Rail, Growth Areas Signed Off in $1.8bn SEQ City Deal

Nine new train stations, residential growth areas and a $450 million interchange next to the Gabba Olympic Stadium are south-east Queensland’s top priorities, according to the city deal inked on Monday. 

All levels of government signed off on the $1.8-billion infrastructure pact to increase the liveability and connectability of the region as its population booms.

Rail connectivity was a major component of the plans with the $450-million Brisbane Metro Woolloongabba Station at the heart of the city deal.

This will create an interchange between the Brisbane Metro bus system and the Cross River Rail lines alongside the new billion-dollar Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium.

There was also $10 million in funding to identify the locations of nine new stations and rail line options between Ipswich and Springfield which has expanded rapidly with the creation of the satellite city. 

Plans to connect the new communities in Park Ridge, Flagstone and Yarrabilba to the Logan and Gateway motorways have started with a $1-million business case.

South-east Queensland could accommodate more than 800,000 new homes through unlocking new economic development corridors, according to the deal.

There will be $5 million spent on a business case for a 15,610 hectare state development area in the Scenic Rim Region.

The case would look at infrastructure planning, sequencing, prioritisation and capital investment around Bromelton, west of the Gold Coast.

There was also $25 million in the city deal for exploring options to deliver affordable housing for the Toowoomba Railway Parkland Priority Development Area.

Caboolture West also received further infrastructure support with $210 million to help establish a pilot growth area compact for the delivery of affordable housing.

Snapshot: Place-based SEQ City deals

Gold Coast projects were notably absent from the plans despite the region being a major part of regional growth and the Olympic Games.

The SEQ City Deal was supported by a $667.77 million investment from the Commonwealth, $618.78 million from the state and $501.62 from the SEQ Council of Mayors, plus $75 million from industry.

Federal minister for communications, urban Infrastructure, cities and the arts Paul Fletcher said they had been working on this deal for three years.

“With three quarters of the state’s population already living in south east Queensland, it is vital that we plan and invest in the urban and social infrastructure that this region requires to support sustainable growth over the coming decades,” Fletcher said.

“The investments that we are making through this deal, in partnership with the state and local governments, will leave a lasting legacy on the region by providing improved transport links, important community infrastructure, and high quality jobs across multiple sectors.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the deal provided a whole range of incentives for transport, livability and business cases. 

“This city deal is also really important because it is also a catalyst for the Olympic Games,” Palaszczuk said.

“Where we will see the Gabba completely rebuilt but right across from the Gabba of course is the Cross River Rail and the new interchange with the Brisbane Metro.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the deal was a critical step towards ensuring the south-east corner can cater for a booming population.

“There might not have been a time in our region’s history when such co-operation has been so critically important,” Schrinner said.

“SEQ is experiencing significant population growth as more and more Australians discover our unmatched lifestyle and want to call our region home.” 

“We’re also a decade away from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games which presents a unique chance to showcase our region to the world while establishing a legacy that can continue to deliver for the generations to come.”