South East Queensland set for $1.8 billion "City Deal"

A new South East Queensland City Deal worth $1.8 billion has been announced today by the State and Federal Governments, with funds to build infrastructure projects in the region.

As part of the City Deal, a new $450 million Gabba Brisbane Metro Station will be built, as well as investments in social and economic projects, a $150 million ‘Innovation Economy Fund’, funding for a waste management program, and $70 million for digital connectivity projects.

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

“This is a partnership for Queensland jobs and Queensland investment to deliver a stronger economy and a stronger future,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

“South East Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and with the population expected to continue to grow, it is crucial that we invest in the infrastructure it needs to thrive for decades to come.

“From Brisbane to Toowoomba, Ipswich to the Sunshine Coast and everywhere in between, this Deal delivers for South East Queenslanders.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the project will prepare SEQ for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with more than 30 projects set to generate more than 2,000 jobs.

“I have always said we work best when we work together,” the Premier said.

“The City Deal provides vital infrastructure to plan for our growing population.

“That includes new transport links for the Gabba in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The winners are Queenslanders.”

Key projects in the City Deal include:

• $450 million for the Gabba Brisbane Metro Station, to deliver enhanced transport connections and support the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games;
• $285 million for the SEQ Liveability Fund to deliver projects of social and economic priority for the councils;
• $150 million for the SEQ Innovation Economy Fund to support capital projects that promote and grow the region’s innovation economy;
• $105 million for resource recovery infrastructure to develop a region-wide approach to managing waste and progress the region to a circular economy;
• $70 million for digital connectivity projects to support place based telecommunications infrastructure and improved digital connectivity.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the cooperation between all levels of government will ensure that the region has the right infrastructure in place as the population grows.

“We have seen a recent surge in people looking to call SEQ home, and by 2041, the region is set to grow to 5.4 million residents,” Miles said.

“A new Gabba Metro Station will improve linkages between cross-river rail and the Brisbane Metro at the Woolloongabba Olympic venue that create long-term improvements to the public transport network and transformational city shaping opportunities.”

The announcement comes days after the Federal Government expanded its commitment to the jointly funded Perth City Deal, is a major infrastructure project for the Western Australian capital that was originally signed in September 2020.

Both governments announced an additional $49 million to build the new Edith Cowan University (ECU) campus and $25 million each to the Swan River Bridge construction project.

The new funding from both the Federal and WA governments brings the total value of the Perth City Deal to $1.69 billion. In addition to the ECU build and the Swan River Bridge, the City Deal includes:

• Investment in Curtin University's Historical Heart Cluster, including the expansion of the Graduate School of Business and Law School and the creation of a healthcare and clinical training facility.
• Investment in Perth's cultural attractions, including the Perth Cultural Centre rejuvenation, the Perth Concert Hall Redevelopment and the WACA redevelopment and public swimming pool. These investments will create vibrant, safe and attractive offerings delivering improved liveability, cultural and tourism outcomes for the city.
• Investment towards the celebration of Western Australia’s rich Aboriginal culture and history, including important community consultation and engagement, feasibility studies and preliminary design work for the Perth Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
• The CBD Transport Plan, an investment to improve active and public transport accessibility and safety in the CBD, increasing the attractiveness and sustainability of the city for residents and visitors.