MINISTER for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan said the budget reconfirmed the $7 billion for major infrastructure projects to the north.
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The budget delivers on ongoing funding for large infrastructure projects across several years, his office clarified.
“This is a year to continue our delivery on the agenda to develop the north,” Mr Canavan said.
“The Coalition is getting on with the job of developing Northern Australia and I am passionate about boosting jobs and economic development in communities across the north.
“Major funding is planned for infrastructure related projects that will not only boost employment and economic activity in northern Australia but also strengthen the national economy. Developing northern Australia is good for the whole nation.”
Mr Canavan said he wanted more jobs created for families in northern Australia. He said that “sizeable funds” will flow to cities and towns in the north in the next financial year, boosting the economy.
Funding confirmed included the $5 billion in concessional loans from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, $600 million from the Northern Australia Roads Programme, $170 million for water related projects, $147 million for the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor, and $100 million for the Beef Roads Programme.
Mr Canavan said the federal government was also investing into Townsville by spending $100 million to help fund the new rugby league stadium, and $147 million for the eastern access rail corridor.
“This is an eight-kilometre rail freight line that will connect the North Coast Line directly into the Port of Townsville, and it’s important to the economic growth of Townsville, local jobs and the export capabilities of our country,” he said.
Mr Canavan said that $307 million had been committed for water infrastructure projects.
More than half of that was to be spent in northern Australia.
The bulk of that funding would be used for half of Rookwood Weir on the Fitzroy River, near Rockhampton.
Another $40 million would be spent on feasibility studies for two projects in the Northern Territory, five in Western Australia, and 10 in Queensland.
There is a further $193 million for states that apply for nation building water infrastructure projects.
“Of course, across Government, there are further large investments in northern Australia. For example, we are jointly investing with the Queensland Government $2 billion in funding for the Reef 2050 Plan over the next decade.
