Wagner Corporation, Port of Brisbane CEO back final link in Inland Rail line from Toowoomba

The plan to develop a direct Inland Rail link from Toowoomba to the Port of Brisbane has been supported by one of the region’s top businessmen.

Port of Brisbane CEO Ray Cummins (left) meets with Wagner Corporation director Denis Wagner at Wellcamp Airport. Picture: Kevin Farmer

One of the Toowoomba region’s most powerful businessmen has backed a call from the Port of Brisbane to complete the final link in the multibillion-dollar Inland Rail project.

Wagner Corporation director Denis Wagner met with POB CEO Roy Cummins this week to discuss the company’s planned multi-modal freight hub at Wellcamp Airport.

Both men agreed connecting the massive upcoming freight rail project directly to the port was the most efficient way forward, and would result in increased economic activity for the region.

The comments come while the Queensland Government carries out a study into a direct link to the port from Acacia Ridge, where the Inland Rail is currently slated to end, thanks to funding from the Federal Government.

“The majority of the freight on Inland Rail will ultimately go through the port or from the port, so it is important to have an efficient link from the port to Wellcamp,” Mr Wagner said.

“If that’s a rail link, that’s great, or if it’s an efficient road link that’s fine as well in the short term.

“It doesn’t add a lot of value to run the Inland Rail to Acacia Ridge.

“There is no doubt that fast, efficient and cost-effective freight links are good for regional, state and national economies.”

Mr Cummins, whose company is expected to benefit greatly from a direct link to the port based on the findings of a report by Deloitte Access Economics, said Queensland would miss out on economic activity if a plan wasn’t developed.

“There have been delays, but we’re at a point where there is greater corporation between the two levels, particularly with the detailed business case,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of talking to this point, so it’s very important that we can get behind that business case, get one corridor to the port and have a project that can be seriously discussed.

“I think the POB has been consistent in the opinion, that we are supportive of Inland Rail but only if it’s done correctly.

“Toowoomba is perfectly placed to act as a catchment for those exports and agricultural commodities so they can be moved efficiently to the port, and that gives Queensland a competitive supply chain.”