Toowoomba passenger rail business case to remain secret, won’t be finished until 2025

A $15m business case to explore whether Toowoomba would get a passenger rail line from Brisbane will remain secret, with completion now slated for 2025.

A business case on a planned Toowoomba passenger rail line might not be finished until 2025, much to the disappointment of Mayor Paul Antonio.

Toowoomba’s dream of a passenger rail to Brisbane could be derailed for years, with a $15m business case in any form unlikely to be released to taxpayers until 2025.

Mayor Paul Antonio and his mayoral colleagues in southeast Queensland are demanding answers after it was revealed the Toowoomba to Brisbane strategic report completed by the State Government this year won’t be made available.

Instead, it’s understood findings on the viability and costs of a new passenger route west will be unveiled in a detailed business case.

The Federal Government says this won’t be finalised until three years from now, with the date having been quietly changed on its website from “mid-2021” to “mid-2025” back in March.

This is dependent on the initial report determining it to be viable, which won’t be revealed to the public.

It’s also believed the delivery could be determined on how quickly the Inland Rail is built through Queensland.

Passenger rail, either fast or standard, was named the number one local project that needed to be advanced, according to Chronicle readers in a major new survey.

The business case was funded by the Federal Government in 2019, with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) carrying out the study.

Mr Antonio, who was influential in securing the funding through the Council of Mayors in South East Queensland (COMSEQ), said local government representatives had been left out of the conversation since then.

“It’s been quite disappointing that we’re not being briefed consistently — this will have the most profound impact on Toowoomba but we want the community involved,” he said.

“It disappointed me terribly that it was taken over by the State Government.

“We were very keen to have significant community involvement, but we’ve been kept out of the loop.”

Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan said passenger rail was essential for her growing community.

“Passenger rail has been a concern for my community, because once upon a time we had it,” she said.

“We’ve got an increasing young and older population, and passenger rail helps people maintain a good work life balance.”

Prominent passenger rail advocate Peter Achilles said he was disappointed to hear there could be delays.

“For 150 years Sydney has expanded to the Blue Mountains and Katoomba with rail access for commuters being a key driver,” he said.

“Toowoomba is the Katoomba of Queensland, but we need efficient rail services to provide the linkage and support for growth along the western corridor.”

A TMR spokeswoman said councils had been involved on a technical level, noting the findings from the preliminary report would inform whether the project advanced to the detailed phase.

“This will determine the merits, timing and options for improved passenger rail service connections in the Toowoomba to Brisbane corridor, leveraging the opportunity provided through delivery of the Inland Rail project,” the statement said.

“The preliminary findings of this work are being considered by government and will inform the next steps for the project, including whether the project proceeds to a detailed business case.

“TMR has led the technical investigations and engaged with all local governments within the study area to capture local planning, economic, environmental and social insights.

“TMR and (the Department of Infrastructure) have also jointly led several engagements with all mayors within the study area over the last 12 months.”

A spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development confirmed the full business case may not be completed until 2025.

“The Australian Government continues to work with the Queensland Government on the commitment to deliver the Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail Business Case,” the statement said.

“The Australian Government is currently considering the findings of a strategic business case, completed in early 2022.”

MAJORITY OF ELECTION CANDIDATES BACK PASSENGER RAIL

A majority of candidates running for Groom in the upcoming election have promised to fast-track passenger rail to Toowoomba, including both major parties.

Labor’s Gen Allpass (pictured) and sitting LNP member Garth Hamilton both backed the connection from Brisbane to Toowoomba, which has been discussed for years but is in danger of being bogged down in bureaucracy.

It comes as a new survey of more than 300 Groom voters revealed fast or passenger rail was the number one local project they wanted delivered by the next Federal Government.

This changes based on which candidate the respondent indicated support for, with likely voters of Ms Allpass, independents Suzie Holt and Kirstie Smolenski, the Greens’ Mickey Berry and United Australia Party’s Melissa Bannister also selecting it most often.

In contrast, supporters of Mr Hamilton and One Nation’s Grant Abraham preferred the delivery of a new dam or extra water security.

Mr Hamilton and Mr Abraham both said they supported the concept but wanted Inland Rail delivered first.

Ms Holt, Ms Smolenski and Ms Bannister all indicated support to some extent for a passenger rail line.

Berry was contacted for comment.

Gen Allpass (Labor)

There would be better consultation and dialogue between the Queensland and Federal Governments.

We need to stop all of this carry-on. I am strong supporter of having it. I believe I would be in the right position to lead that.

There should always be community consultation on projects like this and I would be seeking clarification on why this is not happening faster.

Garth Hamilton (LNP)

The key to securing passenger rail for our region is delivering Inland Rail.

That is why I’ve been pushing for this project to begin as soon as possible.

Melissa Bannister (United Australia Party)

I’m supportive of a passenger rail which will make Groom more accessible, improve road safety and importantly give people back time by making commuting easier.

There will need to be extensive community and local expert consultation to assess what impacts this will have on people’s property and determine the best plan.

Grant Abraham (One Nation)

My understanding is the first step is getting this Inland Rail sorted.

On a federal level, that’s something I could have some sway with.

I would definitely support it and get it up and going, I think it’s valuable to have that new connection to Brisbane - it’s long overdue.

Kirstie Smolenski (Ind)

I’ve done extensive consultations with the private sector, such as Wagner Corp’s plans.

They have a PPP proposal that with their business case, that they would be able to build the fast rail.

Hourly commuter trains between Toowoomba and Brisbane. It will be an absolute game-changer.

Fast rail would be what I would like to see first, if that can’t happen, the second best is the passenger rail.

Suzie Holt (Ind)

If elected, I would work with the alliance of councils, including Toowoomba, Ipswich and Lockyer to move this forward.

The major priority is that the community and the voices of locals would be a priority in that project.

The current proposal is under way and we should consider that and push that forward.

Ryan Otto (Australian Federation Party)

I support the rail, but one of the things the Australian Federation Party is doing is making sure these things have more community consultation, asking for expert advice and opinion.

I would be concerned about the routes being tossed around, they need to be managed to reduce the impact on locals.

Originally published as Toowoomba passenger rail business case to remain secret, won’t be finished until 2025