Minister also gauges progress on Toowoomba Second Range Crossing
Federal infrastructure minister Michael McCormack has made public his support for the proposed Queensland intermodal transport and logistics hub InterLinkSQ.
McCormack made what the hub firm describes as a surprise visit to the site, 13km west of Toowoomba, when visiting the region with federal regional development minister and local MP John McVeigh.
“We only had short notice that the acting prime minister was coming to the region and we are thrilled that he chose to visit out site,” InterLinkSQ general manager Blair Batts says.
“It was an honour to host the visit and to learn that the acting prime minister has a clear understanding of what we are doing and what it means to the region.
“To have him say that it was an exciting project is a real boost to us with so much else going on as we prepare for the completion of the tunnel-lowering between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
“The recognition of the Minister for Regional Development, John McVeigh, of the need to support the fast tracking of the Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane Port Rail Shuttle is crucial to the shifting of freight off increasingly congested roads and on to rail.
“This links closely with the recent announcement of funding by the Federal Government of a $1.5 million study that will examine ways to enhance freight rail connections to the Port of Brisbane.
“There has already been multi-million-dollar investment in NSW and Victoria to provide the early development of port shuttles and we look forward to similar investments in Queensland by both the Commonwealth and State governments.
“Clearly rail has to play its part in the future of freight transport on the ‘eastern seaboard’, working closely with road transport to facilitate the path of least resistance in the freight supply chain.”
Betts sees the visit and McCormack’s positive take on the hub project
“InterLinkSQ thanks the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure as well as the Minister for Regional Development for their visit, and for the enthusiasm they are showing for what InterLinkSQ is doing, and will do in the future, for Toowoomba and surrounds.
“As well as reducing heavy freight traffic on our roads, InterLinkSQ will help create new jobs and industry in the region.
“There is much good that can be achieved when Government and private industry work together.”
McCormack was there to also view planned flood mitigation works in response to the disastrous 2011 floods along with the accident-prone Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project, where the New England Highway is due to be disrupted next month due to drilling work.
“Toowoomba is undergoing a transformation as a regional centre,” McCormack says.
“The Liberals and Nationals are continuing to deliver the road, rail and air infrastructure our regions need.”