Backing jobs for Queensland’s second largest city, the Gold Coast, is the focus of the Palaszczuk Government’s 2019-20 Budget.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad told local businesses and community members at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Club this morning the Budget would deliver job-generating infrastructure and continue to build frontline services for the Gold Coast.
“This is a Budget that will invest more than $807 million in infrastructure for the Gold Coast and support an estimated 2,500 local jobs in the region,” Ms Trad said.
“We understand that as the largest and fastest growing, non-capital city urban area in Australia, the Gold Coast relies on and thrives on small business.
“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government has increased the payroll tax-free threshold to $1.3 million.
“An estimated 1,000 small businesses on the Gold Coast will benefit from the Palaszczuk Government’s $885 million Payroll Tax Package to help them take on new workers and grow.
“Since the Palaszczuk Government’s election in 2015, around 207,000 new jobs have been created for Queenslanders including 50,000 on the Gold Coast alone and we’re determined to see that continue.”
Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government had worked hard to restore the frontline services that had been slashed by the previous LNP Government.
“We’re investing a whopping $1.6 billion in health on the Gold Coast, on top of the 874 extra nurses and 214 additional doctors employed in the region since 2015,” Ms Trad said.
“The restoration of frontline services has also seen 654 new teachers and 73 teacher aides, plus $223 million for school upgrades, and a primary school at Pimpama and, as promised, a new high school for Coomera.”
Member for Gaven and Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development Meaghan Scanlon said $1.5 billion in upgrades for the M1 would be funded in partnership with the Australian Government
“The M1 is a critical road corridor for the Gold Coast and the Palaszczuk Government’s investment reflects that,” Ms Scanlon said.
“It means upgrades for the Pacific Motorway with additional lanes between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes and Varsity Lakes to Tugun, as promised, as our city continues to be the number one destination for interstate and international visitors.
“The Palaszczuk Government will also invest $60 million in the delivery of the Spit Masterplan in partnership with Gold Coast Council to revitalise and protect this important community parkland asset.”
Other significant projects include:
- $2 million towards a new fire and rescue station at Pimpama
- $8.3 million for new learning spaces at Ormeau State School
- $2.1 million for new learning areas at South Port State High School
- $12 million as promised for Exit 57 on the M1
- $10.8 million toward a new police facility at Arundel
- $525,000 to continue the Good Money Store at Southport
- $148,500 as promised for the Tallebudgera Pony Club
- $352,000 as promised for First 5 Forever
- $2.8 million toward the Gold Coast Adolescent Extended Treatment facility
- $15 million to refurbish Gold Coast TAFE
- $1.8 million to get started on dredging Gold Coast waterways
“The Palaszczuk Government’s Budget for the Gold Coast invests in the jobs, infrastructure and frontline services our growing region needs now and for the future,” Ms Trad said.
