Palaszczuk spruiks Queensland s future

Palaszczuk spruiks Queensland’s futureWith nation-leading surpluses, a growing population and rising business confidence, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk promises to invest in infrastructure and jobs.Speaking to a packed crowd of industry professionals at a Property Council lunch in Brisbane yesterday, the Queensland Premier said the state was forecast to achieve nation-leading surpluses of $6.9 billion over the next four years.Queensland, along with Western Australia, has most acutely felt the impact of the economy’s transition away from mining investment. Business, and the property industry in particular, has been advocating for planning and tax reform as well as major infrastructure investment to ensure future growth in the state.As the biggest contributor to gross state product and Queensland’s second biggest job creator, the property industry – with the introduction of the right policy settings – is well-placed to deliver the economic gains needed in the years ahead.Palaszczuk emphasised that her government is continuing a pipeline of investment with a $10.1 billion infrastructure program which is expected to directly support 27,0 jobs.The $59 million Catalyst Infrastructure Program, launched last week, will enable councils and private companies to apply for funding for road, water sewerage and other infrastructure, she said.The Premier hopes this will “kick-start important developments right across the state”.The government has also submitted 12 new infrastructure projects for Infrastructure Australia to consider, including stage two of the Gold Coast Light Rail, key road upgrades and a potential stadium and entertainment precinct in Townsville.Acknowledging the importance of a long-term vision, Palaszczuk promised to introduce a new planning bill into Parliament in November.”The draft Bill is built on the idea that planning matters because it results in more prosperous, sustainable and liveable cities,” she said, adding that it “is built with a firm focus on the future, and meeting the demands of our growing population.”Population growth in Queensland will be significant, with the state predicted to be home to an extra 2.4 million people by 2036. Most of those will reside in South East Queensland.Palaszczuk also recognised the property industry as an “important driver for growth in Queensland’s diversified economy”.In fact, the property sector contributes $33.8 billion to the Queensland economy – more than mining, healthcare or manufacturing – and accounts for 11.4 per cent of the state’s economic activity.The Property Council’s Queensland executive director Chris Mountford said the property industry employs 12 per cent of the total Queensland workforce.Previewing a new report to be launched by the Property Council in October, Mountford said the research also “reinforces the scale of the tax burden being borne by the property industry.” The property industry pays $9.9 billion to state and local governments through taxes, rates, fees and charges, or 49.8 per cent of all taxes.Mountford says the industry was encouraged by the Premier’s address, and called on her to “continue to drive progress so that our industry can play our part in creating prosperity, jobs and strong communities across Queensland.”