General News
30 June, 2026
Airport bus connection
THE Queensland Government says its 2026-27 budget is delivering better services through a stronger economy, building Queensland’s future and making Queensland safer.
“The budget strengthens the foundations for a fresh start for the Far North with more police, the Cairns Hospital expansion, Bruce Highway upgrades, a new Barron River Bridge and more ecotourism,” it says.
Premier David Crisafulli said the budget was strengthening the foundations for a fresh start for the Far North region.
“We are continuing to deliver a fresh start for the Far North, addressing the crises we inherited in youth crime, health, housing and cost of living, as well as delivering the local community initiatives we promised,” he said.
“We are delivering better services through a stronger economy with relief Far North Queenslanders can rely on, including the $150 Back to School Boost, Play On! sports vouchers, a boost to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme and a budget that passes on power price savings in full to Ergon customers in the Crisafulli government’s energy roadmap price drop.
Key items include:
A new CT scanner and MRI at the Cairns South health facility
Eight new youth mental health beds at Cairns Hospital
Upgrades to Machans Beach Hall, the Stratford Bowls Club, the Holloways Beach Community Hall, Yorkey’s Knob Community Hall, Koah Hall and Kuranda Hall
A new bus service with 50 cent fares between the city and airport
Delivering upgrades to the Cairns Western Arterial Road
A new Barron River bridge at Kuranda.
Barron River MP Bree James said, as well as the airport bus service, there would be a $2 million shared path connecting Ryan Weir Park to Brinsmead Freshwater and Stratford, maintenance and upgrades at local schools, including Freshwater, Kuranda and Redlynch – nine schools in total.
“So, we are continuing funding for key infrastructure projects across the region, including major upgrades to the Captain Cook Highway, Kennedy Highway and Kuranda Range, and of course, the Western Arterial Road is in the budget, which is great news,” she said in a Facebook video.
But Ms James admits she doesn’t know the details yet.
“There is a lot more in the budget, though, to unpack. I’ve got a lot of reading to do ... but I’ll have more to say over the coming days,” she said.
“Cost of living measures include a reduction in energy costs delivered through our energy roadmap, which is really important for Far North Queensland, our back to school boost is also really exciting.”
Ms James said play-on sports vouchers and permanent 50 cent bus fares were all locked in.
