Leaders push for 'simple' new train-bus link to connect Toowoomba and Brisbane

A 'simple' solution to link Brisbane and Toowoomba by passenger rail has emerged, with plans for a major transport interchange that could unlock the long-awaited project.

Passengers could catch a train from the Brisbane CBD to Withcott before being able to move seamlessly onto a bus to Toowoomba, as part of an ambitious but “simple” new plan being pushed by the region’s leaders.

The Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley councils have thrown their support behind creating a new intermodal public transport hub at the foot of the mountain.

The proposal, dubbed The Range by mayor Geoff McDonald, would be modelled on the Sunshine Coast’s legacy project called The Wave that will link its fast rail to metro train and bus services at key stations.

'The Wave' rail project for Brisbane 2032 Olympics revealed, The Sunshine Coast will be connected with seamless public transport from Beerwah through to the Sunshine Coast Airport, with a major new rail and metro connection, The Wave.

The proposal, which was not explored in-depth as part of a $15m passenger rail business case that was released by the previous state government last year, would extend the current Brisbane line to Rosewood, through the Lockyer Valley and end at Withcott.

It is expected to be discussed at a special rail summit next week, hosted by News Corp and the Toowoomba council.

Proponents have pointed out it did not require either tunnelling or climbing the Toowoomba Range, or relying on the developing of the troubled Inland Rail project.

“We maintain and have pushed for something similar to what the state government has done for the Sunshine Coast with the rail connected into what’s called the Wave, which is effectively a co-ordinated bus-rail service,” Mr McDonald said.

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald believes “The Range” could unlock passenger rail to Brisbane. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We maintain that having a terminus at Withcott for a period of time until a tunnel is built through the range for the inland rail, which could be many decades away, is (viable).

“Therefore, we do feel that a solution should be found for a regular, on-time passenger service that links Toowoomba to Brisbane, albeit a co-ordinated service with perhaps something like the Range instead of the Wave, something that can work for people travelling both ways.

“It’s probably the fifth option and an option that hasn’t been spoken about and that’s predicated on a lot of the studies that have been done in the past.”

Groom MP Garth Hamilton, who delivered rail projects in his previous career as an engineer, said The Range at Withcott was not only cost-effective but could be easily upgraded in the future.

Aerial of Toowoomba 2008: Withcott is a small community located on the Warrego Highway at the bottom of the Toowoomba range. The Chronicle Archives

“With any piece of infrastructure, it’s what its future use is, and I think this is going to be a future that sees increased use,” he said.

“This is going to be a growing region, so the only real challenge is making sure the infrastructure is capable to expand over time, and that’s not a problem in rail, it really isn’t.

“The big point is, there’s nothing from an engineering point of view that should make this a difficult project whatsoever — that option is very, very simple.”

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise executive director Dr John McVeigh, who been elected to all three levels of government during his political career, also wanted the state government consider funding a business case for The Range.

“Some years ago in a previous role that I held, I secured $15 million for a feasibility study around Brisbane to Toowoomba passenger rail,” he said.

“Disappointingly, that was kept under wraps for many years after I left that role.

“It’s time to dust that off properly, update it, and focus, as our mayor Geoff McDonald has suggested, on an appropriate, sensible, logical passenger rail solution for Toowoomba to Brisbane.”