Two major transport projects will result in the Queensland government's spend on infrastructure reaching levels not seen since the 2011 flood recovery.
But the Palaszczuk government is being accused of past underspending after revealing $45 billion over the next four years will be allocated for infrastructure in next month's budget, $2 billion more than last year.
And while the Cross River Rail and a long-awaited upgrade to the Pacific Motorway have been prioritised to target southeast Queensland's increasingly congested transport networks, no money will be allocated for the Sunshine Coast rail duplication.
"The federal government has made a small allocation of 50 per cent," Treasurer Jackie Trad told reporters on Sunday.
"But the money for that is not available for another four to five years, which makes it a bit of a gag, really."
Ms Trad said the balance between road and public transport investment had been struck, with almost $900 million committed to upgrading the M1.
The Cross River Rail would allow people to travel between the Gold Coast and Brisbane 20 minutes faster, she said.
"This will bust congestion not just on the M1, but also on the Bruce (highway)," Ms Trad said.
Ipswich, Caboolture and Logan hospitals are set for expansions, while Cairns Convention Centre will receive a face-lift.
The spending spree comes after the state's population hit the five million milestone last week as it grows at a rate 0.3 per cent higher than the national average.
The state opposition has claimed the government was "playing catch-up" in efforts to accommodate its 80,000 new residents every year, underspending around $3 billion per year over the last three years.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander revealed on Sunday a Liberal National Party government would prioritise roads overs public transport, promising more money than Labor for the M1 upgrade and $130 million to create six lanes from Caboolture to the Sunshine Coast's Caloundra.
He also committed to a parallel M1, saying it could be delivered for $250 million plus a matching federal funding commitment.
"The Gold Coast MPs have been saying for some time this is what's needed. It's now becoming desperate," Mr Mander said.
"It will be something we'll commit to in our first term of office."
Ms Trad said a second M1 was "something that is off in the never-never".
