The Queensland State Government has handed down its first post-natural disaster budget, offering major spending initiatives in health, recovery and education.

 

Health spending included a total of $1.820 billion for health infrastructure across the state, with the State Government outlining the following initiatives:

  • $242 million towards the new $1.4 billion Queensland Children’s Hospital, including $7 million to ensure the new Queensland Children’s Hospital is supported by a world class academic and research centre
  • $245.8 million to continue with the redevelopment of Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Townsville and Rockhampton hospitals, at a total estimated investment of $1.4 billion
  • $145.8 million to continue the development of the Translational Research Institute on the Princess Alexandra Hospital campus biopharmaceuticals and treatments to be discovered, produced, clinically tested and manufactured in one location
  • $435.6 million of $1.76 billion for the new Gold Coast University Hospital, due for completion in 2012
  • $116 million for Oral Health Scheme for free dental services to concession holders
  • $7.4 million a year to expand services to young people with a disability
  • $54.6 million for Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme to offset costs of long distance medical transport costs
  • Construction of four ambulance stations at Coomera, Ningi, North Lakes, and Pinjarra Hills and an investment of $20.4 million to commission 140 new ambulance vehicles
  • $30 million to enhance mental health services, at an estimated total cost of $148.4 million.

 

The Government has also announced a further $900 million in disaster recovery funding, following the spate of natural disasters which has caused an estimated $6 billion in damages across the state, slashing between 1% and 1.5% off the state's GDP.

 

$15 billion in capital works, including $3.52 billion for energy, has also been announced in an attempt to energise the state's wavering construction sector. The investment is estimated to generate 93,000 jobs.

 

Education has also won out in the budget, with a number of spending packages to support the 'Flying Start' initiative that will see year 7 become secondary school.

 

Education initiatives include:

  • $328.2 million over four years and recurrent funding of $293.8 million over five years to start Flying Start initiatives to see year 7 as secondary school as of 2015
  • $146.7 million for School Transport Assistance Scheme
  • $1.4 billion for vocational training through TAFE
  • $80.6 million for training
  • $24.3 million for  children and family centres Doomadgee, Mareeba and Mornington Island in partnership with the Australian Government
  • 300 new teachers and aides
  • $26.2 million for literacy and numeracy initiatives

 

Police and emergency initiatives include:

  • 150 new police officers
  • $54.9 million for construction of new police academy at Wacol
  • $77.5 million for operational police equipment
  • 20 new vehicles and 4 new flood boats to be delivered to State Emergency Service

 

The Government has also announced initiatives in the energy sector, aimed at offsetting the pricing discrepancies between rural and regional customers.

 

Funding includes:

  • $411 million to ensure electricity price equality between regional, rural and metropolitan population centres
  • $32.9 million for solar energy initiatives
  • $60 million to extend the ClimateSmart Home Service to December 2012
  • $75 million to support investment in solar powered energy generation
  • $10.5 million over four years to employ additional Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers and to help manage the national park estate

 

The State Government will invest a $1.8 billion in transport infrastructure that will aim to deliver better public transport and drive forward key transport projects such as the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System and Moreton Bay Rail Link.

 

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said some of the biggest transport projects in the country are now underway in Queensland and this budget would ensure that continues.

 

“The State Government is committed to improving public transport and this funding will help bolster services, ease congestion, help to tackle climate change and deal with our growing population,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

 

“This year’s budget will see a further $175 million invested in the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System and $93.7 million to continue construction of the Northern Busway between Enoggera Creek and Kedron.

 

Major projects include:

  • $175 million to continue the $1.195 billion Gold Coast Rapid Transit System, a light rail project from Southport to Broadbeach, as well as a three kilometre extension;
  • $93.7 million to continue the $731.6 million construction of the Northern Busway between Enoggera Creek and Kedron, extending the existing busway from the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital to Sadlier Street, Kedron;
  • $66.3 million to complete the $465.8 million Stage 2A of the Eastern Busway between South East Busway and Main Avenue, including bus stations at Stones Corner and Langlands Park
  • $28.5 million provided towards upgrading the Northern Busway between Kedron and Bracken Bridge
  • $12 million for early stage works of the Moreton Bay Rail Link – a $1.5 billion project to be jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments and Moreton Bay Regional Council.

 

Ms Palaszczuk said $44 million would be directed to public transport infrastructure improvements acrossSouth East Queensland.

 

“The TransLink upgrade program will improve current bus stations and build additional bus station infrastructure,” she said.

 

Current estimated project costs include:

  • $5.5 million towards Capalaba Park 'n' Ride;
  • $5.0 million towards Maroochydore Bus Station;
  • $4.5 million towards Enoggera Reservoir Park 'n' Ride;
  • $4.0 million towards Logan Central Bus Station;
  • $3.5 million towards North Lakes Bus Station;
  • $3.0 million towards UQ Lakes Bus Station. PTO…

 

“We’re investing $1.2 billion in rail infrastructure to continue building new rail lines to ease congestion in South East Queensland,” she said.

 

Projects include:

  • $459.5 million is provided to continue upgrading rail infrastructure and rollingstock on the Citytrain network, including:
  • $118.3 million to continue construction of the Richlands to Springfield Rail project, building a new dual track rail line from Richlands to a new station at Springfield, along with road upgrades and a new station at Springfield Lakes;
  • $97 million to continue building 40 new three car-carriage passenger trains to deliver service enhancements between the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast
  • $39 million to continue rail capacity upgrades;
  • $27.3 million for the construction of new stabling facilities for additional rollingstock.

 

Ms Palaszczuk said the State Government was committed to improving transport infrastructure for regional communities and would continue to fund much needed upgrades to regional services.

 

The Government also has announced a number of alterations to its household energy saving initiative.

 

State Treasurer Andrew Fraser and Environment Minister Kate Jones said $34.5 million has been invested in this year’s budget,as part of a $60 million extension of the program to December 2012.

 

Under the expanded program, from July 4 households who sign up will receive:

  • a standby power eliminator (NEW)
  • temperature adjustment to hot water systems thermostats to increase efficiency and reduce water heating bills (NEW)
  • a wireless power monitor
  • low-flow shower-rose
  • up to five compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

 

“So far, more than 277,000 Queenslanders (as at 1 June) have made the green switch by signing up to install money-saving ClimateSmart technology and change their energy-wasting habits at home,” Mr Fraser said.

 

“Each ClimateSmart home will now be able to save up to $480 each year on their power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.5 tonnes of a year and – an increase on savings under the current program." Ms Jones said. The service is charged at $50.

 

More information can be found here