SEQ set to become Australia’s powerhouse, but infrastructure is the key

28 Jan 2009

South East Queensland will become a driving force behind the Australian economy over the next 20 years, projected to grow twice as fast as the rest of the nation.

Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chairman, Cr Campbell Newman, said recent research added weight to the Mayors campaign to address the region's infrastructure bottlenecks and supports their bid for a share of the Federal Government's $20 billion Building Australia Fund.

"The one thing holding the region back is spending on infrastructure. To reach our potential and expand on this rapid growth we need infrastructure investment that reflects the region's input into the national economy." Cr Newman said.

The National Institute of Economic Research found that South East Queensland, home to one in seven Australians, will generate one fifth of Australia's economic growth.

The research, commissioned by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and the State Government, projects the region's economy will more than double in size (growing by 127%) from 2006 to 2026, and grow at double the rate of the rest of the Australian economy (which is projected to expand by 65% from 2006 to 2026).

"It is vital that future investment covers regional economic links such as the Toowoomba range crossing, roads linking the Port and airport precincts to outer suburbs such as the Eastern Suburbs Road, and public transport initiatives to increase capacity such as the Inner City Rail Capacity Upgrade." Cr Newman said.

"These projects aren't cheap. Local and State Government's have invested heavily into new infrastructure for the region.

"But, if the Federal Government wants to boost the fastest growing economic region in the State, then bringing forward such crucial projects would be the best single investment that it could make."

Four of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) projects are included in the short list of 96 projects recently identified for further investigation by Infrastructure Australia, the Federal Government's new advisory body on infrastructure.

A further 11 projects in SEQ nominated by the State Government and the Brisbane City Council also made the shortlist.

The Council of Mayors SEQ, which represents the 11 Mayors in South East Queensland, recently launched a website www.infrastructurenow.com.au as part of their campaign for a fair share of infrastructure funding for SEQ.

Infrastructure Australia has indicated a final shortlist of projects will be released in March this year.

Source: Council of Mayors (SEQ) Latest News