The Australian Government is delivering a $42 billion Nation Building—Economic Stimulus Plan to counteract the global financial crisis by supporting jobs and investing in future long-term economic growth.

In Queensland, federal funding is being provided for, among other things:

• school infrastructure
• public housing
• roads and rail

At the request of the Australian Government, all states have appointed a state coordinator as a single point of contact for all matters relating to the economic stimulus plan.

In Queensland, the program of work is being coordinated by the Department of Public Works.

All enquiries about the work program should be directed to:

• Economic Stimulus Plan Program Management Office
  Department of Public Works
  Free call: 1800 617 198

Queensland’s Coordinator-General is not the contact point.

Building the Education Revolution program

A key part of the economic stimulus plan is the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program.

The Queensland Government has amended the Integrated Planning Regulation 1998.

The amendment exempts development for BER-funded school building projects from assessment against local government planning schemes - provided certain criteria are met.

The Department of Infrastructure and Planning is overseeing the fast-tracked development assessment process.