Local governments have welcomed the prospect of thousands of new jobs from new measures in Queensland.

The latest Queensland state budget includes a commitment to the Works for Queensland program and a funding package for South East Queensland (SEQ) councils.

The Budget includes $200 million for Works for Queensland, $50 million in economic stimulus for SEQ councils and $280 million over four years for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson has welcomed the funding commitments.

“Queensland councils, as the grass roots level of government, are at the centre of the State’s economic recovery,” Cr Jamieson said.

“Local government knows where job-creating stimulus needs to be spent and how to spend it to ensure it makes the biggest impact.

“This has been proven through the success of the Works for Queensland program which, combined with the special COVID-19 allocations announced in response to the LGAQ’s Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities, has created more than 26,000 jobs while at the same time delivering local communities the infrastructure they need.

“This Budget commitment will mean this critical stimulus funding will continue to create jobs where they are needed most, from the Cape to Coolangatta."

Cr Jamieson said the LGAQ and its member councils would continue to advocate for funding for other critical programs like a $500 million program to guarantee safe drinking water for rural towns across Queensland, and a 10 per cent increase to State Government Financial Aid (SGFA) to First Nations Councils.