Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley councils call for new report into passenger rail from Brisbane
Toowoomba's mayor has called for a new study into extending Brisbane's rail network west, with residents overwhelmingly backing the 50c fare proposal.
50c train fares from Toowoomba to Brisbane? Geoff McDonald wants to see it happen by 2032 — and so do residents as well.
The Toowoomba mayor and his Lockyer Valley counterpart Tanya Milligan have renewed calls for the Queensland government to re-examine extending Brisbane’s passenger rail network to the base of the Toowoomba range.
The joint declaration to transport minister Brent Mickelberg comes after Mr McDonald pitched the idea to Brisbane Olympics Games organisers at the Toowoomba Showgrounds last week.
While fast rail and the concept of a 45-minute region appears to be at long odds, polling by News Corp has revealed residents are overwhelmingly supportive of connecting Toowoomba to Brisbane’s CBD by extending the Rosewood line to Withcott, with 97 per cent of people polled on social media backing the idea.
In the statement, Mr McDonald said the government needed to fund another detailed study into a “staged extension” of the passenger line.
A new study would follow a previous $15m investigation by the former Labor government, which was quietly shuffled out prior to last year’s state election.
“One option in the report considered using the existing Queensland Rail network from Helidon to Brisbane, with an interchange to a connecting bus service between Helidon and Toowoomba,” Mr McDonald said.
“Toowoomba and Lockyer believe another option has merit and warrants serious consideration.
“This involves extending rail from Helidon to Withcott in the first stage of a longer-term project to deliver a passenger rail service to Toowoomba city.
“A staged approach has the potential to unlock the benefits of better connectivity earlier for communities east of Toowoomba while laying the groundwork for a future full rail passenger service.”
Mr McDonald said the LNP’s decision to continue Labor’s 50c fare offer on Translink services had been a game-changer.
“We consider now is the time to commission a detailed rail study to examine this staged approach, with a focus on delivering better public transport outcomes for the whole of southeast Queensland,” he said.
“The extension of 50 cent rail services to our regions will open more opportunities for business, tourism and overall economic benefits for people along the route. It would allow people to commute between Toowoomba and Brisbane for work, health and social visits.
“The Toowoomba region and the growing western corridor through the Lockyer Valley extending to Ipswich deserve a passenger rail that will deliver services into the future. population growth will only continue to drive demand.”
Mr McDonald was contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley councils call for new report into passenger rail from Brisbane
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