Feds fund work on Inland Rail extension

The Federal Government has committed up to $10 million for a business case into extending the Inland Rail route from Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone. Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett hailed the announcement as great news for Gladstone and fantastic news for Central Queensland. "It brings the project one step closer to reality," he said. "This $10 million investment will add to our AEC economic analysis and prove what we've already known - connecting the Inland Rail project to the Port of Gladstone makes economic sense. "It's great to see the wheels are in motion and this is going to open up opportunities not just for Gladstone and the Banana Shire, but all of Central Queensland." Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said the government had listened to calls to explore the extension to the Port of Gladstone and this business case demonstrated its commitment to delivering for the regions. “The Deputy Prime Minister and I have consistently advocated for the extension of Inland Rail to Gladstone and this business case ensures that the idea is thoroughly tested," he said. “Our commitment also aligns with opportunities identified by Infrastructure Australia’s Priority List for the Port of Gladstone Sea and Land Upgrade initiative.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said extending Inland Rail from Toowoomba could deliver better rail connectivity to the Port of Gladstone and expand access to import and export markets for Australian businesses and industry. “Extending the line to Gladstone would ensure the benefits of this nation-building piece of infrastructure are felt farther and wider, creating more jobs during construction, supporting existing jobs in the region, and better connecting our resources industries and agricultural producers to another major export gateway," he said. “The connection to Gladstone would be in addition to our existing commitment to take Inland Rail to Brisbane.” The move to fund the business case comes after the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee last month delivered a report on the key infrastructure project under the damning title ‘derailed from the start’. The committee called for a thorough investigation into the Gladstone option. The report also highlighted the major cost blow-outs for the project, from an original estimated bill of $4.7 billion to current predictions that it will exceed $20 billion, and the fact the freight line’s intermodal terminal locations in Brisbane are yet to be determined. Inland Rail is the largest transport infrastructure project in the Coalition Government’s $110 billion infrastructure pipeline. At the peak of construction, more than 21,500 people will work on the project.

Feds fund work on Inland Rail extension

Industry Queensland

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