Regional Action Plan Budget 2017-18 JOBS FOR Courtesy of Qualipac Courtesy Photo:

The Queensland Budget in Darling Downs in 2017-18. will directly support around 4,300 JOBS Significant 2017-18 expenditure in Darling Downs: Infrastructure Health Education $917.9M $903.4M $27.9M for productivity enhancing infrastructure for the Darling Downs and South West for maintenance and capital works and capital works, estimated to support Hospital and Health Services. projects for schools in Darling Downs. 3,700 jobs.

Darling Downs will also benefit from: ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT Natural Resources Six Full Cohorts Works for Queensland Investment Program – 2020 Ready $200M $42.3M $250M of additional funding over two years to over four years from 2018-19 over two years for new classrooms support job-creating maintenance and minor to help support the sustainable and other infrastructure in the State's infrastructure works across regional Queensland management of Queensland's secondary schools to cater for the 17,000 that improve local government assets, bringing water, land and vegetation additional students expected in 2020. the total commitment to $400 million. resources.

Darling Downs farmland Photo: redbrickstock.com / Alamy Stock Photo

budget.qld.gov.au Regional Action Plan

WHAT THE PALASZCZUK GOVERNMENT IS DELIVERING FOR DARLING DOWNS The Palaszczuk Government is delivering a range of significant projects and has implemented a broad suite of policies to boost economic growth and drive more employment opportunities in Darling Downs, including:

POLICY OUTCOMES RESTORING FRONTLINE SERVICES* Building Our Regions $28.6 million allocated to 12 projects to support local councils and other organisations to deliver critical infrastructure and support jobs. as at 1 May 2017 209 51 183 extra extra extra Apprentice and Trainee nurses doctors teachers Payroll Tax Rebate Up 11.9% Up 15.4% Up 5.2% * Growth from March 2015 to March 2017 Rebates claimed by 1,825 businesses to reinvest $5.4 million into their business and support employment. in the 12 months to April 2017 THE SUPPORTS Back to Work 259,291 hectares 1 Aboriginal Employer support payments worth $314,000 paid to 43 of national and and employers to directly employ 69 local jobseekers and a regional parks Islander Partnership further $638,000 in Youth Boost payments to 79 employers regional office 190 State Heritage to directly employ 115 young jobseekers. as at 31 May 2017 sites 37 fire stations 33 hospitals and 52 police stations health facilities Drought relief funding 13 courthouses Assistance totalling $3.8 million provided to 587 22 customer farmers to provide relief and help them deal with the service centres 154 schools adverse impacts of drought. as at 30 April 2017 6,114 km of roads

Photo: Getty/lola1960 DARLING DOWNS TO BECOME ASIA’S FRUIT AND VEGETABLE BOWL

The 2017-18 Budget provides funding totalling $4.3 million over three years for Growing Queensland’s Food Exports and to establish a Rural Economies Centre of Excellence. These programs will help agri-businesses in Darling Downs and throughout Queensland transition to more efficient agricultural production and will develop new supporting infrastructure to meet the demand for fruit and vegetables in Asia and other parts of the world. Satisfying growing international demand for fresh, safe, high-quality food means higher returns for producers, more jobs and new business opportunities in rural Queensland. The programs will complement recent industry development projects led by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Trade and Investment Queensland. These projects have seen irrigated crop producers in communities such as Inglewood and St George grow and export new crops including sweet corn, broccoli, blueberries and garlic; all of which are much more water efficient than traditional crops. These new production systems have led to the establishment of new business and employment opportunities in rural communities, including in packaging and processing facilities. budget.qld.gov.au Regional Action Plan

INVESTING IN JOBS FOR DARLING DOWNS Darling Downs, which includes the garden city of , is one of Australia’s most productive agricultural regions. Darling Downs’ high quality produce is in demand across Australia and overseas and the region is set to build on its status as a major hub for services and logistics. The Palaszczuk Government is investing in jobs for Darling Downs through a diverse range of projects and initiatives:

1 6 10 SUNSHINE Swanbank Power Station Kogan Creek Power Station Braemar Substation COAST AND MORETON Gas Supply Strategy enhancements, overhaul and secondary systems BAY . million in - to refurbishment replacement ensure future gas supply to FAR NORTH . million in - to . million in - QUEENSLAND IPSWICH Swanbank Power Station. enhance, overhaul and refurbish out of a . million the Kogan Creek Power Station. total spend to replace GOLD 2 Roma Hospital aged secondary systems LOGAN COAST redevelopment 7 Warrego Highway Dalby at the Braemar Substation  million in - Western Access upgrade to ensure continued MACKAY out of a  million total (Stage 1) reliability of supply to the CENTRAL spend to commence the . million in - QUEENSLAND surrounding area. QUEENSLAND major redevelopment out of a  million total WIDE BAY of the Roma Hospital, spend to upgrade the Warrego 11 Myall Creek DARLING SOUTH EAST including the demolition Highway Dalby Western Access, Development DOWNS QUEENSLAND of the existing facility while Condamine Street to Watt , in - concurrently redesigning Street, due for completion in out of a , total spend the Hospital. Part of the April . Part of the Warrego to construct footpaths, shade Enhancing Regional Highway Upgrade Program, structures, a pedestrian bridge, 13 Elderly Parent Carer Hospitals Program. delivered in partnership with improved interpretive signage, Innovation Initiative – the Australian Government. LED lighting and landscape Crows Nest 3 Roma auxiliary fire and improvements at the Myall , in - out of rescue station and area Creek open space development a , total spend to operations facilities to improve aesthetics and continue the Elderly Parent , in - enhance usability. Part of the Carer Innovation Initiative out of a . million total - Local Government with a project in Crows Nest spend to relocate and Grants and Subsidies aimed at greater security for upgrade the Roma auxiliary Program. older parent carers who can  re and rescue station and Durah no longer look a er their area operations facilities. Roma adult son or daughter with a disability. 4 Chinchilla State High School new multi- 14 Tara auxiliary fire and purpose hall rescue station relocation . million in - and upgrade out of a . million total Toowoomba , in - out spend to construct a multi- St George of a . million total spend purpose hall. Warwick to relocate and upgrade the 5 Tara auxiliary  re and rescue Warrego Highway station. overtaking lanes (Dalby to Miles) 15 Tara Shire State College . million in new early years service - out of a 8 Kogan Creek Mine . million in - out  million total spend development and of a . million total spend to construct overtaking refurbishment to construct a new early years lanes on sections of the . million in - to 12 Warrego Highway Dalby service. Warrego Highway between develop and refurbish the Eastern Access upgrade 16 Dalby and Miles, due Kogan Creek Mine. . million in - Goombungee auxiliary for completion in June out of a  million total fire and rescue station . Part of the Warrego 9 New England Highway spend to widen the Warrego relocation and upgrade Highway Upgrade Package, overtaking lanes (Yarraman Highway from four to six lanes . million in - to delivered in partnership to Toowoomba) at Dalby Eastern Access, due relocate and upgrade the with the Australian . million in - out for completion in June . Goombungee auxiliary  re Government. of a  million total spend to Part of the Warrego Highway and rescue station. construct overtaking lanes at Upgrade Package, delivered in various locations on the New partnership with the Australian England Highway between Government. Yarraman and Toowoomba, due for completion in December .

For detailed descriptions of these initiatives, view the interactive map at budget.qld.gov.au Queensland Budget 2017-18

23 30 17 Oakey auxiliary fire and Charlton North Catchment - Toowoomba Hospital KEY Stormwater Detention Basin Emergency Department rescue station relocation Community wellbeing and upgrade Project , in - out , in - out . million in - out of of a  million total spend Utilities of a . million total spend a . million total spend to to expand clinical capacity in to relocate and upgrade construct earthworks, upstream the Emergency Department at Health the Oakey auxiliary  re and protection works and landscaping Toowoomba Hospital. Education rescue station. components of the Charlton North 31 Centenary Heights State Catchment stormwater detention Transport and roads 18 Warrego Highway basin to provide physical High School redevelopment duplication (Charlton to resilience against potential , in - out of Justice and safety Kingsthorpe) stormwater and flood damage to a . million total spend to . million in - valuable infrastructure. Part of the conduct master planning and Government services out of a  million total commence redevelopment. - Natural Disaster Recreation and culture spend to duplicate the Resilience Program, delivered 32 Warrego Highway between in partnership with the Australian Grantham Substation Charlton and Kingsthorpe Government. upgrade Region-wide/Statewide Toowoomba, due for . million in completion in January . 24 Charlton Fire and Rescue - out of a 37 Investigations into Part of the Warrego Highway Regional Headquarters . million total spend underground coal Upgrade Package, delivered upgrade to carry out network gasification in partnership with the , in - out of a construction works at . million in - Australian Government. , total spend to provide Grantham substation infrastructure for a South-Eastern to improve network out of a . million total spend to investigate 19 Warrego Highway Regional Headquarters and performance. overtaking lanes (Oakey to commence development of environmental impacts, 33 Dalby) regional training and logistics Drayton ambulance station progress preliminary . million in - facilities at Charlton. , in - out rehabilitation and pursue out of a  million of a  million total spend to prosecution actions related to adverse impacts total spend to construct 25 Wilsonton State High School construct a new ambulance overtaking lanes on the new multi-purpose hall station in Drayton to meet the of underground coal Warrego Highway between . million in - out of growing demand for services gasi cation which was Oakey and Dalby, due for a . million total spend to in the Darling Downs. banned in Queensland in construct a new multi-purpose . completion in October . 34 Part of the Warrego Highway hall. St George irrigation and 38 Social housing Upgrade Package, delivered water supply refurbishment  million in - in partnership with the 26 Cobb+Co Museum maintenance and enhancement to expand and improve Australian Government. , in - out of a . million in - , total spend to address to repair, maintain, renew social housing in Darling and enhance existing water Downs. 20 Highfields Sport and critical maintenance and safety Recreation Park issues at Cobb+Co Museum. infrastructure assets for St 39 Toowoomba Range , in - out George irrigation and water Capacity and Clearance of a . million total spend 27 Toowoomba Second Range supply. . million in - to construct additional Crossing 35 out of a . million  elds, multi-purpose courts, . million in - out Advance Queensland total spend to upgrade clubhouse infrastructure of a . billion total spend to . million in - out track and tunnels between and associated amenities in construct a bypass route from the of a . million total spend Brisbane and Toowoomba Toowoomba. Part of the Get Warrego Highway at Helidon to to support entrepreneurs, to cater for growing Playing Plus Program. the Gore Highway at Athol, due for industry and universities completion in December . to turn great ideas into demand from the Darling investable products and Downs and the South West 21 Highfields State Secondary Delivered in partnership with the College new buildings Australian Government. provide jobs of the future. regions of Queensland, . million in - Delivered in partnership with due for completion in out of a . million total 28 Toowoomba State Air local government and the February . spend to continue the Operations facility hangar private sector. 40 Works for Queensland construction of the student fitout 36 . million in - centre and general learning , in - to Homelessness services out of a . million total areas.  tout a hangar acquired at the . million in Toowoomba airport to support the - to deliver spend to support local specialist homelessness governments in Darling 22 Highfields Police Station State Air Operations capability, replacement and upgrade providing enhanced coordination services in Darling Downs. Downs to undertake job- , in - out of and deployment of rotary and Part of the National creating maintenance and a . million total spend to  xed wing aircra . Partnership Agreement on minor infrastructure works. replace the High elds Police Homelessness, delivered Works for Queensland has Station. 29 Lockyer District State High in partnership with the received an additional School multi-purpose hall Australian Government.  million in the upgrade - Queensland . million in - out of Budget for projects a . million total spend to outside South East upgrade the multi-purpose hall. Queensland.

For detailed descriptions of these initiatives, view the interactive map at budget.qld.gov.au 3.7% tax equivalents Dividend and 10.9% services and goods Sales of 4.2% income Interest 8.0% Other revenue 49.5% Grants revenue 23.8% revenue taxation State

4.22% services Economic

9.22% and safety order Public 12.79% services community and other housing welfare, Social

10.32% communications Transport and 24.15% Education budget.qld.gov.au Queensland. of higherelectricity prices throughout investment and mitigate theimpact support additional infrastructure -, which will beused to the largest surplus since  .B recent history includes: to housing inthe State’s The biggest commitment . B Regional ActionPlan six months. Grant, from ,to ,for Queensland First HomeOwners’ to extend thetemporary increase inthe also provided inthe-Budget Additional funding of million is   NET HOUSING STRATEGY QUEENSLAND BUDGET OUTLOOK SURPLUS OF OPERATING

system. housing and homelessness service million for reforms to the Torres Strait Islander communities ownership indiscrete Aboriginal and million to progress home social and aordable housing million to boost thesupply of housing portfolio property .billion to renewthesocial 29.51% Health 9.78% services Other ILLION 3.7% tax equivalents Dividend and 10.9% services and goods Sales of 4.2% income Interest 8.0% Other revenue 49.5% Grants revenue 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 2014 Queensland economic growth including: Regional communities will directly benet from signi cant initiatives inthe-Budget, critical infrastructure. Tropical Cyclone Debbie and its aermath, with .billion to bespent onrebuilding The -Budget will ensure theongoing resilience of communities impacted by Severe of total capital purchases will bespent outside of Greater Brisbane in-. State, providing theinfrastructure needed to promote long termprosperity. Around percent A economic growth and create more jobs inregional Queensland. The -Budget reinforces theGovernment’s commitment to drive moreinclusive . January unemployment rate. Morethan ,jobs have beencreated inQueensland since economic growth, areturn inbusiness and consumer condence and adrop inthe State’s The Government’s focus oncreating opportunities for all Queenslanders has seenstronger

economy. The -Budget will support therecovery, transition and growth of theQueensland PLAN FOR JOBS IN QUEENSLAND THE PALASZCZUK GOVERNMENT'S It will also beabudget to deliver morejobs for Darling Downs and across the State.

. billion four year capital works program will support thousands of jobs across the 1 2018- 2016-17 -15 communities Works for Queensland Program (bringing thetotal commitment to million) inregional  million increase intheBack to Work Program and anadditional  million for the costs and create ,jobs . billion Powering Queensland Plan to secure electricity supply, reduce electricity price paid by all consumers inareas such as transport, electricity and water . billion inconcessions to helpQueenslanders whoneed it most and to reduce the social housing dwellings and to increase thesupply of social and aordable housing Record focused onenhancing frontline services Record investment ineducation and training (.billion) and health (.billion) communities safer. billion in-for theQueensland Police Service to helpmake our . (real, annual %change) . billion over  years for housing, including .billion to renewexisting 23.8% revenue taxation State 92020- 19 21

Queensland 4.22% services Economic

9.22% and safety order Public 12.79% services community and other housing welfare, Social  Budget -  Budget Expenditure

2017-18 10.32% communications Transport and 24.15% Education 29.51% Health 9.78% services Other 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 2014 1 2018- 2016-17 -15 92020- 19 21

budget.qld.gov.au develop theenhanced business sustainability program. additional $916,000 has beencommitted in2017-18 to foster environmental innovation and drive costs down, an To helpQueensland businesses achieve efficiencies, and carbon footprint. their energy and water consumption, waste production ecoBiz supports small and medium businesses to reduce program. Queensland (CCIQ is partnering with Chamber of Commerce and Industry the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and medium businesses to drive down costs. That is why The Queensland Government wants to work with small Regional ActionPlan job-creating investment to theregion. businesses to expand into newmarkets andattracting and investment outcomes, supporting Darling Downs The Palaszczuk Government is dedicated to boosting trade ­ ­ ­ ­ Darling Downs initiatives targeting Queensland including specific trade and investment across over five years to boost $35 MILLION IN DARLING DOWNS DRIVING TRADE AND INVESTMENT  mentors international business expert advice from leaders program or business a to Downs entrepreneurs Access for Darling enterprises and medium-sized Darling Downs small training for up to 90 Trade and investment the regional economy Plan which will include local initiatives to boost A Darling Downs Trade and Investment Action ) to develop anenhanced ecoBiz 2016-2026 at tiq.qld.gov.au Strategy to Advance Queensland the International Education and Training and Investment Strategy 2017-2022and For more information, view the Trade

­ ­ for Darling Downs sector including training (IET) international education and over five years to grow the $25 MILLION  the IETsector supports projects that encourage investment in $1.2 million IETPartnership Fund which Funding for two projects from the annual ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT 1 Source: ABS 6219.0. Largest employing industries 7.5% Manufacturing 8.7% Construction inthe year to March 2017 quarter 8.9% training Education and 11.2% trade Retail 11.7% assistance social Health care and

­ ­

2017 be released inJuly which is expected to IET Partnership Plan partners through the Queensland's local and Investment withmarketing Trade Collaborative 

Queensland

1 Budget in Darling Downs in2014-15,

worth of agricultural 27.0% of thestate total. Agricultural output Agricultural areas ontheDarling Downs. created innewproduction 40 part-timejobs will be it is expected that up to andSingapore Taiwan, increasing demand from Japan growing rapidly, and With broccoli exports to Downs economy. part-time jobs intheDarling and supporting morethan 25 $1 million inexport revenue season of generating exports, for broccoli afterjust one third largest overseas market Japan became Queensland’s in theJapanese market. from increasing opportunities horticulture farmers benefit Downs vegetableand stakeholders to helpDarling has beenworking with The Queensland Government MARKET IN THE JAPANESE OPPORTUNITIES INCREASING 2017-18 $936.4M Beef Source: ABS 7503.0 production $3.2B Other $1.7B $312.7M Cotton $310.4M Sorghum

Photo: Courtesy of Qualipac