AHEAD of the State Budget being handed down tomorrow, Ipswich’s four Labor state MPs have united calling on the Crisafulli Government to deliver significant infrastructure investment to keep pace with the region’s rapid growth.
Members Lance McCallum (Bundamba), Jennifer Howard (Ipswich), Wendy Bourne (Ipswich West) and Charis Mullen (Jordan) said the upcoming Budget represents a critical opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions.
At the top of their wish list are major road upgrades, public transport improvements, new social housing projects and investment in community sporting infrastructure.
Centenary Motorway upgrades have emerged as a key priority, with the MPs arguing congestion is worsening as population growth continues to outstrip infrastructure delivery.
Bundamba MP Lance McCallum said Ipswich residents were spending increasing amounts of time stuck in traffic and called on the government to fund long-planned improvements.
“Ipswich is the fastest-growing city in the state, but the government hasn’t kept pace by investing in our roads, public transport, housing, health and education,” Mr McCallum said.
“The planning work has already been done on the Centenary and it’s time for the Premier to get on with the job, fund the upgrades and get locals moving.”
Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard said motorists across Ipswich and Brisbane’s western suburbs were feeling the impact of mounting congestion every day.
“We need a concrete plan on capacity upgrades from the LNP, and it starts in this Budget with funding for a masterplan that identifies priority projects and the funding required,” she said.
The MPs are also seeking commitments for the Amberley Interchange, Mount Crosby Road Interchange and upgrades to the Warrego Highway.
Public transport remains another major focus, with calls for funding to progress the next stages of the Ipswich Bus Improvement Program and certainty around the future of the proposed Ipswich-to-Springfield rail line.
Mr McCallum said there were concerns about delays to future stages of the bus network expansion.
Ms Howard said the government needed to provide clarity on the next steps for the Ipswich-to-Springfield rail corridor.
“It has been nearly 12 months of silence from the LNP Government on the Ipswich to Springfield Train Line,” she said.
“The preliminary evaluation has been finalised. It is now time for funding for a business case to be confirmed and for continued progress on this vital public transport corridor.”
Jordan MP Charis Mullen echoed those concerns, saying local commuters had embraced improvements delivered through Stage 1 of the Ipswich Bus Improvement Program and were now looking for further investment.
“This Budget is an opportunity for the Government to get stages two and three moving without further delay,” she said.
Housing affordability and social housing supply also feature prominently among the MPs’ Budget priorities.
Ms Howard said demand for social housing continued to rise across Ipswich and warned further delays would place greater pressure on vulnerable residents.
“We see the tragic effects of the lack of affordable housing on a daily basis, and we need action from the government without further delay,” she said.
The MPs are calling for new social housing projects across the region, along with continued maintenance and upgrades to existing housing stock.
Investment in community sport is also being sought, including funding for a synthetic athletics track for Ipswich.
Ms Howard said the city’s young athletes deserved modern facilities capable of supporting local talent.
“Ipswich produces world-class talent, and it is time this Government supported our young athletes with a training facility that is safe and modern,” she said.
Ipswich West MP Wendy Bourne said the Budget would be an important test of the government’s commitment to the western growth corridor.
“If the Crisafulli Government is serious about delivering for Queensland, then this Budget is an opportunity to start delivering for the western corridor,” she said.
“Our region is growing rapidly, and local families deserve the infrastructure investment to match.”
