June 24, 2025
The 2025-25 State Budget, handed down by Treasurer David Janetzki in State Parliament on Tuesday, contains some new projects for the South Burnett as well as funding for some that have previously been announced – or in some cases – almost completed.
Highlights include:
- $2.5 million to buy land for a new Kingaroy Fire Station
- Funding to progress planning for the long-discussed Barlil Weir on Barambah Creek
- Planning for Murgon Hospital as part of the State Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan
- $200,000 to repair and replace roadways at the Cherbourg Council Depot
- $1 million to replace the rural fire brigade station at Bell
- New housing for government employees, including 11 homes in Kingaroy and three in Murgon
Other local projects named in the Budget papers include:
- $5.9 million to construct a new helipad at Kingaroy Hospital
- $150,000 for a new skate park in Wooroolin
- $100,000 for the Wondai Art Gallery extension
- $3 million for the Buwu Program at Cherbourg State School
- $25.6 million to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the Cherbourg community by upgrading its ageing treatment and distribution infrastructure (delivered in partnership with the Federal Government)
There has also been a focus on youth crime issues, including:
- $215 million for new early intervention programs to divert at-risk youth from a life of crime
- $225 million for the Staying On Track rehabilitation program, with intensive rehabilitation for 12 months after detention
- $40 million for two Youth Justice Schools for children on youth justice orders
- $80 million for two Circuit Breaker Sentencing programs, a court-ordered intensive rehabilitation program as an alternative to detention
- $75 million over four years for youth co-response models and initiatives to target crime hotspots across the State
A total of $100 million has been allocated to the Country Roads Connect program to boost the safety and flood resilience of regional unsealed roads across Queensland.
Extra funding of $10.7 million over five years – and $2.6 million per year – has been earmarked to establish the Mining and Resources Coroner to investigate fatal accidents on Queensland mine and quarry sites.
Queensland Police will receive:
- $47.7 million over two years to buy more than 6500 Taser 10s
- Every police district will receive $4.6 million during the 2025-26 financial year alone for tyre deflation devices, a key response tactic for stolen car youth crime
- $41.5 million over five years for upgrading Body Worn Cameras
Primary industry support will include:
- $60.9 million over five years on biosecurity, including 100 extra frontline officers and regional action plans to manage invasive species, including feral pigs and varroa mite
- $51.9 million over four years to support the Farm Business Resilience Program, Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program and Drought Preparedness Grants.
- $24 million over two years to deliver aerial Fire Ant Suppression activities
- $4.5 million over two years for Beef 2027 at Rockhampton
The State Government has promised more health workers for the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, with extra funding to increase the workforce to 5797 (full-time equivalent positions).
The Budget also allocates funding for 326 social homes in construction or under contract across the Darling Downs, in partnership with the Federal Government.
Other items mentioned are ongoing funding, eg. maintenance at the Tarong Power Stations and Meandu Mine; $4.4 billion for the Paradise Dam rebuild as well as continued funding for the new Toowoomba Hospital, the Borumba Dam pumped hydro project and Stages 1 and 2 of the Wambo Wind Farm.
[UPDATED]
Wasn’t 7.5 million promised for the fire station?
It appears that this funding is to buy the land for the project, not to construct the actual building.