A Queensland group wants to see progression made on the Inland Rail plan
Toowoomba residents and members are urging the new federal government to fast track the completion of the Inland Rail project to benefit regional communities.
The Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) says it wants new prime minister Anthony Albanese to ensure that his government gets on with the task and stop stalling any new developments.
TSBE CEO Ali Davenport says she understands the reviews and studies are yet to be finalised, including the ARTC’s environmental impact statement.
But she still wants the Inland Rail project to be pulled into its next phase of construction.
“Our freight task is only increasing across Australia and without the Inland Rail the situation on our roads will become even worse,” Davenport says.
The Inland Rail projected is expected to deliver a $7.3 billion economic injection to Queensland while creating more than 7,000 jobs.
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Davenport says this will lower transport costs and create a whole new industry of transport and logistics for the Toowoomba region.
But the TSBE CEO also wants to see the Inland Rail travelling through regional destinations like Toowoomba to benefit these rural regions.
“It is critical that the route go via Toowoomba so that our agricultural sector has access to reliable freight transport, particularly for our primary producers,” Davenport says.
“Faster passage of goods to ports will reduce costs, ensuring our producers are more competitive nationally and internationally.”