The state government has unveiled billions of dollars in infrastructure spending for the Gold Coast, however, most of the big-ticket items are nothing new.
Treasurer David Janetski has handed down his second budget, with a deficit of $8.845 billion for this financial year, which is expected to fall to a deficit of $6.176 next year.
The budget is not expected to return to surplus until 2029-30.
State debt is set to blow out to $162 billion next financial year, soaring to $216 billion in 2029-30.
There was little fanfare in this year’s budget, with no major measures that will have households jumping for joy.
However, the Back to School vouchers for primary school kids are being increased to $150, and the $200 Play On Sports Vouchers will continue.
Kids will also be eligible for free kindy health checks.
The major infrastructure spending on the Gold Coast is largely to continue or complete projects that are already underway. That includes:
- $650 million for Coomera Connector Stage 1
- $651 million for Gold Coast Faster Rail
- $115 million for new train stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac
- $243 million final payment for light rail stage 3.
Despite the fanfare of the government’s transport announcement on Monday, no money has been set aside yet to even plan for it.
However, the Treasurer says that will come at a later date.
There was also no money for Stage 2 of the Coomera Connector, with the state government arguing that is dependant on striking a funding deal with Canberra.
More than $2 billion has been earmarked for new hospitals across the state, including the one planned for Coomera.
A number of Gold Coast schools, sporting clubs and community groups will benefit from funding in this year’s budget.
The city’s film industry will also benefit from $391 million in arts funding across the state.
Education
- Broadbeach State School – $8.518 million for a new administration resource centre
- Coomera State Special School – $11.676 million for general learning and specialist spaces
- Helensvale State School – $338,000 for new outdoor learning area
- Keebra Park State High School – $8.521 million for performing arts building
- Miami State School – $8.5 million for new general learning centre
- Pimpama State Secondary College – $556,000 for electrical upgrade
Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation
- The Settlement and Purlingbrook Falls precincts – $5 million to improve visitor experience within Springbrook National Park
- Currumbin Eco-Parkland – $14 million out of a total of $42.4 million
- Currumbin Wildlife Hospital – $500,000 for hospital research and training precinct out of total spend of $2 million
- Sea World Marine Hospital – $2 million
- Spit – $7.906 million for implementation and delivery of Spit Master Plan
- Gold Coast Waterways Authority – $3.3 million to improve management of, and provide better access to, the Gold Coast Waterways, canals, and
rivers - Hope Harbour Marina Precinct – $900,00 to construct a fit-for-purpose operations base
Health
- $2.206 billion towards new hospitals including at Coomera
- $4 million for new ambulance station at Southport East
- $500,000 to upgrade Pimpama Ambulance Station
- $128.7 million for new medical imaging machines across the state, including one in Southport.
- Lumina (Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct) – to continue $42.4 million development
Community
- $850,000 for new Men’s Shed in Oxenford out of total spend of $1 million
- $350m000 for new Men’s Shed in Labrador out of total spend of $500,000
- $500,000 towards new Maudlsand Cenotaph and enhancing Upper Coomera Cenotaph
- $1.5 million to deliver a larger and more accessible office space for the Gold Coast Community Legal Centre in Southport
Roads & Transport
- $651 million towards Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, at a total estimated cost of $5.75 billion (jointly funded with the Federal Government)
- $243 million towards final payment for Light Rail Stage 3 out of total cost of $1.549 billion (jointly funded with Federal Government and Gold Coast Council)
- $115.5 towards new train stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrmiac out of total cost of $590.6 million.
- $650 million towards Coomera Connector Stage 1 out of total cost of $3.5 billion (jointly funded with Federal Government)
- Gold Coast – Springbrook Rd – $16.562 million to upgrade Austinville Causeway
- Burleigh Connection Rd – $8.191 million to upgrade bus infrastructure
- Lamington National Park Rd Disaster Recovery Funding – $5.72 million
Housing
- $7.9 million to upgrade existing social housing on Gold Coast
- $4.52 to acquire land for further social housing on Gold Coast
Sport & Recreation
- $12.8 million for capital improvements and maintenance of sporting venues including Currumbin Eagles Rugby Club, Helensvale Cricket Club, Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Arts
$391.9 million Arts budget, including support for Queensland’s film industry and festivals and events across Queensland.
