Queensland’s master plan: Bligh says new projects will dovetail with rebuilding priorities By Tony Featherstone
In recent times, Queensland has seen a lot of cloud and not much silver lining. Huge demands on the state budget, a difficult but important asset sales program, and then – just as things appeared to get back on an even keel – Queensland’s south was devastated by floods, as the far north was hammered by Cyclone Yasi. THIS PAGE: Coal is Queensland’s largest export industry. RIGHT: Queensland’s infrastructure took a battering from Cyclone Yasi.
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With the damage bill estimated to top $5.8 billion, questions are being raised about how reconstruction will affect the timing and status of other badly needed Queensland infrastructure projects, such as the Cross River Rail, the Eastern Busway, upgrades to the Pacific, Bruce and Warrego highways, and the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. And, just as importantly, how will these projects be funded in light of an already staggering reconstruction bill? In this interview with Future Building’s Tony Featherstone, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh remains optimistic about the future of infrastructure development – but realistic about the challenges. Following is an edited transcript of the Queensland Premier’s interview.
Volume 2 Number 1
6/30/11 5:13 PM
