Expanding infrastructure
Exceptional public infrastructure program
With a strong vision for the future, Brisbane is embracing change with major developments occurring in both the public and private arenas. These vital investments in critical infrastructure are changing the city landscape in new and exciting ways. With a long-term commitment to infrastructure delivery, the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010–2031 identifies $134 billion (AUD) worth of infrastructure investment for Brisbane and the surrounding region. Designed to manage ongoing growth, the program represents the largest public infrastructure spending initiative in Australian history. Brisbane City Council’s TransApex initiative – which has already seen the construction of Australia’s longest road tunnel and a new four-lane inner-city toll bridge – is the biggest urban road project ever proposed in Australia.
Building for the future
In 2010/11 Brisbane City Council committed $1.016 billion (AUD) towards new infrastructure investment, while the Queensland Government is investing $17.1 billion (AUD) – double the average of other Australian states. Brisbane City Council has long stood out for its use of innovative funding approaches for large-scale infrastructure. Uniting public and private expertise and their balance sheet capabilities is a new world approach to infrastructure delivery, and exemplifies Brisbane’s focus on project outcomes. Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government have remained committed to major investment in infrastructure to accommodate economic growth and support local businesses. These high public capital funding levels will continue to benefit Brisbane’s current and future economic performance.
Brisbane Airport
The Brisbane Airport Corporation’s close ties with Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol – one of the world’s most modern and efficient airports – helps ensure world-class standards in an airport globally recognised as one of the best. The 2009 Brisbane Airport Master Plan sets the platform for billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and improvement works to be undertaken by the Brisbane Airport Corporation and its partners over the next two decades. Key works include the construction of a new parallel runway, expansion of the Domestic Terminal and development of aviation-related industry precincts.
Port of Brisbane
With leading-edge cargo handling and warehousing facilities, the Port of Brisbane is a key infrastructure asset for the city that in 2009/10 managed 32.1 million tonnes of total trade and delivered the 17th consecutive year of positive trade growth. In the past five years the Port of Brisbane Corporation has spent more than $724 million (AUD) on the development of port infrastructure. Over the next five years, there’s a further $950 million (AUD) commitment to continued investment in new port infrastructure.
Rail in Queensland
Covering 9,400 kilometres, Queensland is home to one of Australia’s largest and most modern rail networks. Approximately 20 per cent of the network is electrified and a standard gauge line track provides a direct link between the Port of Brisbane and other Australian states.
QR National provides a number of freight and logistics services throughout the State – freight consolidation and distribution, materials handling solutions for difficult freight, warehousing, on-shipment, delivery to retail outlets and repacking from bulk to smaller loads. With freight tonnages of 248 million tonnes recorded during the 2008/09 financial year, QR National is one of Australia’s largest freight transport companies.
