Infrastructure

Queensland has lead all other states in infrastructure spending since the 2005-2006 state budget with the latest 2009-2010 state budget being no exception to this. Over the past five years Queensland has invested over A$41.8 billion in infrastructure with the most recent budget commitment of A$18.2 billion. The Queensland Government is continuously upgrading hard infrastructure (transport, energy and water) while also supporting soft infrastructure development (telecommunications, innovation, research and development), the key to growing a knowledge-based economy.

The Queensland Government's A$107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan includes over 230 infrastructure developments or upgrade projects to be completed over the next two decades. Projects include:

• A$83.5 billion in road, rail and public transport  
• A$8 billion in water
• A$3.5 billion in energy networks
• A$12 billion in social and community infrastructure.

Regional development is also at the heart of Queensland's economic future. The State Government is continuing to lay the foundations for future economic growth and prosperity for all Queenslanders by responding to the growth needs of regional Queensland.

The Queensland Government remains committed to delivering key infrastructure and rural economic development initiatives to ensure regional Queensland remains sustainable, livable and prosperous. For more information, view the Queensland Government's South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009 - 2031.

Road infrastructure

• In 2009-10 the Queensland Government will be providing A$7.3 billion for transport and main roads. This will be invested in a variety of infrastructure initiatives in both South East Queensland and regional Queensland.

Air infrastructure

• Queensland has four international airports located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Cairns and Townsville with daily services to many destinations. Rockhampton Airport is also an international airport for the mining sector and defence training activities.
• Major regional airports include Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, Maroochydore, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Bundaberg and Kingaroy.
• Brisbane is a major hub for international air services, with over 200 international flights departing to an increasing list of destinations every week.
• The Brisbane Airport:
• is the fastest growing capital city airport in Australia, with annual passenger numbers expected to reach more than 25.6 million by 2015 and around 50 million by 2035
• offers passengers direct connections to 26 international and 39 domestic destinations
• is one of only two airports in Australia that are curfew-free, operating 24 hours a day.
• The Brisbane Airport Corporation has received approval from the Australian Government to build a new parallel runway, to be operational by 2015.

Sea infrastructure

• Queensland's ports are administered by seven port authorities that provide a broad range of facilities that cater for the diverse land/sea interface requirements for their trade catchment areas.
• Queensland has 18 trading ports and two commodity ports.
• Over 400,000 shipping containers pass through the State's largest trading port, the Port of Brisbane, annually.

Electronic infrastructure

• Access to advanced, state-of-the-art information technology and communications infrastructure is fast becoming a defining factor for the success of Queensland businesses and industry in the global marketplace.
• The Queensland Government is committed to encouraging the delivery of world-class telecommunications services to the people of Queensland as part of achieving its Smart State agenda. Facilitating projects include:
• Project en@ble - an initiative that will reduce barriers to the roll out of telecommunications infrastructure in Queensland
• Project Vista - an initiative that will facilitate private sector provision of an ultra high speed, open access broadband network within the Brisbane local government area.

Power infrastructure

• Over 200,000 kilometres of electricity transmission lines connect the State's electricity network.
• Powerlink, a Government owned corporation, has approximately A$300 million in major transmission projects underway in Queensland and it is forecast that an additional A$1.4 billion will be spent in the State over the next six years.

For more information on Queensland's infrastructure capabilities, visit the Department of Infrastructure and Planning or contact us.