Investing in regional Queensland and the water sector

The Queensland State Government budget delivers massively for the water sector – set to bring more investment and development to regional Queensland.

Queensland communities are set to benefit from the Queensland State Government’s more than $1.1 billion investment in water initiatives. This will create more good jobs for Queenslanders.

The Great Artesian Basin (GAB), Queensland’s most precious water resource, will benefit from the GAB Water Security Program. It will provide $32 million over four years, subject to matching Australian Government funding to cap free-flowing bores.

This will add to the more than $89 million the Queensland Government has already invested to protect the GAB. Since work began to improve the GAB, more than 226,000 megalitres a year has been returned to the basin.

The Great Artesian Basin supports around 80 communities in outback Queensland and is essential to agriculture, industry and the environment.

The Queensland State Government is establishing a cross-border commissioner to help border communities in New South Wales and Queensland. This new role will help manage cross-border issues, collaborate with NSW on service delivery matters, and pursue economic opportunities.

It is also providing $2.8 million to continue developing the Hughenden Irrigation Project (HIPCO) while the Gulf Water Plan and Regional Water Assessment are reviewed in the region.

The Budget has allocated $200,000 to work collaboratively with the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) to help the group manage water on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke) Island. This work supports the Minjerribah Futures project, a strategy to develop cultural and eco-tourism opportunities.

Safe and secure water supply across regional Queensland is a key focus of this year’s Budget, with the following investments also confirmed:

$46.9 million over three years for a new water treatment plant for Ayr.
$87.5 million over three years for the Cairns Water Security Project, in addition to the $107.5 million commitment maximum.
$300,000 to the State Council of River Trusts to continue to support the important work of River Improvement Trusts across Queensland.

In addition to new funding announced in the 2024-25 Budget, the State will continue to deliver on more than $1 billion of funding commitments delivering water security to Queenslanders:

Burdekin Falls Dam improvement and two-metre rise: More than $500 million has been committed to improving and raising the dam by two metres. This will future-proof Queensland’s largest dam by providing up to 150,000 megalitres of new medium-priority water allocations, locking in water for agricultural irrigation, supplementing urban use, and powering industries and jobs in north Queensland.
Paradise Dam: Planning and enabling works of $109.6 million to build a new wall to meet dam safety standards and support economic growth as part of the Queensland and Federal Government’s existing $1.2 billion commitment towards the project.
Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline: $311 million in funding to improve water security for existing and future customers. This almost $1 billion pipeline project has reached the halfway point, with more than 58 kilometres of pipeline laid. Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline: A more than $300 million commitment to deliver water security to the Southern Downs region as well as the small towns of Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby, and Clifton.
$71 million for the Lake Macdonald dam improvement project.
$8 million over two years has been allocated for a detailed assessment of the water requirements for the hydrogen industry in Gladstone.
$7 million for Cloncurry’s water supply through the Community Service Obligation.
Queensland’s $40.4 million contribution to the Mount Morgan Pipeline.
$26 million commitment for a water pipeline for the Lansdown eco-industrial precinct in Townsville.

$52 million for existing and new grant programs to boost our manufacturing sector and ensure Queensland’s good jobs and economic growth will continue into the future.

The hugely successful Made in Queensland Grant Program continues with $20 million of new funding invested in Queensland manufacturers, taking the total for the program to $121.5 million to help manufacturers with new technology adoption, international competitiveness, productivity and innovation.

Made in Queensland has provided funding for 129 manufacturing projects over the past seven years, creating more than 6,400 good jobs and generating more than $128 million in private sector investment.

The Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program (MHGP) has received a funding boost of $5 million, ensuring an investment of $33.5 million for Queensland’s manufacturers. Over the past three rounds funding has helped manufacturers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Gold Coast regions to become more productive and build advanced manufacturing capabilities.

Queensland’s manufacturers will also benefit from the $7.1 million Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant Program (MEEG) and the $10 million ReMade in Queensland Grant Program which is funding manufacturing and recyclers for projects using recycled materials for manufacturing.

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub has $2.2 million to continue its vital work in leading-edge robotics for manufacturers.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“When Queensland’s regions are strong, Queensland is strong.

“That’s why this budget delivers critical water security and boosts manufacturing support and funding to protect the Great Artesian Basin.

“This budget is about supporting good jobs, new industries and economic security in regional Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:

“Queensland has a proud manufacturing history, and the Queensland State Government’s 2024-25 Budget ensures its future is even brighter.

“Our Government’s commitment to hit 80 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035 will keep our manufacturing industry competitive worldwide for decades to come, while our investment in the sector now will make sure we keep our reputation as Australia’s manufacturing state.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:

“The Premier’s first Budget highlights our government’s rock-solid commitment to manufacturing. We always put our money where our mouth is, and we back our manufacturers because if we can make it in Queensland, we should.

“We’ve got some big water projects on the books, including the Burdekin Falls Dam two-metre raising, the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline and the Paradise Dam Improvement Project. These are complex projects and it’s good to see these projects are moving forward.”