Government announcement warmly welcomed by economic development group

From TSBE CEO, Ali Davenport: 

TSBE have been advocating to all levels of Government to fast track shovel-ready infrastructure projects and provide quick approvals in order to get our economy moving post-COVID.

Therefore, it is pleasing to hear the announcement from the Federal Government that pre-feasibility studies will be advanced for 20 proposals under the first round of expressions of interest for the Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program.

Four of these projects that are linked to Inland Rail across the Darling Downs.

One of these projects was a proposal submitted by TSBE members InterLinkSQ and Seaway, who will develop the South West Intermodal Project.

The proposal has the potential to provide a cost-effective and efficient freight service offering throughout the downs.

It will investigate full utilisation of the existing logistics network to ensure all regions adjoining the inland rail route access.

This will ensure that producers and manufacturers within (km radius) will be able to lower freight costs and have boarder access to markets.

This would include the construction of a new rail siding and a primary regional aggregation and distribution centre (hub) in Toowoomba.

Another rail project proposal to be further developed was submitted by the Toowoomba Regional Council, which is a proposal to construct a rail provisioning/maintenance centre for Inland Rail operations at strategic locations within the Toowoomba region.

The proposal has the potential to maximise economic benefits for rural townships, for example the southern township of Millmerran.

Two more rail proposals got the green light to go to the next stage were submitted on behalf of the Toowoomba Regional Council and the Darling Downs and South West Queensland (DDSWQ) Council of Mayors.

One proposal is to investigate additional rail connections to the existing South West Rail System at Yelarbon and Southbrook.

The proposal has the potential to improve rail connections to Inland Rail to accommodate heavy agricultural, mining, and bulk commodity loads from the west, and to minimise the need for both road and rail freight loads through the city of Toowoomba.

The other proposal is to upgrade and reopen the existing Western/West Moreton Rail System and the South West Rail System.

The proposal has the potential to maximise the benefits of Inland Rail through upgrading existing rail systems to accommodate the same loads as Inland Rail and revitalising these lines through cost-effective integration.

Australia’s freight rail network is playing a crucial role in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring communities can access essential supplies and helping Australian exporters transport products to their point of export. 

The demand for freight services across its national network has increased as consumer demand for grocery items rose as did the use of online shopping.

Therefore, approval from the Federal government to approve further funding to support detailed design work on infrastructure projects on top of the Inland rail project is encouraging for the future of freight and jobs in our region.

Inland Rail is such an important project to this region because it’s the final piece in the puzzle for Toowoomba not just for the construction jobs, but to build on future jobs that transport and logistics hub will bring. 

There’s air transport with the Wellcamp Airport and road via the Toowoomba Bypass and Inland Rail will provide the vital connection for rail freight.

There is no better time to understand why this this infrastructure is so important for the growth of our region.