1 A Shared Future: Collaborative Opportunities for South East Queensland 2015-2016 Federal Advocacy Document Contents The Council of Mayors (SEQ): One Region, One Voice 3 Why support South East Queensland? 4 Why does collaboration between Governments matter? 4 Why now? 5 Where do we start? 5 Summary of Recommendations 6 Building the Backbone: Transport and Road Infrastructure Priorities for SEQ 9 Transformative Economic and Social Infrastructure for SEQ 18 Innovative Infrastructure Funding for Economic Growth in SEQ 20 Unified Catchment Planning for SEQ: The Resilient Rivers Initiative 21 Attracting Major Investment to SEQ 25 A Safe and Smart SEQ 26 Delivering Natural Disaster Resilience across SEQ 27 Housing Affordability for SEQ 29 An SEQ Olympics for all Australians 30 3 The Council of Mayors (SEQ): The Council of Mayors (SEQ): One Region, One Voice 3 One Region, One Voice Why support South East Queensland? 4 Why does collaboration between Governments matter? 4 Why now? 5 Where do we start? 5 The Council of Mayors (SEQ) is Australia’s largest regional local government advocacy organisation, Summary of Recommendations 6 representing the South East Queensland (SEQ) region. Building the Backbone: The membership of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) includes Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Transport and Road Infrastructure Priorities for SEQ 9 Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba Councils. Transformative Economic and Social Infrastructure for SEQ 18 Innovative Infrastructure Funding for Economic Growth in SEQ 20 Unified Catchment Planning for SEQ: The Resilient Rivers Initiative 21 Attracting Major Investment to SEQ 25 A Safe and Smart SEQ 26 QLD Delivering Natural Disaster Resilience across SEQ 27 Australia SEQ Housing Affordability for SEQ 29 An SEQ Olympics for all Australians 30 Sunshine Coast Council Major Mark Jamieson Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Graham Quirk Redland Toowoomba Ipswich City City Council Regional Council Council Mayor Mayor Paul Antonio Lockyer Valley Karen Williams Regional Council Mayor Paul Pisasale Mayor Steve Jones Logan City Council Mayor Pam Parker Scenic Rim City of Regional Council Gold Coast Mayor John Brent Mayor Tom Tate 4 Why support South East Queensland? South East Queensland generates one fifth of Why does collaboration between Australia’s economic growth, houses one in seven Governments matter? Australians and continues to be a key driver of economic growth for Queensland and Australia. As the Mayors of Queensland’s most economically significant and populous region, we believe value for We proudly feature relatively affordable housing, money, strategic thinking and a measured approach an idyllic climate and a very high standard of living. are crucial to navigating the nation’s changing The desirability and attractiveness of our state to new economic landscape. This can only be achieved businesses and residents has come predominantly through a collaborative approach across issues and from the successful and ongoing growth of our region. a strong alliance between all tiers of government. In the past decade, SEQ has generated over 20 percent This document defines the funding and resourcing of the nation’s economic and employment growth. commitments needed from the Federal Government to Projections show that this region will continue to continue to drive economic development, productivity, deliver strong economic growth in coming decades. social, environmental and economic sustainability for With a projected population growth of 4.4 million our region, our state and Australia. by 2031, SEQ faces the challenge of planning for and delivering the infrastructure and services needed to improve productivity, reduce cost of living pressures and maintain the liveability of the region. SEQ continues to be an The Council of Mayors (SEQ) offers the Federal economic powerhouse for Government a unique opportunity to build an effective partnership across one of Australia’s fastest growing Queensland and Australia regions, which will be home to one in six Australians within 20 years. 5 Why now? Where do we start? Right now, more than ever, investment in SEQ Cities and regions rely on their various parts working makes sense. SEQ continues to be an economic together collaboratively and organically for success. powerhouse for Queensland and Australia. The quality, timeliness and location of infrastructure; Through strong partnerships with Federal and the skills and commitment of people; the quality and State Governments, we can secure the future of reliability of climate; adaptation and resilience to SEQ against the risk of an economic stall. natural and economic shocks; stable and responsive Importantly, the end of the resources capital governments and institutions; a varied and innovative investment period has parlayed into a flat economy: each must play its part to ensure economic Queensland (and SEQ) economy. In many ways, growth, new jobs, and improvements in quality of life. our region is feeling the worst of the GFC’s effects Although transport and road infrastructure now, while the other large states are returning to are always key items in our advocacy efforts, a strong growth. Investment in SEQ, and the growth regional focus on climate resilience and waterways it helps to deliver, is under threat. management remains a high priority for the Council “Business as usual” – pushing back new projects, of Mayors (SEQ). Alongside this, a renewed focus on new infrastructure and new investment until cash social and economic infrastructure, a Smart Region flows improve at the end of the forward estimates approach, and affordable housing are presented here period – is not a realistic option. We cannot risk for consideration. stalling an SEQ economy which contributes so much Droughts, floods, erosion and sedimentation continue across Queensland and nationally, which is why to have significant social and economic impacts on courageous, innovative and farsighted decisions SEQ. Therefore, future proofing SEQ’s waterways and are needed right now. catchments will play a vital role in our efforts in the This document summarises the aims and ideas coming years. of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and outlines the We are continuing to explore a potential regional bid commitments needed from the Federal Government for the 2028 summer Olympic Games, capitalising to achieve them. We look forward to partnering on our region’s many strengths from climate and with the Federal Government to deliver our diversity, our innovative industries and central focus shared objectives. on hospitality and tourism. The agenda of the Council of Mayors (SEQ), presented in this document, provides a clear opportunity for all tiers of Government to work together towards an Australian model of integrated planning and delivery in a regional context. Taken together, these individual components are a roadmap towards a better, more secure, happier and more productive SEQ. More importantly, these plans come from a region with an unparalleled track record in collaborative delivery and a consistent growth focus. The Mayors of SEQ look forward to working with the Federal Government to deliver for our communities and our region. 6 Summary of Recommendations Building the Backbone: • Ipswich Motorway, Darra to Rocklea Upgrade Transport and Road Stage 1 Infrastructure Priorities for SEQ • Bruce Highway / Dohles Rocks Road Murrumba Downs – proposed signalised interchange The Council of Mayors (SEQ) seeks continued commitment from the Federal Government to ensure • North-South Urban Arterial – Anzac Avenue to the speedy delivery of already funded key transport Dohles Rocks Road infrastructure projects within their confirmed • Intra-Regional Transport Corridor (IRTC) – timeframes, including the Bruce Highway Upgrades, 4 lane urban arterial the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, the Gateway Motorway North Upgrade and the Gold Coast Light • Redland City to Port of Brisbane Corridor Rail Stage 2. • Pacific Highway – Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes The Council of Mayors (SEQ) seeks Federal • Cunningham Highway – Yamanto to Willowbank Government commitment to significant new transport and road infrastructure projects requiring • Pacific Highway – Gateway to Logan Federal funding: • Norman Street Bridge Public transport • Redland City to Gateway Motorway Corridor • Northern Busway • Southport-Burleigh Road, Ashmore Road and Salerno Street intersection • Eastern Busway to Capalaba • Mt Lindesay Highway deviation – Woodhill • Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 – Broadbeach to Bromelton to Burleigh Heads • Bruce Highway / Deception Bay Road – proposed • Sunshine Coast High Quality Bus Corridor bridge duplication and improved motorway • South East Busway Extension from Eight Mile Plains interchange to Loganholme • West Petrie Bypass (Youngs Crossing Road) • Manly to Cleveland Rail Duplication • Mt Lindesay Highway Upgrade • Darra to Springfield Rail Extension to Redbank Plains • Wembley Road/Logan Motorway (School Road) Interchange Upgrade • Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail Service, • Southport-Burleigh Road Capacity Upgrade funding of a business case • Coomera Interchange Exit 54 Upgrade Freight • Kilcoy Bypass • Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project • Brisbane Valley Highway Upgrade – Blacksoil (Gowrie to Port of Brisbane [SEQ] section) to Blackbutt • North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and • Timber Bridge Replacement