North Queensland
Regional delivery — Queensland Budget 2025-26
Highlights
- •Townsville University Hospital expansion — at least 165 new beds
- •Palm Island multi-agency community safety facility ($27M)
- •Kirwan Health Campus expansion ($53.2M)
- •160 social homes in construction or under contract
- •New Kirwan police facility ($45M)
Capital works & projects
28 projects from the Regional Delivery Plan.
Source: Regional Delivery Plan. Not all projects have published amounts.
Region-specific budget initiatives
Three new hospitals at Toowoomba, Coomera and Bundaberg, plus expansions at ten existing hospitals, delivering more than 2,600 new beds across Queensland. The $18.526 billion Hospital Rescue Plan responds to growing demand from Queensland's increasing and ageing population. It also includes 186 public beds at Mater Hospital Springfield with an emergency department and intensive care unit.
Capital, total program cost. Year profile not separately disclosed in BP4 (amounts held centrally).
Free or cheaper hospital car parking so patients and visitors are not financially penalised when accessing care. The Hospital Car Parking Program receives $1.338 billion over four years to provide safe and affordable parking for patients, carers, visitors and hospital staff at new and existing hospitals across the state.
Capital, total over 4 years from 2025-26
Addresses maintenance backlogs in hospitals so facilities remain safe and functional. The $2.647 billion over five years (plus $200 million per year ongoing) funds maintenance, replacement and refurbishment of Queensland Health's existing assets. This responds to findings in the Queensland Audit Office Health 2024 report and the Sangster Review.
Capital, over 5 years from 2024-25 plus $200M per annum ongoing
Specialist schools for disengaged young people, providing education and support to keep them away from crime. The $50 million over four years funds Crime Prevention Schools that re-engage youth demonstrating high-risk behaviours.
General Government operating, total over 5 years from 2024-25 plus $10M per annum ongoing
Intensive programs in regional areas to intervene early with young people at risk of offending. The $50 million Regional Reset program over four years targets communities where youth crime is concentrated, providing structured activities and mentoring.
General Government operating, $12.5M per annum over 4 years from 2024-25
New and upgraded police stations at Burleigh Heads, Nambour, Logan Central, Mount Gravatt, Boondall, Ferny Grove, Redcliffe, Edmonton, Goodna and Palm Island. Land is also being acquired for future stations at Yarrabilba, Rainbow Beach and Caboolture West. The $277 million capital program replaces ageing facilities and serves growing communities.
Capital ($277M) plus operating ($10M) over 5 years from 2025-26 plus $3.3M per annum ongoing. The yearProfile covers 4 of 5 years (2025-26 to 2028-29, totalling $237M); the 5th year (2029-30, approximately $53.3M) falls outside the forward estimates window shown in BP4.
Local sporting clubs across Queensland get upgraded facilities like lighting, changerooms and playing surfaces. The $250 million Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program funds upgrades across more than 130 clubs and schools, from the $42 million Stage 1 Rockhampton Sports Precinct to smaller grants for cricket clubs, surf lifesaving clubs and netball associations.
General Government operating, 2025-26 budget year within total program. The $250M total includes expense ($225.8M) and capital components spread across multiple departments. The yearProfile covers only the primary expense allocation ($176.3M across 5 years); the remaining $73.7M comprises capital and cross-departmental components not separately profiled in BP4.
Connects the North West minerals province to the national electricity grid, unlocking mining and manufacturing investment in outback Queensland. The $2.4 billion CopperString transmission line project opens up the North West to reliable power supply for the first time.
Capital, $2.4B total investment referenced in BP1 p.13. Year-by-year profile delivered through government-owned corporation (Powerlink/CopperString), not broken out in General Government BP4 tables.
Statewide measures
Most budget measures are allocated statewide rather than to individual regions. The full budget overview lists all 87 tracked initiatives, many of which deliver services in North Queensland. The Regional Delivery Plan (linked below) details specific capital works and programs for this region.
Source document
Regional Delivery Plan — North Queensland (PDF)Last updated: 2026-05-26. Factual information from published budget documents.