Queensland's Lack Of Infrastructure Put Under The Spotlight

South-east Queensland will need to cater for an extra 1.4 million people within 15 years, Australia's infrastructure planning body says.

A major report by

Infrastructure Australia shows Queensland's population will grow to 6.4 million and south-east Queensland's population will grow by 1.4 million in 15 years.

Infrastructure Australia is an independent body that advises governments on nationally significant projects and recommends which should receive federal funding.

The report highlights the need for major investments in infrastructure in Queensland and lists which projects should be given priority. The list includes:

High priority projects - must start within five years

• Ipswich Motorway – Rocklea to Darra section.

• Pacific Motorway M1 – Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes.

• Cross River Rail - extra rail line across the Brisbane River because existing rail bridge gets congested from 2016.

• Freight rail access to the Port of Brisbane.

Brisbane's proposed Cross River Rail tunnell[/caption]

Priority projects – must start within 10 years

• Gold Coast light rail stage two.

• Gateway Motorway/Pacific Motorway merge upgrade project.

• Bruce Highway progressive highway upgrades.

• Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade – widening the single rail section.

• Gladstone Port land access improvements.

• Mt Isa to Townsville new rail line.

• Lower Fitzroy River water infrastructure - raising the Eden Bann Weir on the Fitzroy River.

• Upgrading 4.7 km of the Cunningham Highway from Yamanto to Ebenezer west of Ipswich.

• Almost three-quarters of Australia’s population growth is projected to be in the four largest capitals (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth), placing pressure on urban infrastructure already subject to high levels of demand.

• Steps should be taken to foster greater long-term growth in Australia’s smaller capital cities, increasing their vitality while moderating the infrastructure challenges facing the larger cities.

• Amalgamation of local government is required to enable local councils to achieve the necessary scale and financial capacity to meet their local infrastructure needs.

• Australia needs integrated infrastructure and land use planning, across all levels of government. Improvements in planning are necessary if Australians’ infrastructure and economic aspirations are to be realised.