Road, rail and air
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program will deliver $18.1 billion in transport infrastructure across local, state and national networks over the next four years (Source: Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2014-15 to 2017-18).
Ongoing investment in road infrastructure is paramount to reducing congestion and upgrading key freight and commercial routes. Future road projects include:
- The $1.5 billion Legacy Way Tunnel (under construction)
- The $650 million Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade
- The $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing
Rail plays an important part in the resources industry supply chain. Queensland is benefiting from major investment in rail projects from the public and private sector. Future rail projects include the $5 billion Underground Bus and Train (Source: Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads, 2014).
Brisbane Airport, situated 12km from the CBD, is fast becoming a premier aviation hub in the Asia Pacific region. Brisbane Airport operates curfew-free and offers around-the-clock capacity. In 2013, Brisbane Airport Corporation began construction of a new parallel runway as part of a $1.3 billion infrastructure investment.
Energy and resources
Queensland energy consumption grew at a strong 2 per cent over 2012-13 to reach 1326PJ or 23 per cent of Australia's total energy consumption (Source: Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics, Australian Energy Statistics, 2014).
Demand continues to increase, due largely to the growing number of projects in high energy-consuming industries such as metals, mining, oil and gas. To keep pace with demand, new and improved infrastructure and at least 341 megawatts of new generation is required each year (Source: Australian Energy Market Operator, 2011). Queensland is also pursuing a greener future, with a focus on the areas of low-emission coal technology, gas, solar, wind, biomass, hydro, and geothermal.
With more than $73 billion worth of resources and energy projects under construction in Queensland, there is limited capacity within the current construction industry to meet all future demands for new or expanded infrastructure (Source: Deloitte Access Economics, Investment Monitor, September 2014). This means more opportunities for construction companies looking to grow new markets and, as Queensland’s capital, Brisbane provides the ideal base from which to service this demand.
Health and education
An ageing population and advances in medical technology are increasing opportunities in the areas of health infrastructure. In 2014-15 Queensland Helath will invest $1.55 billion in capital with a number of major hospital and health facilities planned for construction in 2014-15 (Queensland Government, State Budget 2014-15).
With $411.7 million in education infrastructure planned for 2013-14, it is clear that government at all levels has committed to investing in education infrastructure in Brisbane and across Queensland (Source: Queensland Government, State Budget 2014-15).
Urban Renewal projects
The Kurilpa Riverfront – Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government are working together on the Kurilpa Riverfront Renewal project to facilitate the renewal of prime riverfront industrial land in South Brisbane. This unique catalyst for renewal precinct comprises about one kilometre of river frontage and more than 25ha of land, presenting a renewal opportunity on a scale not seen by the city since the 1990s.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane - In 2013, the Queensland Government announced the issue of a new casino licence for Brisbane, and the once-in-a-generation opportunity to redevelop a unique precinct, known as Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.
