QUEENSLAND 2015-16 STATE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS EFFECTING THE TURF INDUSTRY

Infrastructure & Capital Grants include:

Major projects in procurement

• Toowoomba Second Range Crossing
• Gateway Upgrade North
• Queen’s Wharf Brisbane
• Herston Quarter Redevelopment

Major projects in planning

• Townsville Stadium
• Sunshine Coast Rail Upgrade
• Brisbane Inner City Rail
• Hann Highway Upgrade
• Nullinga Dam
• Train Control System Upgrade
• Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor
• Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2
• Integrated Resort Developments

Support for Rural and Regional Queensland

Queensland is the nation’s most decentralised state and experiences extreme weather events. This Government is focused on supporting families, creating jobs and fostering economic development in rural and regional areas.

This Budget will support communities affected by drought, as well as focus on funding critical infrastructure, such as transport, roads and flood mitigation projects.

Townsville Schools

$90 million over four years from 2015-16 for the construction of a new primary school in north-west Townsville and master planning works for a new high school in Townsville. This funding is a part of the $500 million State-wide Schools and Hospitals Fund.

Building our Regions-Regional Infrastructure Fund

$200 million over two years for critical infrastructure projects in regional Queensland. Funding will be targeted to meet the specific needs of communities and support economic development.

Western Roads Upgrade Program

$40 million of internal funding over two years to deliver works on the state-controlled road network in western Queensland. The program will provide targeted road network upgrades focusing on road widening and sealing, within western Queensland local government areas.

Regional Transport Boost

A $24 million program over two years to support jobs, foster economic development and improve liveability in regional communities.

Cyclone Marcia Special Assistance

$40 million over two years as a special assistance package following Tropical Cyclone Marcia for iconic projects in Rockhampton and Livingstone shires, including revitalisation of the riverfront in Rockhampton and the Yeppoon foreshore.

Drought Relief Package

$48.4 million over four years, in addition to internal funding of $3.7 million over three years, to provide drought assistance including freight subsidies and emergency water infrastructure rebates to support producers and communities that have been affected by drought conditions across the state.

Western Roads Upgrade Program

$40 million of internal funding over two years to deliver works on the state-controlled road network in western Queensland. The program will provide targeted road network upgrades focusing on road widening and sealing, within western Queensland local government areas.

Regional Transport Boost

A $24 million program over two years to support jobs, foster economic development and improve liveability in regional communities.

Cyclone Marcia Special Assistance

$40 million over two years as a special assistance package following Tropical Cyclone Marcia for iconic projects in Rockhampton and Livingstone shires, including revitalisation of the riverfront in Rockhampton and the Yeppoon foreshore.

Drought Relief Package

$48.4 million over four years, in addition to internal funding of $3.7 million over three years, to provide drought assistance including freight subsidies and emergency water infrastructure rebates to support producers and communities that have been affected by drought conditions across the state.

A phase out of sand mining on North Stradbroke Island

$20 million over five years to develop the North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy.

NatureAssist

$5 million in 2015-16 to continue the NatureAssist program to secure nature refuges for lands of significant conservation and high climate change value on leasehold and freehold land. These covenants, known as Nature Refuges, are established through voluntary negotiation between landholders and the Government.

Climate change adaptation

$15 million over three years for climate change adaptation. This includes $12 million over three years for the establishment of the Local Government Coastal Hazard Climate Adaptation Fund, and $3 million over three years to support the development and implementation of a new Queensland Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

Restoring Tourism

Restoration of funding to tourism

The Government is committed to delivering funding certainty to Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and restoring its base funding by providing an additional $128.3 million over four years. A revitalised TEQ, working together with industry and Government, will play a vital role in driving tourism growth in Queensland.

Previous TEQ budget
$ million

New TEQ budget
$ million

131,000 direct employees

The Queensland Tourism industry accounts for 3.5% of the state’s economic output and employs 131,000 people directly. Our unique blend of flora, fauna and climate combines to make Queensland an attractive destination for overseas tourists. Queensland’s proximity to a rapidly developing Asia makes tourism in this state a strong growth market.

Attracting Aviation Boost

$10 million over three years for the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) will be used to promote Queensland tourism destinations to targeted international markets and attract new flights direct to Queensland. The AAIF funding will boost the tourism industry by attracting more international aviation routes and international visitors to Queensland.

Grow and Promote Events for Queensland

$40 million over four years to assist Tourism and Events Queensland to grow and promote events for Queensland. The increased funding will provide an environment that allows new and exciting events to become established and expands tourism product offerings.

Commonwealth Games

The Government will deliver a successful and memorable Commonwealth Games in 2018. In addition to the delivery of the Games, the Government is working with Tourism and Events Queensland and the tourism industry to take full advantage of  the economic and cultural  opportunities arising from the staging of the Games to maximise the economic benefits for tourism across Queensland.

For further information click here: http://www.budget.qld.gov.au/