A Shorten Labor Government will inject a further $244 million into Townsville as part of our major infrastructure commitment to North Queensland.

Labor will invest $100 million to upgrade the Mount Isa to Townsville Rail Line.
 
Currently, the line does not have resilience to cater for the projected increase in demand for rail haulage from mines in the Mount Isa region to the Port of Townsville. It was recently closed due to major flooding, affecting businesses and jobs that rely on the line.
 
Labor will deliver strategic upgrades to the line and support the ongoing exploration and development of the North West Minerals Province, providing economic opportunities for many decades to come. There is potential in the province to access rare earth minerals which are used in mobile phones, fuel cells, superconducting magnets and electric vehicle batteries.
 
Labor’s focus on upgrading the western section of the line will improve the line’s capacity and better protect it from severe weather events like floods.
 
Labor is also committing to seeing the fifth and final stage of the Townsville Ring Road begin as early as next year – delivering greater jobs to the region and easing major congestion in the area.
 
As one of the busiest sections of the Bruce Highway, the Townsville Ring Road has over six kilometres of road which is single lane in both directions causing major congestion to Townsville locals and increasing freight costs.
 
A Shorten Labor Government will provide $144 million towards the final stage of the Townsville Ring Road and deliver an estimated 200 jobs to the region.
 
With this funding Labor will duplicate the road between Douglas and Bohle Plains, meaning the entire 36 kilometre Bruce Highway link through Townsville will be two lanes in both directions and the Ring Road will be accessible from Beck Drive.
 
This package adds to Labor’s previous major announcements including the $75 million Port Channel Widening, a new $200 million Burdekin Dam Hydro-Electricity generator and fully funding the second stage of Townsville’s water security. Labor has also announced support for investment in the Townsville Stadium. 
 
After nearly six years of LNP cuts and chaos, it will take a Shorten Labor Government to make the investments in North Queensland that will improve road safety, boost productivity and drive economic and jobs growth right across this dynamic region.