Queensland announces major steel and housing infrastructure investments

The Queensland Government has announced significant investments aimed at strengthening the state's industrial base and housing infrastructure. Over $1.9 billion in proposed private investment is targeting three steel and manufacturing projects designed to bolster local steelmaking, recycling, and processing capacity. These projects include a $1.05 billion facility by Equest Steel at Pinkenba, a $640 million manufacturing facility by Future Forgeworks at Swanbank, and a $215 million redevelopment of the Sims Metal site at Pinkenba. These developments are expected to create more than 2,000 construction jobs and 550 operational roles, while reducing reliance on imported steel.

Additionally, the government is investing $55.5 million from the Residential Activation Fund to support housing infrastructure in Central Queensland. This funding will provide critical water, road, and sewer upgrades across four communities: Gracemere, Taroomball, Hidden Valley, and Theodore. These infrastructure improvements are intended to unlock land for residential development, potentially providing nearly 2,900 new homes for the region.