Although the infrastructure program announced in the state budget is slightly down on last year’s $17.3 billion, Ai Group Queensland director Chris Rodwell said it was a strong spend that was ”unexpected, but encouraging”.“It will help industry deal with the patchy recovery in private investment in this sector,” he said. The big road and rail investment will include $197 million to continue construction of the Northern Busway, $155.6 million to fast-track works on the Springfield rail line and $88 million to commence the extension of the Port of Brisbane Motorway.Highlights of a $753.8 million water infrastructure program are $202.2 million for the Northern Pipeline Interconnector, $105 million for the Wyaralong Dam and $90 million to complete the Hinze Dam upgrade.The state government said 57% of infrastructure spending will be in regional areas, including$252.8 million to continue redevelopments at the Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton and Townsville hospitals, and $37.6 million for completion of the duplication of the Forgan Bridge in Mackay.
