The global financial crisis is impacting on the strength of Queensland’s economy.

The Queensland Government's priority during this time of unprecedented global economic hardship is to save jobs. The $4 billion being provided to the Queensland Government under the Australian Government’s Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan will provide an economic lifeline that will support around 30 000 jobs for Queenslanders, while creating lasting public infrastructure for the state.

Queensland schools – both state and non-state – will share in around $2.7 billion of federal funding over three years. This has the potential to benefit every school in Queensland. It will help provide modern, functional teaching spaces and at the same time support around 8000 jobs each year for the life of the program.

Public housing will benefit from an investment of around $1.2 billion of federal funding in Queensland which will increase the supply of affordable rental accommodation. Not only this, the housing component of the Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan will support over 2000 jobs each year over the life of the program. It will also provide an opportunity to look at the energy efficiency of our existing social housing infrastructure and incorporate higher levels of energy efficiency in our new dwellings.

Around $100 million has also been provided to improve the state’s roads, including repairs and maintenance to regional roads and the provision of signals and boom gates to over 60 high risk level crossings.

These projects are in addition to the Queensland Government’s own triennial $17 billion capital development program.

Builders, subcontractors and consultants big and small will be able to take advantage of the Australian Government’s package.

We want local workers to get jobs in their local areas. There are jobs for project managers, architects, building designers, engineers, quantity surveyors and a range of trades including carpenters, bricklayers and plumbers.

The Department of Public Works will work with other state government agencies to coordinate the stimulus package in Queensland on behalf of the Australian Government.

To be eligible to tender for work around the state, contractors and consultants must first pre-qualify or register with the Department of Public Works.

I hope you will find this website a valuable way to keep up to date with the implementation of the Australian Government’s Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan in Queensland.

Robert Schwarten MP
Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology