• The Palaszczuk Government Cabinet is set to meet on the Gold Coast on Monday 24 July, with a focus on the big build investments being delivered for the region
• More than $4.4 billion earmarked this budget for the Gold Coast region
• Showcase the good jobs, better services and great lifestyle of the Gold Coast

 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Cabinet Ministers will meet on the Gold Coast on Monday 24 July, as part of the fifth Community Cabinet – following visits to Maryborough, Townsville, Cairns and Redlands.

 

This is an opportunity for the Cabinet to engage with the Gold Coast community to learn more about the priorities and issues across the region, and to share plans.

 

The Premier also announced a plan to develop a Gold Coast community forum.

 

The forums will bring together residents, stakeholders, and Queensland Government representatives to identify opportunities to grow the local economy and to respond to emerging priorities. 

 

An expression of interest process, inviting local community representatives to become forum members, will be launched in the coming weeks, with the first meeting to occur before the end of this year.

 

Appointed forum members will have opportunities to engage with each other, industry, and government to make their communities even better places to live and work.

 

As one of the fastest growing regions in Queensland, the Government is committed to improving connectivity, access to health care and housing support, with more than $4.4 billion invested in the 2023 State Budget.

 

This includes:

 

• $2.3 billion invested in infrastructure, supporting approximately 6,500 jobs
• $2.1 billion for the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
• $89.7 million invested in education to maintain, improve and upgrade schools
• $65.7 million for social housing to expand and improve services
• $11.3 million for homelessness services, and
• $5.9 million for Skilling Queenslanders for Work to fund training opportunities.

 

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

 

“The Gold Coast is thriving and our government is getting right behind it.

 

“We are delivering the infrastructure this growing region needs through record investments in health, housing, education and transport.

 

“You can’t miss the army of hi-vis around the region – building a new satellite hospital, schools, ambulance stations and train stations, expanding the M1, extending the Light Rail and securing social housing for vulnerable Queenslanders.

 

“This Community Cabinet is an opportunity to hear directly from Gold Coasters and the local council on the issues that matter most, which will drive our investment agenda.

 

“We will continue this direct engagement and focus with a new community forum which will meet on the Gold Coast before the end the year.

 

“We work better when we work together, creating good jobs and delivering the services the Gold Coast needs.”

 

Quotes attributable to Gold Coast based Palaszczuk Government Minister and Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon:

 

“As a born and bred Gold Coaster I’ve always advocated for our community, but this serves as another opportunity to discuss the cities priorities and the challenges.

 

“The Palaszczuk Government is already delivering significant investment – whether that’s more hospitals, housing, schools the Second M1, M1 upgrades through to better public transport.

 

“This is a great chance for government to hear from our community about how we can support this growing city.”

 

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:

 

“As the second largest local government area in Australia, the Gold Coast is booming.

 

“More than 600,000 people already call this region home, and this number is expected to climb to about a million by 2041, if not more.

 

“We’ve investing in the infrastructure Gold Coast needs to continue to grow.

 

“In the lead up to 2032, when the whole world will be looking to Queensland, the Gold Coast will shine as one of the best places to visit, invest, live, work or raise a family.”

 

Quotes attributable to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman:

 

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to improving health services and outcomes across the Gold Coast.

 

“$2.1 billion is a massive investment and locals only have to look around to see our investments in action.

 

“The brand new Coomera Hospital will be a game-changer for this growing community and I’m looking forward to watching it come to life.”

 

State Government investments in the region:

 

• $1.3 billion to build the new Coomera Hospital, supporting 3,100 jobs.
• $200.8 million total spend on the Gold Coast University Hospital to deliver a Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit and a 4-storey ward building to increase inpatient capacity.
• More than $78 million in 2023-24 on the Satellite Hospital Program across seven sites, including Tugun Satellite Hospital, which includes a Minor Injuries and Illness Clinic, renal dialysis chairs, day medical chairs and consult and treatment rooms.
• $20.5 million total spend at Robina Hospital to replace the mobile duress system and refurbish the transit lounge into an Acute Care Unit.
• $5.5 million dollars to redevelop the Pimpama Ambulance Station.
• $6.5 million on the new Ormeau Ambulance Station.
• $4.8 million to upgrade the Palm Beach Community Health Centre.
• $55.3 million to build Gainsborough State School.
• $50.9 million to build Coomera State Special School.
• $14.3 million for additional learning spaces at Coombabah State High School.
• $1.2 billion for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3
• $2.16 billion Coomera Connector – doubling capacity over the Coomera and Nerang Rivers
• $1 billion Pacific Motorway M1 upgrade between Varsity Lakes and Tugun
• $82.1 million Yatala South M1 interchange upgrade
• $110.8 million Pimpama M1 interchange upgrade
• $500 million for three new train stations at Pimpama, Merrimac and Hope Island delivered by the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority
• Approximately 5,700 more children will be able to access free kindergarten services in the Gold Coast LGA in 2024 thanks to the Queensland Government’s investment in free kindy for children.
• $70.4 million for housing and homelessness in the region, including construction commencement on 260 new social homes by 2025.
• $96.2 million total spend statewide over four years to continue to deliver and expand the youth co-responder model supporting high risk young people.
• Gold Coast City Council received a funding allocation of $9,810,000 under the Queensland Government’s 2021–2024 South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program.
• Following the finalisation of The Spit Master Plan in 2019, the Queensland Government committed $60 million towards its implementation.
• During the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Gold Coast will host Triathlon, Aquatics (Swimming Marathon), Volleyball (preliminaries), Weightlifting, Beach Volleyball, Judo, Wrestling, Football (preliminaries), and host 3,900 athletes and officials.

 

Growth on the Gold Coast since coming to government:

 

• 1,670 extra nurses (increase of more than 60 per cent)
• 711 extra teachers (increase of more than 15 per cent)
• 405 extra doctors (increase of more than 44 per cent)
• 41 extra firefighters (increase of more than 16 per cent)

 

ENDS

 

Media Contact: Courtney Thompson - 0433 585 570