THE federal government will work with south-east Queensland councils and the state government on a City Deal that would boost investment in the region.
Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said in Canberra that he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison would meet with south-east Queensland mayors to discuss the deal.
“South-east Queensland is already home to over two-thirds of the state’s population and is expected to accommodate 5.3 million people within 25 years’ time,” Mr Tudge said.
“We need to cater for this rising population and the SEQ City Deal will be a huge step forward in making sure the people of south-east Queensland get the most out of living in this beautiful region.”
Mr Morrison said the federal government was already delivering billions of dollars for funding for congestion-busting roads and rail projects and the new deal would unlock further investment.
“I want people to get home sooner and have dinner as a family,” Mr Morrison said.
“I want tradies to spend less time on the road and more time at the worksite.
“We want to ensure Queensland remains a major tourism destination and one of the world’s premier locations to live, work and raise a family.”
It will be the second City Deal for Queensland following the policy being first established in Townsville.
The federal government has been working with the SEQ Council of Mayors on the recently released People Mass Movement Study.
The report listed the Eastern Busway, Cleveland rail duplication, Mount Lindesay Highway and the Park Ridge connector among 47 priority projects in south-east Queensland.
The federal government previously announced $1.2 billion for six projects to upgrade the M1 Pacific Motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, $1.1 billion to build the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, $300 million for the Brisbane Metro, and $244 million for projects through the $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund.
