More construction jobs are likely to be lost unless infrastructure spending is prioritised after the Queensland election, an industry body has warned.

The Civil Contractors Federation Queensland (CCFQ) said an industry survey found turnover fell $12 billion in the past financial year while the workforce shrank by 26 per cent.

"What we're looking for is the government to turn the pipeline on again," CCFQ spokesman Robert Row said.

"The current state government has had a plan to reduce debt, we understand that but what we do need from whoever the state government is going forward is a commitment to turn back on the infrastructure pipeline."

Premier Campbell Newman with his ministers in Townsville. ( ABC News: Chris O'Brien )

The message comes as the LNP makes two big ticket election infrastructure promises today - the first, to put $150 million towards a new stadium and retail precinct in south Townsville; and the other, a $170 million upgrade to the Gateway and Pacific motorways near Brisbane.

Labor made its own spending announcement this morning - $100 million over five years in a bid to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Premier Campbell Newman, speaking in Townsville, said that if re-elected the LNP would create a priority development area over the rail yards site and neighbouring land for a new master planned precinct, which would include a new stadium.

"We will see over the years to come a fantastic stadium and around that retail, residential, commercial and all sorts of vibrant community activities," Mr Newman said.

"This will be the remaking of Townsville and it will take the city forward for the next 30 years."

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the proposed upgrade to the Gateway and Pacific motorways near Eight Mile Plains would would be funded by proposed asset leases.

"Not only are we seeing an extra two southern lanes as part of this, there'll also be a lengthening of the existing busway, and an extra 350 park and ride spaces for passengers," Mr Emerson said.

"That's helping public transport users as well as motorists.

"This is a notorious black spot for congestion, we're determined to fix it."

Both proposed LNP projects were to be funded by the LNP's $8.6 billion asset leasing plan.

Labor proposes $100 million for Great Barrier Reef protection

A Queensland Labor government would commit $100 million over five years to better protect the Great Barrier Reef, Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said in Cairns.

Labor MP Jackie Trad with Annastacia Palaszczuk on Green Island. ( ABC News: Leonie Mellor )

Ms Palaszczuk said a state Labor government would invest $20 million each year to improve water quality within the reef area as well as create a high-level taskforce of key stakeholders and fight for increased federal government funding.

She said the health of the Great Barrier Reef had attracted international attention.

"Australia faces the real possibility that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will decide to officially list the reef as 'in danger' in 2015," she said.

"It's clear that the Newman Government does not recognise the scale of the problems confronting the Great Barrier Reef and only Labor will act decisively to protect it for future generations."

Labor said it would also reduce nitrogen run-off by up to 80 per cent in key catchments by 2025 and form a high-level taskforce to determine the best approach to meeting targets.

Labor will release its economic plan on Friday, but not the costings for its election pledges.

Meanwhile Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who spent the morning in southern Queensland, said Mr Newman "doesn't have the ticker" to stand up to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

"Now more than ever, Queensland needs a government that will stand up to Tony Abbott," Mr Shorten said.

Federal Coalition MPs from Queensland previously denied the Federal Government's unpopularity will be a drag on their state LNP counterparts in the run-up to this month's state election.

"That's why they're keeping Tony Abbott away from Queensland to pretend that there is no relationship between the two," Mr Shorten said.