QLD Government announces State Infrastructure Plan including an initial $500m investment

The first State Infrastructure Plant (SIP) in more than three years was released on Sunday 13 March 2016, outlining the new strategic direction for the planning, investment and delivery of infrastructure in Queensland. It was announced that $500 million will be invested to build the infrastructure needed to support and grow the economy. This new SIP is set to create more than 1,000 jobs for Queenslanders. 

The SIP has been delivered in two parts, Part A: Strategy and Part B: Program. Part A outlines the new approach to infrastructure planning and prioritisation, conveying a clear vision as to how the Government will respond to opportunities and challenges faced by Queensland, into the future. Part B helps establish certainty through the use of a program of investment, mapping out the next four years. Without specifying solutions, the program outlines future opportunities this encouraging innovation and ideas from industries. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk explained that the initial $500 million investment would be used to deliver major projects statewide which will see growth in employment opportunities, productivity and the economy. Of this $500 million, $300 million will be invested into seven road and rail project seen as critical for boosting capacity and reliability. 

These projects include:

• Ipswich Motorway Upgrade, Stage 1 Darra to Rocklea
• Pacific Motorway-Gateway Motorway Merge Upgrade (southbound lanes)
• North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Project
• Dawson Highway (Gladstone – Biloela) timber bridge replacement package
• Rockhampton Road Train Access, Stage 1
• Kawana and Nicklin Way – Sunshine Coast University Hospital intersection upgrades package
• Riverway Drive duplication, Townsville (Gollogly Lane – Allambie Lane)

There is also a large focus on the needs of the community, with a portion of the initial investment targeted at addressing important regional and economic priorities such as jobs for Queenslanders. 

“Through the SIP, we now have an infrastructure blueprint that will meet the future demands of our population and deliver economic growth and jobs for Queenslanders year after year through better infrastructure planning and better decision-making." - Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk

The SIP also covers other key reform measures such as:

• Establishing an Infrastructure Cabinet Committee to drive infrastructure coordination and development
• Establishing an Infrastructure Portfolio Office to coordinate and integrate state government infrastructure, land-use and economic planning
• Developing five new strategic infrastructure network plans for Transport, Water, Energy, Digital and Social infrastructure
• Enhancing the government’s ability to fund and finance infrastructure through a focus on value capture and improving alternative funding and financing options in Queensland
• Reviewing fragmented local government infrastructure grants programs to optimise prioritisation; and
• Establishing a joint industry/government Infrastructure Innovation Taskforce, and a Community Infrastructure Reference Group to provide thought leadership through a prioritised program of work.

The SIP was announced along side the commencement of the Gold Coast rail line's $165 million duplication. Showcasing just one of the major projects being delivered by the Palaszczuk Government in order to attain the goal of driving economic growth and employment opportunities for our growing population. Similarly the Moreton Bay Rail Link, Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2, Commonwealth Games venues, Gateway Upgrade North, Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the Energex augmentation and asset replacement are all contributing to the Government's commitment to catering for the needs of Queenslanders.

With opportunities like these on the horizon make sure your business is prepared and ready to showcase your capabilities in order to win major projects. Prepare your capability statement well in advance, use this preparing a business capability statement eBook as a guide. 

Full statement can be found at http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/3/13/palaszczuk-governments-vision-for-queenslands-infrastructure-released