Sunshine Coast Urgently Calls for Federal Budget Support
With the upcoming Federal Budget on May 14, Sunshine Coast MP Andrew Wallace is intensifying his efforts to secure vital infrastructure funding for the region. The immediate and substantial investment required for critical projects cannot be overstated. Mr Wallace says he is determined to ensure that the Sunshine Coast's infrastructure requirements are not only acknowledged but prioritised in the national budget.
Mr Wallace said “Sunshine Coast residents and businesses are facing a critical juncture. The Bruce Highway, a vital artery for the region, faces a significant funding shortfall due to the federal government's decision to reduce its contribution from 80 percent to 50 percent this translates to a reduction of up to $6 billion over the next decade, jeopardizing the crucial upgrades. Then of course we have Labor’s cuts to the heavy rail project and even to our local road upgrades.”
These cuts come on top of ongoing delays in disbursing the $5 million previously allocated for the Southern Sunshine Coast Roads Improvement Study, which aimed to address crippling traffic congestion issues in areas like Caloundra and Kawana.
Furthermore, the Mooloolah River Interchange desperately requires the reinstatement of the former Coalition Government’s $160 million to mitigate severe traffic congestion and safety issues and to enhance commuting efficiency which Federal Labor so callously cut. Additionally, the $7 million funding cut for a new transport corridor connecting Nicklin Way to the CBD north of the Caloundra Road roundabout by the Federal Labor Government underscores the need for collaboration.
The Sunshine Coast MP said “both Federal and State Labor must restore funding to the much needed heavy rail from Beerwah all the way to Maroochydore to enhance connectivity and accessibility across the region. When we were in Government, the Federal Coalition put $1.6B on the table and now both State and Federal Labor have done nothing but dither and delay and now this vital project is at risk of not being delivered by the time the Olympics and Paralympics begin in 2032.”
“State Labor talk about how the costs of this project have blown out. Well they’ve blown out because of their delaying tactics and because they signed up to the CFMEU’s demands to introduce the so-called Best Practice Industry Conditions which is driving the costs of the delivery of infrastructure sky high in Queensland. It’s time that this hopeless and hapless State Labor Government released its costings for the construction of this vital rail project, because I for one, simply don’t believe Labor’s figures. To date, they have refused to release the costings and I believe taxpayers have a right to know.” Mr Wallace said.
"Residents and businesses on the Sunshine Coast are not only frustrated but are reaching a critical point due to the continued inaction of both the Federal and State Labor Governments," Wallace said. "The time for political rhetoric and empty promises has long passed. Our community deserves real, tangible commitments and immediate action from both Federal and State Labor Governments."
With the release of the Federal Budget just days away, the need for decisive action is paramount. The Sunshine Coast stands on the brink of an infrastructure crisis. We cannot afford further delays, and our community will not tolerate road and rail gridlock any longer. Immediate, substantial Federal and State funding is not just desirable; it is imperative. The Sunshine Coast's future prosperity and growth depend on it."
