Queensland’s Big Build
Addressing the record increase in the population and driving diversification of the Queensland economy requires continued investments in critical social and economic infrastructure.
The Queensland Government’s transformational Big Build is continuing to deliver the infrastructure needed to support our growing state; it will create new industries, more jobs, better communities and stronger regions.
Priorities include decarbonising Queensland’s energy system, expanding health capacity, and getting ready for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games.
The 4-year capital program is now a record $107.262 billion.
In 2024–25, the government’s $27.1 billion capital program will directly support around 72,000 jobs across the state, with 50,000, or 69 per cent, of these jobs located outside of the Greater Brisbane region.
Over the 13 years to 2027–28, the government will have supported over $225 billion in infrastructure works.
Find out more about Queensland’s Big Build.
Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan
The Queensland Government is powering ahead with energy transformation while driving emissions reduction across the sector and broader Queensland economy.
Released in 2022, the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP) charts an infrastructure investment pathway to 2035 to deliver clean, reliable and affordable power.
Through the QEJP, Queensland’s energy government–owned corporations have a leading role in the state’s energy transformation – to build, own, and operate new renewable energy and storage while partnering with the private sector to deliver clean and reliable energy to customers across Queensland.
Building on the momentum of the last budget, the 2024–25 Budget includes a landmark capital investment of around $26 billion over 4 years to deliver the QEJP. This includes new publicly-owned investments, including:
- $16.5 billion for renewable energy and storage projects
- $8.5 billion for transmission infrastructure, including CopperString 2032, SuperGrid and Renewable Energy Zone transmission works
- $500 million for distribution network storage, including Energy Queensland’s Local Network Battery Plan and Local Renewable Energy Zone Pilot Projects
- $192 million for Powerlink to develop Transmission and Training Hubs in Townsville and Gladstone.
These projects are supported by coal royalties set aside in the 2023–24 Budget and the $4.5 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.
During the energy transformation, the Government is ensuring energy workers at existing publicly-owned coal fired power stations and associated coal mines have access to new jobs and training or financial assistance through the $150 million Job Security Guarantee Fund. This framework will complement the conversion of publicly owned power station sites into clean energy hubs by 2035.
Supporting the regions
This Budget will invest $18.568 billion in capital projects outside of the Greater Brisbane region in 2024–25, supporting around 50,000 jobs.
The $1.1 billion Works for Queensland program will continue to support local governments outside South East Queensland by funding job-creating maintenance and minor infrastructure projects relating to assets owned or controlled by local governments.
In 2024–25, $124.5 million will be delivered towards Works for Queensland projects.
Queensland’s regions have experienced a significant number of natural disasters in recent years, including devastating floods and cyclones. The Queensland Government is not only supporting communities with their recovery, but also investing to reduce the impacts of future events.
The 2024–25 Budget is allocating $100 million over 3 years from the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements Efficiencies, jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments, to support a suite of high priority disaster resilience and mitigation infrastructure and non-infrastructure programs and projects.
As well as the QEJP, key projects in rural and regional Queensland include delivery of health facilities under the Building Rural and Remote Health Program, building new regional school facilities, Domestic and Family Violence Courthouse improvements, replacement of the Bowen Wharf, raising and improving Burdekin Falls Dam, delivery of the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline project, and construction of the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline.
Critical Transport Infrastructure
The strong growth in Queensland’s population and the geographical size and vastness of Queensland means that a strong transport network is vital to connect and support our communities and industries.
Key regional transport projects supported by the 2024–25 Budget include:
- The construction of a new 37.8 kilometre Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line between Beerwah and Maroochydore, the longest spur line ever delivered in South East Queensland. Stage 1 will be a 19-kilometre dual track connecting Beerwah to Caloundra. At a total commitment of $5.5 billion (split 50:50 with the Australian Government), construction is expected to commence in 2026, and delivered by 2032. Future stages will connect Caloundra with Birtinya and Maroochydore.
- Construction of the Coomera Connector (Stage 1), Coomera to Nerang will reduce pressure on the M1 by providing an alternative route for the growing communities and commercial hubs of Helensvale and Coomera. At a total cost of $3.026 billion (jointly funded with the Australian Government), the 16-kilometre Stage 1 is expected to progressively open to traffic in late 2025.
- The ongoing Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, which includes total budgets of $1.730 billion to construct the Rockhampton Ring Road, $1.162 billion to construct Cooroy to Curra (Section D), $948 million for the upgrade between the Gateway Motorway and Dohles Rocks Road (Stage 1), and $336 million towards a bypass of Tiaro to increase the flood immunity, safety and efficiency of the Bruce Highway.
- Construction of Stage 3 of the Gold Coast Light Rail, from Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads, will connect to the existing Gold Coast Light Rail, providing 8 additional stations, at a total estimated cost of $1.219 billion (jointly funding with the Australian Government and Gold Coast City Council).
- Committing $5.75 billion (split 50:50 with the Australian Government) for the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (Kuraby to Beenleigh) upgrade, with a plan to increase the number of tracks between Kuraby and Beenleigh from 2 to 4 tracks, with modernised rail systems, station upgrades and level crossing removals along this 20 kilometre corridor.
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) is a 4–year program, released annually, outlining current and planning investments in transport infrastructure. QTRIP spans road, rail, bus, cycling and marine infrastructure on freight, commuter and recreational networks. The program of works detailed in QTRIP represents a $37.4 billion investment over the 4 years from 2024–25 to 2027–28.
Further details on QTRIP are available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au by searching for QTRIP.
BRISBANE 2032 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
The 2024–25 Budget includes funding to continue to support preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032).
The Queensland Government is providing an additional $62 million over 4 years from 2024–25 and $14 million per annum ongoing to 2032–33 for the preparation of additional Project Validation Reports and establishment costs for the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, to be transferred to the Authority once established.
Funding contributions have been agreed between the Queensland and Australian governments for the jointly funded $7.1 billion venues infrastructure program to support the hosting of Brisbane 2032.
The allocation of funding for specific venues projects is subject to government investment decisions following completion of project assessment activities.
Brisbane 2032 Infrastructure
The 2024–25 Queensland Budget provides for total capital expenditure for Brisbane 2032 venues infrastructure of $7.1 billion over 9 years to 2032–33.
Consistent with the government’s response to the Sport Venue Review, the venues infrastructure program comprises the Brisbane Arena ($2.5 billion), upgrades to the Queensland State Athletics Centre and refurbishment of the Gabba Stadium and Suncorp Stadium ($2.7 billion), and 15 new or upgraded venues under the Minor Venues Program ($1.9 billion).
Of this, total funding of $560 million is allocated for minor venues works now in procurement – Chandler Indoor Sports Centre, Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Sunshine Coast Indoor Sport Centre, Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre, and Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Total forecast expenditure for the venues’ infrastructure program over 4 years to 2027–28 is $3.247 billion.
