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Just the ticket: $1.8 billion City Deal for SEQ finally lands to fire up Olympics dream

A $1.8 billion funding promise to kickstart vital transport and other infrastructure needed for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics has finally been unveiled as the centrepiece of south-east Queensland’s City Deal agreement between the federal, state and local governments.

Mar 21, 2022, updated Mar 21, 2022
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Gabba before making the City Deal announcement. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Gabba before making the City Deal announcement. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the deal – the biggest of its kind – saying it was vital all governments invested in the projects need to cope with region’s rapid population growth.

The SEQ City Deal follows years of negotiations and sometimes outright bickering between Canberra and the state over the details of the agreement.

However, the deal unveiled on Monday boosts hopes that the region’s infrastructure decisions will be joint efforts between the federal and state governments and local councils.

Its centrepiece is a $450 million investment in the new Gabba Metro station that will connect with Cross River Rail and other transport links to create a new commuter hub as well as a major asset in time for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

However, the City Deal covers more than 30 projects from the new Kangaroo Point Green Bridge to flood mitigation studies, digital connectivity improvements and a new ferry terminal for Stradbroke Island.

The City Deal will help pay for a new Gabba metro station to connect with Cross River Rail. (Image:CRRDA)

Mr Morrison said his government would kick in $667.77 million for the City Deal, the the state government investing nearly $620 million, south-east councils putting in more than $500 million and about $75 million coming from the private sector.

“South-east Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and with the population expected to continue to grow, it is crucial that we invest in the infrastructure it needs to thrive for decades to come,” he said.

“From Brisbane to Toowoomba, Ipswich to the Sunshine Coast and everywhere in between, this Deal delivers for South-east Queenslanders.

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“We all share a vision of a more connected, liveable and export-competitive region, and this brings that vision to life.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk talked up the intergovernmental co-operation central to the agreement.

“I’ve always said we work best when we work together,” she said.

“The winners are Queenslanders.”

Industry reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with the property and business lobby saying such an agreement was vital for the regions economic future.

Committee for Brisbane chief executive Barton Green said it was the biggest City Deal in Australia’s history.

“This is version one of two-decade planning framework that will evolve as the region’s population essentially doubles over the next 20 years,” he said.

“A critical element of the City Deal is the governance agreement that will see the three levels of government working together to investigate and deliver critical infrastructure for the region’s future.”

However, some SEQ councils pointed out that the City Deal was light on in terms of regional infrastructure.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said while the Prime Minister, Premier and the Council of Mayors SEQ should be contracted on anding the City Deal, it did not deliver on major transport projects such as the planned Beerwah to Maroochydore rail connection.

“While our Federal and State Members of Parliament have been vocal in their support of a number of these projects – as has our council – we are yet to see funding commitments to support their delivery,” he said.

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