Today Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick handed down the 2021/22 State Budget with a focus on continued COVID-19 economic recovery by boosting health services and job creation through $52.21 billion worth of infrastructure investment over the next four years, of which $913 million will be spent in Townsville.
Although the deficit from the 2020/2021 financial year continues into this year’s budget, it's encouraging that COVID-19 economic recovery has occurred at a rate of 3.25% due to increased revenue.
It's particularly pleasing that this Budget includes initial down-payments for six of the ten outstanding election promises included in our Unlock the North platform. Townsville Enterprise strongly advocated for those projects in lead up to the last election and for the government to signal progress on those commitments as part of this budget.
We welcome the government for ensuring these commitments have turned from promise to some cash progress and we look forward to seeing boots on the ground as soon as possible and those commitments fulfilled between now and the balance of the current government. This includes expenditures slated toward the Advanced Manufacturing Hub, upgrades to Townsville Hospital and Kirwan Health Campus, Magnetic Island Walking Trails, Townsville Sailing Club, and supporting Glencore's operations.
We also welcome the focus on our neighbouring regions, particularly Burdekin and Hinchinbook, with budget allocations towards key infrastructure upgrades across these communities. Additionally the $10 million aviation funding is encouraging to assist rebuilding our connectivity for tourism and business.
For us, the work is only just beginning, and we have a firm focus on leveraging the full extent of the Premier's $1.5 billion renewables and hydrogen jobs fund. We understand regional Queensland is earmarked to play a major role in the government's hydrogen plan and we know Townsville has the capacity to deliver on that.
The government's investment and focus on the creation of the Resource Industry Development plan is also complimentary to this vision. Right on our doorstep is the North West Minerals Province, home to $720 billion in untapped minerals many of which will be required as the world transitions to decarbonised economy. If we are to be global leaders in the production of critical minerals and renewable energy, a continued focus on investment in common user infrastructure is essential.
The ongoing engagement with our three local Labor representatives is critical in ensuring the North remains front of mind in Brisbane, and we will continue to work closely with them and all our elected officials on this advocacy. We will continue to review the fine print around a range of other budget measures and the impacts on local jobs, local business and the community in our region.
Summary of key 2021/22 State Budget announcements:
- A Budget deficit of $3.485 billion is expected for 2021-22 and the Treasurer is projecting a return to surplus ($153 million) in 2024-25.
- $105.9 billion worth of total debt in 2021-22, increasing to $115.7 billion in 2022-23 and $127 billion by 2024-25.
- Revenue estimated to be $63.66 billion in 2021-22 – up from $60.39 billion in 2020-21.
- The unemployment rate is forecast to be 5.75 per cent for 2021-22, before reducing to 5.5 per cent in 2022-23.
INFRASTRUCTURE
$52.21 billion in capital works infrastructure, of which $913 million will be invested in Townsville over four years. $14.68 billion capital program for 2021-22, with 61 per cent to be spent outside of Greater Brisbane, including:
- $500M Inland Freight Route, Charters Towers to Mungindi towards an inland highway by upgrading existing roads and bridges from the NSW border to Charters Towers via Roma. Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
- $65.3 million in 2021-22 to continue the $232 million channel capacity upgrade project, which involves capital dredging and reclamation works to widen the channel for access by larger vessels. Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
- $10.7 million in 2021-22 out of a $25 million total spend to widen pavement on sections between Marble Creek and Christmas Creek on the Gregory Developmental Road (Charters Towers). Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government
- $4.9 million in 2021-22 out of a $7 million total spend to upgrade Magnetic Island roads between Alma Bay and Horseshoe Bay and explore options to overhaul the drainage systems.
Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5) $65 million in 2021-22 out of a $230 million total spend to duplicate a section of the Townsville Ring Road to four lanes. Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government. - $40.1 million in 2021-22 out of a $514.3 million total spend to construct bridges and upgrade intersections on the Bruce Highway at Giru Horseshoe Lagoon to Palm Creek (Haughton River Floodplain upgrade). Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
- Townsville Regional Industrial Estate - $200,000 in 2021-22 out of a $8.1 million total spend for the development of future industrial land at Bohle Plains in Townsville.
ENERGY, HYDROGEN, MANUFACTURING
- Additional $1.5 billion towards ‘Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund’
- $1.7 million in 2021-22 out of a $3.6 million total spend for a new Advanced Manufacturing Skills Lab at Bohle TAFE.
- $37 million in 2021-22 towards the Kidston Hydro 275kV Transmission Network Connection, as part of the Government’s $147 million funding support to connect the 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project to the National Electricity Market.
RESOURCES
- Support for the ongoing operation for three years of the Glencore copper smelter in Mount Isa.
TOURISM
- $1.6 million in 2021-22 out of a $3.1 million total spend to upgrade the Magnetic Island National Park visitor trails network. Part of the COVID-19 World and National Heritage Program, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
- $10 million over two years over to start rebuilding aviation connectivity
- $71 million towards Queensland screen industry - Including $4 million over four years for a new North Queensland Regional Program, to grow screen opportunities in the north.
- $41.3 million for new racing infrastructure funded by a 35% cut from Queensland's point of consumption tax.
- Girringun National Park - Wallaman Falls visitor facilities upgrade $600,000 in 2021-22 out of a $2 million total spend to upgrade visitor infrastructure at Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park.
- Museum of Underwater Art - Stage 3 (Magnetic Island) $800,000 in 2021-22 out of a $2 million total spend to create and install a series of storytelling sculptures submerged in the waters off Magnetic Island.
- $29.3 million over the next two years to support preparations for a future Olympics should Queensland secure the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
ENIVIRONMENT
- $270 million Reef Water Quality Improvement programs towards protecting the Great Barrier Reef
- Additional $60 million for the Australian Land Restoration Fund
EDUCATION & TRAINING
- Further $360 million 'Skilling Queenslanders for Work' program and $140 million Back to Work Program.
- $37.3 million to maintain, improve and upgrade schools in Townsville.
HOUSING
- $1.9 billion towards social housing supply over four years.
HEALTH
$22.2 billion investment towards recruiting frontline staff, building health infrastructure, reducing emergency and surgical wait times, and establishing Hospital Building Fund to assist in meeting growth pressures across the health system. $1.1 billion of this investment is towards Townsville hospital and health services, including:
- $17.8 million in 2021-22 out of a $54.4 million total spend for construction projects including the expansion of Outpatients Department, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
- $150,000 in 2021-22 out of a $40 million total spend for an expansion of Kirwan Health Campus to provide midwifery community clinics, upgraded dental services, the existing carpark and ICT to support telehealth.
AGRICULTURE & WATER
- $195 million for the Haughton Duplication Pipeline Stage 2, including $85 million in 2021-22, to construct a water pipeline from the Burdekin River near Tom Fenwick Pump Station, connecting with earlier stages of the Haughton Pipeline.
- $70 million over three years towards improved water supply and security in regional Queensland through the 'Building our Regions Program'.
COST OF LIVING
- $6.1 billion in 2021-22 for energy, water and transport concessions and rebates for seniors, veterans and low-income families.
OTHER
- $4 million in 2021-22 for Townsville Sailing Club to purchase the land it currently occupies and support initial development plans for a water sports hub at the Mariners Drive site.
Click HERE for more information on today's 2021/22 State Budget
