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Staff Reporter
Ai Group has welcomed new initiatives by the Queensland government to invest money in railway transport infrastructure.
According to Ai Group director Matthew Martyn-Jones, the plans outlined in the Connecting SEQ 2031: A South East Queensland Integrated Regional Transport Plan (IRTP), were important for the long-term interests of the state's $224 billion economy.
The proposal featured 207 kilometres of new railway lines in South East Queensland (SEQ).
"Queensland businesses, whether they are in the construction sector or in the supply chain, stand to benefit significantly from this proposed pipeline of investment.
"We've seen rapid population growth in recent years and if this is to be sustained the implementation of a clear strategic plan is critical," he said.
"The [proposal] will not only create jobs and opportunities for Queensland industry, the extra capacity from congestion-busting rail projects is vital to boosting productivity and keeping SEQ moving.
"We are also very encouraged by the proposed 'ring road' system which will also significantly improve the current transport network."
Mr Martyn-Jones said in recent times, SEQ had been home to the largest regional infrastructure program in Australia but there had been challenges.
"Skills shortages are again looming and must be addressed, especially as the resources sector starts to kick-on again," he said.
According to Mr Martyn-Jones, funding such a "visionary blueprint" would only be feasible if both the government and the opposition continued down the path of asset privatisation.
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