The Sunshine Coast has been promised billions of dollars in infrastructure, more investment for the hospital, a new primary school and a raft of community projects in the state budget.
Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government said the money would help create 5200 jobs across the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Moreton Bay regions over 2020-21.
The Labor government has been forced to sink further into the red to help dig Queensland out of a COVID-induced economic funk, with debt to hit $130billion.
The list of promises for the Sunshine Coast are many that have already been announced and have been included in the bottom line of this year’s financials.
A promise of $1.607billion for infrastructure and capital works includes improvements to the increasingly congested Caloundra Road and a much anticipated Bells Creek link road announced during the election campaign.
There is also money for public and community infrastructure like Sunshine Coast Stadium, upgrades at schools and sporting clubs, police stations and community centres.
Spending on roads, which are currently undergoing massive upgrades, includes $301.3million to upgrade the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges on the Bruce Highway at Forest Glen, including two-way service roads on both sides of the highway.
The increasingly-congested Caloundra Road will benefit from three projects to “improve
travel times into the Caloundra CBD”. The State Government will fund $45.75 million to fast track construction for:
- A new Third Avenue/Nicklin Way extension
- A signalised intersection at Ridgewood Road
- Acceleration of the remaining 11km of Bells Creek Arterial Road to the Bruce Highway at Roys Road
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the commitment contained in the State Budget to support the Stage 1 expansion of the Sunshine Coast Stadium was welcomed by Council and in line with the commitment sought in the lead-up to the State election in October 2020.
“The only outstanding tranche of funding for this project is now the contribution of $20 million which Council is seeking from the Federal Government,’’ the spokesperson said.
“Two key infrastructure projects on the Sunshine Coast which did not receive any financial commitment in the State budget are the delivery of the Mooloolah River Interchange and funding for the Convention and Exhibition facility.’’
Sunshine Coast Business Council chair, Sandy Zubrinich said that the reality was that infrastructure in Queensland and on the Sunshine Coast had been significantly underfunded for the past five years.
“State government funding has been lagging in regards to upgrading of roads and rail networks, one just needs to be on the Bruce Highway travelling south on a Sunday to experience the impact of this first hand,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“As a priority, we need a fully funded regional transport strategy for the Sunshine Coast.
“Projections indicate that we will have a population of over half a million in the next two decades, however regional migration appears to have been further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is crucial to have a strategy in place to respond to this growth.”
Health on the Sunshine Coast will receive a share of $5.2billion earmarked for the Sunshine Coast, Metro North and West Moreton Hospital and Health Services.
There’s also $88.1million to expand and improve social housing, including $5.2 million Works for Tradies Initiative contributing to Queensland’s economic recovery.
Key projects that rated a mention in the budget highlights were the Sunshine Coast International Cable Project, a new undersea internet cable at Maroochydore, estimated to deliver 860 new jobs and stimulate $927 million for the Queensland economy.
Get more local stories direct to your inbox by joining our free daily news feed: Go to SUBSCRIBE at top of this article
Sunshine Coast spending
- Bruce Highway (Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way): $52.3 million
out of a $662.5 million total spend to widen the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes. Delivered in partnership with the Australian Government. - Sunshine Coast University Hospital $27.4 million out of a $1.939 billion total spend for construction projects to improve facilities.
- Nambour General Hospital: $22.6 million 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.
- Nambour replacement police facility: $4.2 million out of a $8.3 million total spend to
continue the replacement of the police facility at Nambour. - Cyber Security Training Operation Centre: $2 million for a new Cyber Security Training Operation Centre at Mooloolaba TAFE.
- Sunshine Coast Stadium: $5 million in 2020-21 out of a $20 million State contribution
to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council for the Sunshine Coast Stadium (Bokarina Facility),
subject to the Australian Government’s ongoing support. - Caloundra State School: $3.2 million over four years to extend the multi-purpose
hall. - Caloundra Panthers and Little Athletics: $550,000 for upgrades at the Caloundra
Panthers Australian Football Club and Little Athletics. - New primary school in Caloundra South: $26.6 million out of a $68.2 million total
spend to construct a new primary school in Caloundra South. - Conondale National Park: Visitor infrastructure upgrade $100,000 in 2020-21 out
of a $2.8 million total spend to improve visitor access and infrastructure in Conondale National Park. - Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (stage 1):$38.9 million in 2020-21 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. - Beerwah Community Meeting Place: $1.7 million for flexible meeting rooms, an outdoor meeting room and ‘green’ arcade, and small kitchenette.
- Eumundi State School: $4.8 million out of a $7 million total spend to construct a new building with eight general learning spaces.
- Cooroy Hinterland Adventure Playground: $921,968 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 for the enjoyment of the community.
