The Sunshine Coast will see the start of much-needed road and rail projects, a new school and upgrades to existing schools and improvements to both major hospitals as promised in the State Government’s 2021 budget.
The Palaszczuk government’s budget released on Tuesday will also deliver vital funding for social housing, with $38.5 million in 2021-22 to expand and improve availability on the Coast.
The budget sets aside millions to enhance local tourism, with dollars for Australia Zoo’s lagging Camp Croc Hunter, a new ride at Aussie World, fresh fun at the Bellingham Maze and more for national parks.
The Sunshine Coast Stadium has been promised $20 million but that project still relies on a contribution from the Federal Government.
The Sunshine Motorway’s Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Stage 1) will get $4 million in 2021-22 out of a $320 million to improve the dangerous bottleneck in the heart of the Coast.
The Beerburrum-to-Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) has been earmarked $29.4 million in 2021-22 out of a $550.8 million total spend to upgrade sections of the North Coast rail line between Beerburrum train station and Nambour train station.
Mayor Mark Jamieson singled out the Mooloolah River Interchange funding as “the point in time when one of the region’s worst bottlenecks received the attention it desperately needs”.
“This goes to show that when governments work together, great things can be achieved and the beneficiaries are our communities,” he said.
“Anyone who travels in peak hour along the Sunshine Motorway from the Kawana Way interchange to the crossing of the Mooloolah River will tell you the bedlam that takes place each day and that traffic grinds to a standstill.
“This project will help to make this heavily congested part of our road network more accessible, enable it to carry greater capacity as the region continues to grow and provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for users.”
Scroll down for the full list of who’s getting what on the Sunshine Coast
The Coast’s rapidly expanding communities in Aura will benefit from a new school, with $34 million in 2021-22 out of a $61.6 million total spend to construct a new state primary school in Caloundra South.
Recently opened new schools in Palmview and Baringa will also get major injections of money for their next stages.
The state government says Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the Sunshine Coast Health Institute at Kawana are being expanding to meet growing community needs.
Sunshine Coast University Hospital will see $46.1 million in 2021-22 out of a $1.933 billion total spend for construction projects to improve facilities at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital site.
Nambour General Hospital has also been earmarked $31.8 million in 2021-22 out of a $86.2 million total spend to meet the functional requirements of the hospital in its new role as a sub-acute facility.
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Surplus forecast
Meanwhile the Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has denied he is “cooking the books” with a new accounting method to cut debt forecasts.
Mr Dick said better than expected growth would help cut the 2020/21 deficit to $3.8 billion, compared to $8.6 billion forecast.
The 2021/22 budget deficit of $3.4 billion will then be trimmed until there’s a $153 million surplus in 2024/25.
“The four largest governments in Australia – the Commonwealth government, the NSW government, the Victorian government, and the Queensland government – all went into deficit to respond to COVID-19,” Mr Dick said on Tuesday.
“Today, only one of those four governments is returning to surplus – the Palaszczuk Labor government.”
The budget delivers $22.2 billion for health, including $482 million to relieve pressure on capacity and elective surgery waiting lists, in 2021/22.
Another $480 million will be spent on Queensland’s COVID-19 response in the current financial year.
Education has an allocation of $18.3 billion, including about $1.4 billion for 10 new state schools (with one on the Sunshine Coast) and upgrading facilities at existing schools, in 2021/22.
There will be $53 million spent social housing and a $1 billion housing fund from which earnings will be used to pay for housing projects.
Another flagship item is an extra $1.5 billion for the $500 million Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.
Earnings from the $2 billion fund will be used for government-owned firms to set up new renewable or hydrogen projects.
The budget also allocates $100 million for a Business Investment Fund and $320 million over four years to help train for the workforce.
However, capital spending will be cut by $147 million from last year’s $14.835 billion as COVID-19 stimulus is wound back in 2021/22.
Mr Dick said there would be $52.21 billion for capital expenditure over the forward estimates.
WHO’S GETTING WHAT ON THE COAST
ROADS & RAIL
Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Stage 1)
$4 million in 2021-22 out of a $320 million total spend to upgrade the Mooloolah River Interchange, including various connections. Delivered in partnership with Australian government.
Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)
$29.4 million in 2021-22 out of a $550.8 million total spend to upgrade sections of the North Coast rail line between Beerburrum train station and Nambour train station. Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government.
INFRASTUCTURE
Sunshine Coast Stadium
$20 million in 2021-22 as a State contribution to Sunshine Coast Regional Council for delivery of the Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina (subject to matching funding from the
Australian Government).
Sunshine Coast Industrial Park
$6.2 million in 2021-22 out of a $31.2 million total spend for planning and development of Stage 2 of the Sunshine Coast Industrial Park.
Sunshine Coast International Cable Project
Investment provided to the Sunshine Coast Council for the new undersea internet cable at Maroochydore. Delivered in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council.
HEALTH
Nambour General Hospital
$31.8 million in 2021-22 out of a $86.2 million total spend to meet the functional requirements of the hospital in its new role as a sub-acute facility.
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
$46.1 million in 2021-22 out of a $1.933 billion total spend for construction projects to improve facilities at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital site.
TOURISM
Australia Zoo Campground
$4.2 million in 2021-22 out of a $8 million total spend for an extension of Australia Zoo’s operations to include a niche accommodation option enabling night-time experiences at the zoo for guests. Part of the Growing Tourism Infrastructure (2018) program.
Bellingham Maze
$241,500 in 2021-22 out of a $690,000 total spend to innovate and grow a new children’s augmented reality maze and nature-based playground, including observation deck
and infrastructure. Part of the Growing Tourism Infrastructure (2020).
Saltwater Eco Tours
$25,000 in 2021-22 out of a $297,500 total spend to Saltwater Eco Tours which will deliver ecotourism cultural tours and experiences on the Sunshine Coast with a historically significant vessel. Part of the Year of Indigenous Tourism program.
Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project
$1.8 million in 2021-22 out of a $4.5 million total spend to provide a compelling new public foreshore parkland to increase economic and social benefi ts to the community.
Aussie World
$464,795 in 2021-22 out of a $1.2 million total spend for a new roller coaster attraction and supporting infrastructure including carpark extension. Part of the Growing Tourism Infrastructure (2020) program.
SPORT AND RECREATION
Nambour Rugby League Club
$675,000 in 2021-22 out of a $750,000 total spend to upgrade an existing clubhouse incorporating female change rooms, kitchen, training and meeting rooms to support rugby
league at Nambour. Part of the Activate! Queensland program.
Conondale National Park – Booloumba Creek visitor facilities upgrade
$900,000 in 2021-22 out of a $2.8 million total spend for enhanced visitor infrastructure at Booloumba Creek in Conondale National Park. Part of the $10.1 million investment in Ecotourism and World Heritage Areas.
Cooloola Great Walk
$667,000 in 2021-22 out of a $2.2 million total spend to enhance the existing Cooloola Great Walk with eco-accommodation and guided walks, delivered collaboratively by Kabi Kabi People and preferred proponent CABN.
Noosa District Netball Association Court Upgrades
$124,000 in 2021-22 out of a $310,000 total spend to upgrade four netball courts from bitumen to acrylic surfaces to provide safe and compliant courts.
Cooroy Hinterland Adventure Playground
$2 million in 2021-22 out of a $2.8 million total spend to build a playground with nature exploration areas, green space, natural climbing structures, waterplay areas and amenities.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Maleny replacement Queensland Fire and Emergency Services complex
$1.8 million in 2021-22 out of a $3.9 million total spend to continue replacement of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services complex at Maleny.
Caloundra South Ambulance Station
$300,000 in 2021-22 out of a $5.5 million total spend to deliver the new 24/7 ambulance station for Caloundra South to support communities through the delivery of pre-hospital
ambulance responses services.
SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
Buderim Mountain State School
$280,000 in 2021-22 out of a $5 million total spend to deliver a new hall facility
Burnside State High School
$289,000 in 2021-22 out of a $10.7 million total spend to deliver a new performing
arts facility.
Baringa State Secondary College
$9 million in 2021-22 out of a $22.6 million total spend to construct stage 2 of Baringa State Secondary College.
Bli Bli State School
$500,000 in 2021-22 to upgrade an existing amenities block.
Cyber Security Training Operation Centre
$1.9 million in 2021-22 out of a $2 million total spend for a new Cyber Security Training Operation Centre at Mooloolaba TAFE.
Caloundra State School
$1 million in 2021-22 out of a $3.2 million total spend to upgrade the existing hall facility.
New primary school in Caloundra South
$34 million in 2021-22 out of a $61.6 million total spend to construct a new state primary school in Caloundra South.
Chancellor State College
$1.1 million in 2021-22 out of a $8.5 million total spend to deliver a new hall facility.
Coolum State High School
$11.2 million in 2021-22 out of a $18.1 million total spend to construct a new building for
extra learning spaces.
Glenview State School
$5 million in 2021-22 to upgrade the administration building.
Kawana Waters State College
$4.5 million in 2021-22 out of a $6.5 million total spend to construct a new building
for additional learning spaces.
Mooloolaba State School
$6.2 million in 2021-22 out of a $7.4 million total spend to construct a new building for extra learning spaces.
North Arm State School
$5 million in 2021-22 to upgrade the administration building.
Noosa District State High School – Pomona Campus
$714,000 in 2021-22 out of a $6.5 million total spend to deliver a new hall facility.
Palmview State Primary School
$2.4 million in 2021-22 out of a $14.2 million total spend to construct stage 2 of Palmview State Primary School.
Palmview State Special School
$19.5 million in 2021-22 to construct stage 2 of Palmview State Special School.
LEGAL
Court Link enhancement
$638,000 in 2021-22 out of a $2.5 million total spend (for 2019-20 to 22-23 and $675,000 ongoing) to continue the expansion of Court Link to Maroochydore.
Youth Detention Capacity – Short Term Remand Centre
Up to $7.4 million in 2021-22 out of a total spend of up to $16.4 million over five years from 2020-21 for infrastructure and operationalisation of a short term remand centre.
-with AAP
