June 23, 2026
The 2026-27 State Budget, handed down by Treasurer David Janetzki in State Parliament on Tuesday, contains funding for several new projects in the South Burnett region, as well as ongoing funding for existing infrastructure.
Some of these projects have been previously announced, but the allocation of funding confirms their transition to reality could begin soon.
Sunwater will continue its planning works for the construction of the Barlil Weir, on Barambah Creek, with an allocation of $9.56 million for 2026-27.
Ecological and cultural surveys for this project have already begun, as well as geotechnical investigations and work to secure planning and environmental approvals.
In total, the Budget provides $20.7 million for the Barlil Weir, in the South Burnett, and the Cooranga Weir, in the North Burnett.
Expressions of interest to supply goods or services to these projects are now open on the Gateway ICN website.
The Queensland Fire Department has been allocated $10.157 million to begin construction of the new Kingaroy Fire Station in Barron Park Drive, $4.8 for a new Rural Fire Service station at Mt Binga and two allocations of $1.028 and $4.8 million to complete projects in the Linville area.
At Cherbourg, the State Government has allocated $20.578 million towards a joint project with the Federal Government to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the Cherbourg community by upgrading its ageing water treatment and distribution infrastructure.
Education Queensland has been allocated $2.879 million for a new building at Cherbourg State School to house the Buwu program, an alternative educational initiative designed to keep suspended students engaged in learning and develop positive behaviours.
Energy Queensland has been allocated $4.246 million to continue its $17.3 million program to replace assets in the Kingaroy area.
The Darling Downs Hospital and Heath Service will assist planning activities being undertaken by Health Infrastructure Queensland for a facility uplift at Murgon Hospital.
Planning work will also continue for the upgrade of the Back Creek Bridge at Cooyar.
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Funding has also been allocated for regular maintenance and asset replacements at the Tarong Power Stations and Meandu mine:
Tarong Power Stations
- Major refurbishment and upgrades to generation units at Tarong Power Station: $83,172,000
- Replacement, refurbishment and upgrades to minor assets at Tarong Power Station: $39,141,00
- Refurbishment of the Unit 1/2 and 3/4 cooling towers at Tarong Power Station: $4,636,000
- Rewind of the Tarong North stator to ensure safe and reliable operation of the generating unit into the future: $12,620,000
- Service and maintenance of renewable projects within the Southern and Central renewable energy zones and projects at the Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub: $2,596,000
- Replace the control system at Tarong Power Station: $16,506,000
- Upgrade the ash slurry pumping and return water system to maintain compliant handling operations at Tarong Power Station: $7,950,000
Meandu Coal Mine
- Program of capital works to further develop the Meandu Mine: $340,000
- Replacement, refurbishment and upgrades to minor assets: $37,649,000
- Overhaul the dragline: $190,000
- Capital to replace trucks and earth moving plant: $43,700,000
- Program of capital works for fleet ancillary equipment: $7,200,000
- Right of use lease assets: $19,794,000
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The Queensland Reconstruction Authority has been allocated $1.523 billion for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to be paid to eligible local councils across Queensland for reconstruction, betterment and other projects relating to natural disaster events between 2021 and 2025.
As well, the State Government has promised faster payments from the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme through system upgrades as well as a 45c/km fuel subsidy.
The Budget also allocates $100 million to the Country Roads Connect program to delivering upgrades to various unsealed regional roads in Queensland.
As previously announced, Ergon will pass on savings to regional Queenslanders with a price drop of about 7 per cent for households and 8 per cent for small businesses from July 1.
