in Western Australia since 2013 to more than $20.2 billion across 152 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 50 projects having been completed in the period.

South Australia

New projects: Key new projects funded in South Australia in the 2022–23 Budget include:

  • $200 million for the Marion Road – Anzac Highway to Cross Road;
  • $120 million for the Adelaide Hills Productivity and Road Safety Package
  • $60 million for the South East Freeway Managed Motorways – Stage two;
  • $60 million for the Targeted Investments to Improve National Supply Chain Resilience;
  • $16 million for the Main South Road Productivity Package.

Existing projects: The Budget also includes $2.264 billion in additional funding for the North South Corridor – Torrens to Darlington, $40 million in additional funding for Horrocks Highway Corridor, and $20 million in additional funding for the Marion Road and Sir Donald Bradman Drive Intersection Upgrade.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in South Australia since 2013 to more than $13.7 billion across 95 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 39 projects having been completed in the period.

ACT

New projects: Key new projects funded in the ACT in the 2022–23 Budget are:

  • $46.7 million for the Athllon Drive Duplication;
  • $2.8 million for the Kent Street and Novar Street Intersection Upgrades;
  • $1.5 million for the Inner Canberra Corridor Planning Package.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in the ACT since 2013 to more than $1.3 billion across 29 road and rail infrastructure projects, with ten projects having been completed in the period.

Northern Territory

New projects: Key new projects funded in the Northern Territory in the 2022-23 Budget include:

  • $132 million for Central Australian Tourism Roads;
  • $55 million for the Tiger Brennan Drive/Berrimah Road Intersection Upgrade.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in the Northern Territory since 2013 to more than $3.7 billion across 66 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 36 projects having been completed in the period.

Tasmania

New projects: Key new projects funded in Tasmania in the 2022–23 Budget include:

  • $336 million for the Tasmanian Roads Package – Northern Roads Package – Stage two;
  • $100 million for the Great Eastern Drive Tourism Support – additional packages;
  • $96 million for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program – Tranche four;
  • $56 million for the Tasmanian Roads Package – Tasman Highway Sideling Upgrade – Stage two;
  • $24 million for the Bell Bay Line – Reconnection to the Bell Bay Wharf;
  • $14.4 million for the Melba Line Bulk Minerals Rail Hub;
  • $13.5 million for the Hobart – Northern Transit Corridor Solution.

This brings the Coalition’s total infrastructure investment in Tasmania since 2013 to more than $4.5 billion across 98 road and rail infrastructure projects, with 52 projects having been completed in the period.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Government was building the infrastructure that would make the economy stronger.

“We are investing in projects that will drive the growth of industries that generate the wealth our nation needs to become as strong as possible as quickly as possible,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Getting more commodities to ports and sending them overseas will generate more export income, making our nation wealthier and stronger. Better roads and infrastructure will enable that.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said infrastructure was a key pillar of our economic plan to grow the economy and get more Australians into work.

“With the unemployment rate already at an equal 48 year low, the measures in this Budget will create an additional 40,000 jobs across Australia, building on our world leading economic recovery,” the Treasurer said.

“By enhancing transport connectivity, we’re strengthening our supply chains against challenges such as COVID-related disruptions and the impact of natural disasters. This gives businesses and consumers the confidence and certainty they need in uncertain times.”

The Treasurer will deliver the 2022-23 Federal Budget at approximately 7.30 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 29 March 2022.

Adaptation, change, and equality – women to the front of the built environment

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The theme this year is #BreaktheBias. 

With the currently still unfolding devastation of flooding playing out across our communities in NSW and QLD, women are playing a critical role in protecting their communities from the impacts of climate change at all levels as decision makers, educators and advocates. 

The built environment plays a critical role in shifting the dial on climate change and preventing the kinds of community damage we are seeing with these floods. 

“I would strongly encourage women to consider a career in the built and natural environment,” Consult Australia chief operating officer Nicola Grayson.

“Women are in a great place to step into a career in this industry, and what better industry to step into than this one that is doing so much to invest in climate and to help the economy recover from COVID-19. These skill sets are going to be shaping Australia for decades to come. Now is a wonderful time to step into the industry, and into leadership opportunities.”

In the built environment sectors architecture and construction are still overwhelmingly male-dominated, despite incentives like Property Champions of Change and the NSW government’s Investing in Women Funding Program. 

Ms Grayson says that mentorship and interventions like these are vital to progress gender equality in the natural and built environment sectors.

“Having someone in leadership sponsoring me made an enormous impact and really helped me in terms of progressing. When I look back, there’s two or three people that made a big impact on me and steered me through choppy waters. I’ve been lucky enough to have those role models, I know a lot of women aren’t.”

“There’s an enormous role that leaders can play in women’s leadership development. Championing women in the business, talking loudly about fantastic performance of women and breaking that ‘tapping on the shoulder’ network of recruitment and promotion.”

Construction continues on Townsville Ring Road upgrade

Four new bridges and overpasses on the Townsville Ring Road are under construction, as part of works on the $230 million Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 (TRR5) works.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Barnaby Joyce said the works are already delivering benefits to the region, with a strong focus on using materials and suppliers from the Townsville area.

“The TRR5 project will provide long-term improvements to traffic flow and road safety on the Bruce Highway in Townsville,” Joyce said.

“This upgrade is about ensuring the Bruce Highway can meet the strategic transport needs of the Townsville region well into the future.

“More than 17,000 vehicles use this section each day, 12 per cent of which are freight vehicles.

“When the upgrade is completed, these passenger and freight vehicles will benefit from improved efficiency and safety, reduced travel times and better access to the region.”

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said more than 200,000 tonnes of material had already been delivered to form the new Bruce Highway carriageway and bridge approaches.

“The project will duplicate the Ring Road between Vickers Bridge and Shaw Road to four lanes and install new bridges and overpasses at the Bohle and Little Bohle Rivers, and at Beck Drive and Hervey Range Developmental Road,” Bailey said.

“The end result will be improved safety and efficiency for road users, and better access between the Upper Ross and the Ring Road, especially for locals heading to and from key employment areas such as the hospital and university.”

Bridge piling has been completed on two of the four major structures. Works will continue as crews return from the Christmas break.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the project was extremely important for the Townsville region.

“There’s nothing more important when it comes to our roads than safety, and the Bruce Highway is the busiest and most critical road in Queensland,” Thompson said.

“That is why the Australian Government is investing 80 per cent of the cost of this project – that’s $184 million – as part of our $10 billion 15-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program to improve road safety, capacity and flood resilience between Brisbane and Cairns.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said local contractors and suppliers would reap the benefits of the project.

“We have 39 local businesses currently engaged and completing works on the Ring Road upgrade, with more than 80 per cent of spend to date going to local suppliers and contractors,” Harper said.

“That’s more than $40 million that has been injected into Townsville and the surrounding region, benefiting local companies employing local workers.

“We’ll see these economic benefits continue to flow through the community as works continue throughout 2022 and into 2023.

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, and due for completion in 2023.

Cockburn finally free of roadworks as new freeway bridge opens to traffic

The North Lake Road bridge was opened to traffic on Wednesday, marking the end of more than half a decade of major roadworks in the congested Cockburn area.

Since 2014, city commuters heading through Cockburn and surrounding suburbs have been slowed by two freeway widening projects, the upgrade of the Roe Highway interchange and works on Armadale Road.

The freeway 80 zones continued in 2019 when work began on the North Lake Road bridge.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the $259 million bridge and associated works east of the freeway were the “last piece of the jigsaw puzzle” for the area.

“The majority of the roadworks have been done I think there’s been four major road projects delivered in the southern corridor,” she said.

“The City of Cockburn is set to boom over the next decade, so it’s important we are building the infrastructure we need for tomorrow.

“This project combined with the Kwinana Freeway upgrades, the recently opened Karel Avenue, the Armadale Road upgrades and the future Metronet Thornlie-Cockburn link, will make a big difference every day for commuters.”

The Kwinana Freeway-Armadale Road bridge is one of the most congested intersections in Perth with more than 55,000 vehicles using it daily.

The North Lake Road bridge was expected to ease pressure on that bridge by diverting east-west traffic out of the Cockburn Central area.

The final leg of Armadale Road has also been upgraded with a new bridge removing traffic from the Tapper Road intersection and a trench structure will remove traffic from the Solomon Road intersection.

The project will also erase any memories of half-hour waits to exit the Cockburn Central train station car park, with three more exits available in an upgraded 1100-bay car park.

The WA government funded $51.8 million for the project, while the federal government coughed up $207. 2 million.

The ribbon-cutting was welcome news to Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett, who together with the City of Armadale leveraged the Canning by-election and change of state government to push for both upper-tier governments to fund the project.

The joint Community Connect South campaign was launched in 2015 ahead of the Canning by-election to push for the Armadale Road widening and North Lake Road bridge, with both councils fearing the existing east-to-west road networks would not be able to handle booming population growth in the region.

“Together with the City of Armadale, Cockburn pushed very strongly, we lobbied the federal and state government, and we’re very pleased to say that finally, this project has now come to fruition,” he said.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher said the project would relieve congestion in Perth’s southern suburbs.

“By alleviating congestion through important projects like this one, we’re helping people to get home to their families sooner and safer, we’re helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we’re generating jobs across the country.”

Commuters are not entirely free of 80 zones on the freeway yet. Work on the Thornlie to Cockburn train link still requires a diversion of traffic.

The state is gearing up for the longest consecutive closure of the Mandurah line in its history to complete work on the Thornlie to Cockburn link.

Trains between Aubin Grove and Elizabeth Quay stations will be cancelled from Boxing Day until January 14.

Ms Saffioti said the state made the decision to have a short, but significant shutdown, rather than having lots of shutdowns over the next year.