RACQ welcomes Qld Government’s record transport spend

Media Release Press Conference Audio

Head of Policy Susan Furze said the $2.2 billion increase on last year’s budget is needed to help reduce the State’s devastating road toll. 

“So far this year 140 lives have been lost on Queensland roads, that’s 14 more than the same time last year,” Ms Furze said. 

“This considerable funding for key road and transport projects will help improve the safety of our roads, improve the capacity of our transport network and help ensure Queenslanders get home to their loved ones safer and sooner.” 

Queensland’s peak motoring body also welcomed the State Government’s cap on vehicle registration and driver licence fees. 

“With the cost of living at an all-time high, capping rego and licence fees at 2.5%, instead of indexing them to Brisbane’s 6% rise in CPI, is the right move,” Ms Furze said. 

RACQ is disappointed to see funding for construction of the Centenary Highway Bridge Duplication delayed once again. 

“The Centenary Highway is under immense pressure, so this is a big setback for motorists in Brisbane’s west and Ipswich.” 

RACQ notes only ‘business-as-usual’ funding for disaster mitigation at a time when Queensland desperately needs much more investment to reduce the risk of growing climate impacts. 

“However, we acknowledge the State Government is paying its share of a ground-breaking $741 million Resilient Homes Fund to incorporate resilience in repairing flood-impacted homes,” Ms Furze said. 

“We look forward to this assistance accelerating so that we can start to see stronger homes out of the flood.” 

RACQ welcomes funding for the following projects:

South east Queensland

• $2.598 billion for Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail
• $2.163 billion for Coomera Connector (Stage 1)
• $2.1 billion for Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway upgrades in northern Brisbane.
• $1.219 million for Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 3)
• $1 billion for Cooroy to Curra Section D
• Continued funding to deliver upgrades on the Pacific Motorway (Varsity Lakes to Tugun, Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill and Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway)

  Other regions

• $320 million for Sunshine Motorway (Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade - Stage 1)
• $359 million for Cairns Ring Road
• $300 million for Cairns Western Arterial Road
• $381 million for Edmonton to Gordonvale duplication
• $230 million for Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5)
• $1 billion for Rockhampton Ring Road
• $1 billion for Inland Freight Corridor
• $350 million for Mackay Port Access (Stage 2 of Mackay Ring Road)

  State-wide

• $1.497 billion for targeted road safety initiatives which includes programs such as the Federal Road Safety Program / Safer Roads Sooner program, High-Risk Roads Program, Mass Action Initiatives and Flashing School Zone Signs
• $268.8 million for Active Transport