2026-27 QLD Budget commits $55.9bn for Safer Roads, Better Transport

In the 2026-27 State Budget, the Queensland Government is committing $55.9 billion over four years to deliver infrastructure that will boost safety on state roads and provide better transport options to get Queenslanders home sooner and safer.

The Safer Roads, Better Transport plan includes:

• Delivering generational Gold Coast public transport including a light rail extension from the Gold Coast University Hospital to Biggera Waters and The Surfer from Robina to Coolangatta, as part of a new Gold Coast Transport Plan
• Progressing Faster Rail between Logan and the Gold Coast with construction to commence on the Kuraby Level Crossing replacement, in the $5.75 billion project jointly funded with the Federal Government
• Continuing to deliver a better Bruce Highway with critical safety works in the $9 billion program locked-in with the Federal Government under an 80:20 partnership
• Commencing Stage 1 of The Wave all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport with $460 million in 2026-27, as part of a $5.5 billion investment in partnership with the Federal Government
• Progressing critical regional upgrades including Barron River Bridge, the Bribie Island Bridge, the Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan and the Mooloolah River Interchange with $55.9 billion in new and upgraded roads, bridges and transport over four years
• Continuing to deliver the safety and flood resilience of regional unsealed roads across regional Queensland with the $100 million Country Roads Connect Program

Delivering these generational infrastructure will not only provide safer roads and better transport options, but they will also help preserve Queensland’s way of life.

“This year’s Budget strengthens the foundation for a fresh start, in the face of significant international and national pressures.

“This is a Budget delivering better services through a stronger economy for all Queenslanders with relief you can rely on, building Queensland’s future with generational infrastructure and a place to call home for more Queenslanders, and making Queensland safer with more police, stronger laws, early intervention and rehabilitation.

“This Budget continues the calm and methodical delivery of our promises with respect for Queenslanders’ money, a focus on helping Queenslanders through the tough times and making responsible decisions for now, and in the future,” Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki MP said.

Gold Coast Transport Plan

The Gold Coast Light Rail extension will connect Harbour Town in Biggera Waters to the Gold Coast University Hospital, running along Olsen Avenue and Oxley Drive, and will include three new stations at Musgrave Avenue, Labrador and Biggera Waters.

Extending the light rail corridor will help reduce congestion while providing a public transport solution to support the northern Gold Coast’s growing population. This project will also support demands during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Additional light rail vehicles are also being proposed to be acquired alongside another depot to be constructed to support the delivery of a larger network and more frequent light rail services.

The Surfer, on the other hand, is a metro-style bus service that will connect Burleigh Heads to the Gold Coast Airport.

It will provide a modern, efficient and sustainable transport solution that will run every ten minutes between Robina, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Airport, and Coolangatta.

Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail

The $5.75 billion project will double the tracks along a 20-kilometre rail corridor between Kuraby and Beenleigh to increase the rail network capacity as well as improve reliability of train services.

Station upgrades will also be carried out at Kuraby, Trinder Park, Woodridge, Kingston, Loganlea, Bethania, Edens Landing, Holmview, and Beenleigh.

Several level crossings will also be removed, including at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview and Beenleigh.

Other works to be delivered include upgrades to the local road network and improvements to walking and cycling connections to the stations, enabling works for European Train Control System (ETCS), and extension of the cattle siding at Holmview.

The design and pre-construction contract for the project was awarded to ActivUs Alliance last year.

Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program

This $9 billion program of works will improve road safety on the Bruce Highway between Gympie and Cairns.

Last month, a string of major milestones was marked across the program including the announcement of 52 tenders to open for design and construction packages, and 10 projects getting underway in Central Queensland.

The Wave Stage 1

This stage of the project will deliver 19 kilometres of new dual-track rail between Beerwah and Caloundra, new stations at Aura (Bells Creek) and Caloundra, and upgrades to Beerwah Station.

Two construction contracts as well as a signalling contract were awarded at the end of May 2026. Beerwah Coast Connect and CoastalTraX have been awarded design and pre-construction contracts while Alstom and UGL was awarded the contract to deliver the European Train Conrol System (ETCS) signalling solution.

The entire The Wave development is made up of three major projects – Stage 1 and 2 (Rail), Stage 3 (Metro), and the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade.

Source: Delivering for Queensland – 2026-27 Budget (1, 2)