State Infrastructure Strategy Progress Report 2024

Sets out the state government’s cross-sectoral priorities to improve the overall performance of its infrastructure program and existing assets. It considers key themes common to the lifecycle of infrastructure development as well as the links and interdependencies between the different infrastructure classes, land-use planning and industry development.

We’ve progressed 34 cross-government infrastructure priority actions. Achievements include:

• release of the Infrastructure Productivity and Workforce Roadmap and Action Plan to help shift the dial on the sector’s capacity, diversity and productivity
• publication of the Common User Infrastructure Framework, helping asset owners and users to share facilities, improving usage and community benefits while managing costs
• delivery of four Regional Infrastructure Plans and supplements for Far North Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett, South East Queensland and Central and Western Queensland
• completion of phase 1 of the SEQ Infrastructure Baseline as a part of progressing a data-driven approach to infrastructure planning, with key data to be included in an SEQ Digital Twin being investigated
• release of four Regional Transformation Strategies to help regions capitalise on their strengths to diversify and decarbonise their economies
• the Model for Urban Land Use and Transport Interaction, which is improving data-driven integrated land use and transport planning.

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected and competitive as innovation and technology transforms traditional business models and how we access goods and services. Queensland needs to keep pace with global change by driving innovation alongside faster, more reliable digital infrastructure.

We have progressed 14 digital and innovation infrastructure priority actions. We’re helping drive the digital transformation of our infrastructure program and supporting digital connectivity including:

• driving Queensland’s digital by default approach through Building Information Modelling, including an assessment of government maturity and reviewed performance of the existing policy
• the Queensland Government, carriers and the Australian Government are co-investing to make substantial connectivity improvements targeting First Nations and regional and remote communities
• progressing the SEQ Digital Twin investigation. Work has commenced on a proof of concept and a program implementation plan
• release of the Queensland Innovation Precincts and Places Strategy 2022-2032, including $15 million in new funding to support government, industry and the community working together to grow and develop Queensland’s innovation places
• supporting communities, business and industry to embrace innovation through the $200 million Digital Economy Strategy – Our Thriving Digital Future: Queensland’s Digital Economy Strategy and 2023-26 Action Plan.

How we move, and how efficiently we can do it, is key to ensuring productivity, sustainability and quality of life. Queensland’s transport network is vast and supports expansive regions and cities. Maintaining our transport infrastructure assets is a challenge, particularly given its scale and diversity, along with increasing user demands and disruptive weather impacts across the state. Investing in the maintenance of our existing transport infrastructure is essential, not only to provide safe and efficient travel today, but to ensure future economic sustainability.

Twenty-four transport priority actions are now underway to support Queensland’s transport network. Highlights include:

• delivering the Queensland Electric Super Highway Phase 3, providing 23 new sites in Western Queensland, increasing the network to 54 fast-charging locations
• release of the 10-year Inland Freight Investment Strategy with early works announced for Queensland’s Inland Freight Route to help connect manufacturers and business with their customers
• delivery of a new $21.9 million multi-use conveyor at Port of Bundaberg by Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited
• investing $14 billion to add 57 km of new track, connecting the SEQ spine from the Gold Coast to Caloundra, including Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, Cross River Rail, and the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail to Caloundra
• investing $315 million over the next four years to expand cycling and walking paths throughout Queensland.

Secure, reliable and affordable energy is vital to our communities and businesses. It underpins our economy and quality of life, with exciting new technologies including hydrogen production paving the way for a sustainable future and creating more jobs in more industries.

Sixteen energy infrastructure priority actions are progressing as Queensland creates cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy. Highlights include:

• release of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in 2022, outlining our pathway to a clean, reliable and affordable energy system
• passing of the Queensland’s Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024, legislating three renewable energy targets: 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035
• release of the  $4.5 billion Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, enabling energy government-owned corporations to partner with the private sector to develop both domestic and large-scale export project
• release of the Northern Queensland Renewable Energy Zones Roadmap, identifying three potential REZs for readiness assessments.

Queensland’s water resources are precious and must be efficiently managed to meet the needs of our growing population and industry demand, while ensuring the sustainability of our water resources in times of drought and into the future.

Since releasing the strategy, we’ve progressed 15 water infrastructure priority actions, including:

• developing a Strategic Water Infrastructure Plan and pipeline of projects that will identify, assess and prioritise water infrastructure projects across Queensland for the next 10-15 years, complimenting the Queensland Water Strategy
• continuing delivery of the Seqwater Dam Improvement Program, investing in our region's dams to ensure ongoing safety and water security for years to come. The Program includes upgrades to Lake Macdonald Dam and early works at North Pine and Somerset dams
• progressing delivery of five actions set out in the Queensland Water Market Optimisation Action Plan, including:
  • enabling access to more water data for water users and water investors
  • collecting and releasing water trade price information, supporting the development of water bulletin boards to enable matching of willing buyers and sellers
  • exploring the use of interactive digital platform for water users and water investors to access water market data and information.
• investment of $195 million to strengthen water security in Cairns including the upgrade to the Freshwater Creek Water Treatment Plant
• release of the Seqwater’s Water Security Program 2023, a 30-year plan to maintain high levels of water security for South East Queenslanders.

Queensland has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic and is continuing to progress the 18 health priority actions from the strategy.

On many key measures, Queensland’s health system ranks among the best in Australia and the world.

The government is working to respond to increasing health system demands and providing more equitable access to high-quality healthcare. Achievements include:

• progressing of the $14 billion Queensland Health Big Build to deliver health infrastructure projects, programs and initiatives, relieving pressure on the public health system
• delivering the Queensland Health Capacity Expansion Program, providing 2,200 additional beds between 2024 and 2028 and creating more than 22,000 construction jobs. The program includes the Cairns health and innovation precinct and Cairns Hospital Expansion, a $1.436 billion investment, delivering an additional 96 beds
• delivered seven new Satellite Hospitals that can support an additional 45,000 outpatient appointments
• investment of more than $1 billion in the Building Rural and Remote Health Program to support healthcare delivery in regional areas with a focus on aged infrastructure
• progressing delivery of the Queensland Cancer Centre, providing 150-specialist beds and delivering new and innovative cancer treatments.

Our education and training system enhances quality of life by giving children a great start and shaping the skills of the future to drive ongoing prosperity. The government is committed to ensuring all Queenslanders have access to modern, high-quality early-childhood education and care, and education and training facilities, no matter where they live.

Since releasing the strategy, we’ve progressed many of the 17 education and training infrastructure priority actions. Highlights include:

• delivering the Building Future Schools Program to build, maintain, improve and renew schools across Queensland
• delivering a new building at Bohle TAFE targeting 5-star Greenstar "Green Buildings" rating, and a minimum 4-star Greenstar ratings for new buildings from the Equipping TAFE for our Future program
• release of the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024-2028, helping providing pathways and priority skills in tradition and emerging industries
• investing $187 million to boost the Internet bandwidth in all Queensland state schools
• roll out of 13 more school upgrades under the State Delivered Kindergarten programs, providing more access to kindergarten programs.

The safety and wellbeing of Queenslanders is a fundamental priority. We invest in essential police, fire, emergency and disaster-management services, courthouses, and secure youth-detention centres and correctional facilities to ensure safety and justice is delivered fairly.

Thirteen justice and public safety infrastructure priority actions are progressing since the release of the strategy. Highlights include:

• providing $49.1 million to deliver improvements to Domestic and Family Violence facilities at Brisbane, Cairns, Caboolture, Ipswich, Mackay, Maroochydore, Rockhampton and Toowoomba. Construction is now complete at Caboolture and Ipswich
• roll out of the Frontline Activation Support Tool for Queensland (FAST Qld) to 40 brigades, improving how personnel are notified and mobilised for incidents
• opening of the $29.9 million Caloundra South  Emergency Services precinct, co-locating a new fire station, ambulance station and police station to support the growing Caloundra south community
• commenced construction of the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, which is nearing completion, delivering more than 1500 beds and employing more than 800 staff, and the new Wacol Youth Remand Centre, which will include 76 beds reducing the number of young people in watchhouses
• progressing two new youth detention centres in Woodford and Cairns to add 120 beds to the state’s youth detention capacity.

Arts, culture, sport, recreation and tourism are crucially important contributors to the community. They bring people together and provide opportunities to enjoy the great range of experiences Queensland offers.

We have progressed many of the 21 arts, culture, recreation and tourism infrastructure priority actions. Highlights include:

• announcement of Brisbane 2032 Sunshine Coast Venues with procurement underway for the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade and Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre and an investment decision for the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre
• release of Towards Tourism 2032, supporting the growth of Queensland’s economy via good jobs, better services and great lifestyle
• implementing the Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030, a 10-year plan for supporting growth, adding more than 650,000 hectares to Queensland’s protected area system
• delivery of the pilot Tracks and Trails program to explore more of Queensland on foot or mountain bike, including the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail, Cardwell Tropical Mountain Bike Trail, 127 km trail from Paluma to Wallaman Falls and feasibility studies for Daisy Hill koala conservation trails and Atherton trails
• constructing Queensland’s New Performing Arts Venue, a 1500-seat theatre within the Queensland Performing Arts Centre to help welcome an addition 300,000 visitors a year across the five venue spaces
• enabling First Nations Tourism boost through $6 million in funding going towards 25 enriching First Nations tourism experiences.

Social and affordable housing is an important part of our communities, as it provides safe and secure homes for many Queenslanders. The pandemic has had wide-ranging impacts on the way we live and work, impacting housing demand, supply and affordability. Demand for housing rapidly increased due to a range of influences, including population growth, record-low interest rates, fiscal stimulus and shifts in preferences, driving higher property and private rental prices.

The 10 social and affordable housing infrastructure priority actions are progressing, with achievements including:

• release of the $3.1 billion Homes for Queenslander Plan, helping build more homes faster and boosting affordable and social housing. It’s also helping deliver 1200 social homes for First Nation families
• release of ShapingSEQ, the Queensland Government’s plan to shape South East Queensland’s future growth, enhancing the region’s communities now and into the future and helping plan for 900,000 new homes and almost 1 million jobs
• $350 million fund to incentivise infill development to support the delivery of new housing in locations close to public transports, amenities and jobs
• delivering the $61.3 million Our Place Action Plan, accelerating First Nations housing outcomes over the next four years, co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland
• delivering the Build-to-Rent scheme, which offers 50% discount on land tax, exemption of the 2% foreign investors land tax surcharge and full exemption from the Additional Foreign Acquirer Duty for the future transfer
• approval of three Brisbane-based affordable housing projects as part of the Build-to-Rent Pilot Project, which will offer approximately 1200 rental apartments, including up to 490 dwellings to be provided at a discounted rent rate.