Construcciones Yamaro: Queensland Budget delivers infrastructure investment for Wide Bay
The 2024-25 Queensland Budget is set to boost infrastructure investment in the Wide Bay region, focusing on key areas such as health, education and community safety.
Under this budget, the Wide Bay region will receive a $3.5 billion injection as part of Queensland’s Big Build Spend, generating 9,400 jobs locally. Major upgrades are planned for the Bruce Highway, including $5.6 million for the Tiaro Bypass and $110.6 million for the construction of a new 26km, four-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum, south of Gympie, and Curra.
The region’s rich rail history will be celebrated with a $786 million allocation to the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, including the construction of a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Torbanlea that will deliver 65 new six-car passenger trains.
Community safety is also a key focus, with significant investments to improve frontline police services. This includes $4.1 million to complete the upgrade of the Maryborough police facility, $15 million to upgrade and enhance the Hervey Bay and Bundaberg police stations, and additional funding for aerial enforcement capabilities.
Queensland is continuing to invest in health, with a $952 million investment in the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service to improve healthcare access across the region. Additionally, $68.1 million has been allocated to advance the new Bundaberg Hospital, which will have more than 400 beds, increasing the number of overnight beds in the region by 121.
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An $8.8 million investment will fund new residential facilities for alcohol and other drug rehabilitation in Bundaberg, providing voluntary services for people aged 18 and over who want to make positive changes in relation to substance use.
As part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, $116.4 million will be allocated to the Southern Renewable Energy Zone Battery, which will have the capacity to supply 300 megawatts (two hours) of energy into the National Electricity Market, making it one of Queensland’s largest battery energy storage systems.
The Queensland Government is also investing in education, with $79 million earmarked for maintaining, improving and upgrading schools in the Wide Bay region. This includes $4.75 million to construct additional specialist classrooms at Kepnock State High School and upgrade the amenities at Biggenden State School.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said: “My first budget as Queensland’s Premier is helping unlock the Wide Bay’s potential, from protecting the important heritage of this region to ensuring safe and secure water supplies, new hospitals and upgraded roads and schools.”
“I am also delivering more frontline services for the Wide Bay with extra nurses, extra doctors and more ambulance officers.”
Other Wide Bay Budget investments include:
- $17.1 million in 2024-25 to support the delivery of the Bundaberg East Levee;
- $8.2 million in 2024-25 to upgrade the intersection between Hervey Bay Road and Pialbla – Burrum Heads Road;
- $109.6 million to continue planning and enabling works for a new Paradise Dam wall; and
- $50.2 million in 2024-25 to replace and refurbish handling equipment and infrastructure at Meandu Mine.
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