The cost of major rail and road projects in Queensland has almost doubled to $23.28 billion (US$15.9 billion).
The increase of $11.2 billion (US$7.6 billion) since June spans 32 projects in the state.
Just days after being sworn in, Transport Minister Bart Mellish has promised the cost of major projects will be revealed to Queenslanders twice a year.
“Basically what I know will be what you will know,” Mr. Mellish said on Dec. 22.
“We really want to make sure that we’re laying these costs on the table so that people know the true impact of these projects so that we can deliver them.”
Mr. Mellish’s transparency comes after criticism of his predecessor Mark Bailey.
The former transport minister came under fire last month for not revealing a $3.1 billion (US$2.1 billion) cost blowout on a rail project.
Mr. Bailey confirmed the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail’s new cost estimate of $5.75 billion (US$3.9 billion) only after it was published on a federal government website.
In August, Mr. Bailey apologised after a $2.4 million (US$1.6 million) blowout in another rail project was not featured in a press release, calling it a “stuff up.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie led calls for Mr. Bailey to be sacked.
Mr. Bailey stepped aside before Steven Miles took over the reins as premier last week from Annastacia Palaszczuk, with Mr. Mellish one of five new ministers in the revamped cabinet.
Another blowout revealed on Dec. 22 was the Pacific Motorway upgrade between Daisy Hill and the Logan Motorway, which is set to cost an extra $3.5 billion (US$2.4 billion).
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said increasing construction costs had contributed to the rise.
“Queenslanders who go to the petrol station and to the grocery store, they know the cost of everything has gone up,” Mr. Dick said.
“The cost of construction is the same.”
The government would work with the commonwealth to determine how they would meet the higher costs, he said.
The federal government will contribute $1.75 billon (US$1.2 billion) to the faster rail project.
