8 Aug 2001 Legislative Assembly 2309 WEDNESDAY, 8 AUGUST 2001 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Awoonga Dam Mrs Liz Cunningham from 850 petitioners, requesting the House to require the Gladstone Area Water Board to honour to the longstanding obligation to relocate the railway line prior to any impacts from the raising of the Awoonga Dam to ensure (a) GAWB’s longstanding obligations to the community, councils and Government are met, (b) economic development is not impeded in any way in both Boyne and Burnett Valleys, (c) future development will have access to this important transport alternative and (d) options for alternative income generation for Boyne Valley residents including product development, primary production diversification, tourism and other options are not diminished in any way. Powerlines, Cardwell and Johnstone Shires Mr Pitt from 2,790 petitioners, requesting the House to direct Powerlink to establish the 275 kV line on the current alignment where its impact on the community of the Cardwell and Johnstone Shires is minimal. Irradiation Plant, Narangba Mr Wells from 2,040 petitioners, requesting the House to (a) recognise that the proposed irradiation plant at Narangba is nuclear and is part of the global nuclear industry, (b) stop the proposed nuclear irradiation plant, not only from being implemented in Narangba, but anywhere else in Queensland, (c) halt the expansion of the nuclear industry in Queensland, (d) support the wishes of the people over and above those of industry, (e) ban the irradiation of food in Queensland, whether for domestic consumption or export and (f) adhere to the Labor Party’s traditional anti-nuclear stand. PAPERS MINISTERIAL PAPERS The following ministerial papers were tabled by The Clerk— Minister for Environment (Mr Wells)— Report of the Review of the National Environment Protection Council Acts (Commonwealth, State and Territory) Code of practice for the taking and use of protected plants. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Capital Works Projects Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.35 a.m.), by leave: Queensland is the leading state for capital works expenditure. In fact, Queensland leads Australia. We are building the infrastructure Queensland needs to grow and prosper at a faster rate than any other state. Our $5.2 billion Capital Works Program represents 27 per cent of the total Capital Works Program of all the states combined; that is, 27 per cent of the nation's capital works from a state that represents less than 19 per cent of Australia's population. We are delivering infrastructure at a record rate, and we are delivering 46,300 jobs for construction workers around the state. The Department of Public Works has released an industry guide listing all the building projects sponsored by the Queensland government this year. This is an excellent publication from Minister Schwarten's department, identifying all the tender opportunities available for Queensland construction firms. I table that document for the information of honourable members. Copies are now being circulated to members in the House. 2310 Legislative Assembly 8 Aug 2001 The document highlights the enormous investment that this government is making in our great state. A few examples from this year alone—and I stress that they are just a few examples—are: $9.3 million towards the new Calamvale State School; $2 million for Tannum Sands High School; $1 million towards a new Surfers Paradise fire station; $2.4 million for Barrier Reef TAFE in Townsville; $2.5 million for TAFE horticulture facilities in Toowoomba; $4 million for Wide Bay TAFE in Maryborough; $2.1 million for the Torres Strait primary health centre; $12.6 million towards the Cairns Base Hospital; $12.7 million for the Nambour Hospital, which recently did a great job with Peter Wellington and I thank them on behalf of all Queenslanders for that excellent job—it shows how well qualified the staff are and what a great hospital it is; $9.8 million for the Rockhampton Hospital; $19.8 million to finish the Townsville Hospital; $35.7 million for the PA Hospital; $12.2 million for the Gold Coast Hospital; $10.7 million for public housing in Fitzroy; $30 million for Aboriginal housing grants in the far north; $2.2 million for police headquarters in Roma; $4.3 million for Mount Isa police headquarters; $4.9 million for two police stations in Rockhampton and Rockhampton North; $6.2 million for the northern fisheries facility in Cairns; $300,000 towards a new ambulance station at Longreach; $400,000 to finish a new ambulance station at Helensvale; $3 million for the Turtle Interpretive Centre in Wide Bay; $4.8 million to begin extending the Mackay Courthouse; and $49.9 million towards the Maryborough Correctional Centre Those are just a few examples and the list goes on. These projects deliver full-time jobs to thousands of Queenslanders. Construction of the new office building in Cairns will create 240 person years of employment. The Suncorp Metway Stadium redevelopment will deliver 3,400 person years of employment. The Brisbane Magistrates Court development will provide 1,300 person years of employment. The Millennium Arts Project will provide 2,800 person years of employment. The Gold Coast Convention Centre will provide 2,800 jobs, and the list goes on. That does not include the thousands of workers in industries supplying those projects. Some self-appointed experts believe even more public capital works are needed, but they conveniently forget that the private sector is taking a bigger role in infrastructure development. Compared to the other states, we have a record amount in terms of expenditure and we are delivering. The $1.5 billion Millmerran power station is an example of traditional capital works expenditure that does not appear in the budget because it is being privately built by Intergen for the government. Optus built the $80 million Reeflink fibre optic cable, delivering cheaper broadband services right along the Queensland coast. A few weeks ago I opened an $800 million public/private power station at Callide, and only half of that expenditure appeared in the budget. We have public/private partnerships delivering record capital works for this state. We have to look at the total amount and that is why we lead Australia when it comes to capital works. The budget capital works statement is not the only indicator of the level of infrastructure development in the state. Increasingly it will be supplemented by private sector developments. That is a good thing, because it increases our capacity to deliver the infrastructure that the economy needs and the people want. 8 Aug 2001 Ministerial Statement 2311 Members must make no mistake: when it comes to infrastructure development, Queensland is way out in front and it will stay there. We are determined to continue delivering quality infrastructure right across the state, because every Queenslander counts. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Goodwill Games Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.39 a.m.), by leave: Today I announce that the Goodwill Games momentum is quickening—a fact highlighted by a number of points. It is expected that more than 50,000 people will be on hand to watch the free 2001 Goodwill triathlon on Sunday, 2 September. It will be necessary to close a number of streets in the city and South Brisbane. Road closures for this hugely popular event will be in place from 6 a.m., when athletes begin training, until about 3 p.m., when the course will be cleared. Just as happened in Sydney for the Olympic triathlon—with television footage of the magnificent harbour being beamed around the world—so, too, will our Brisbane River and inner city be seen worldwide, in 450 million homes or by a billion people worldwide, through CNN. This should be one of the most popular spectator events, both for those on site and for television viewers. Triathlon spectators are strongly advised to use public transport services, for which normal fares apply, as this is a non-ticket event—it is free. Train services are particularly encouraged, as the Queen Street Bus Station and bus station underpass will be closed during the triathlon. The men's race will be between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The women's race is between 11.15 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. There will be controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at various points around the course. I table a list of the road closures for that day in conjunction with that event for the information of the House, and I would be grateful if members would ensure that the people of Brisbane are aware of the detail. Today I also announce that Concept Sports, which has been appointed as the official on-site merchandiser for the Games, will be establishing an 800 square metre retail outlet to be known as The Superstore located in the cultural forecourt area at South Bank on the river. The Superstore will be a one-stop shop for all Goodwill Games merchandise, with in excess of 150 merchandise lines to be sold, ranging from lapel pins through to spray jackets, polo shirts and kids wear. The Superstore will be open from Saturday, 25 August through to Sunday, 9 September. In addition to The Superstore, Concept Sports will be operating outlets across all games venues. The 2001 Goodwill Games merchandise range is being sold across the Myer Store Brisbane City, which is the exclusive retailer of Goodwill Games apparel and souvenir items and plush toys in the Brisbane CBD, and the exclusive stockist of countdown pins.