Government tight-lipped on Range crossing business case

THE State Government is refusing to make public the new Toowoomba second Range crossing business case despite touting it at every possible opportunity.

The proposed second Range crossing has been a political football for the past three decades. Picture: Kevin Farmer

THE State Government is refusing to make public the new Toowoomba second Range crossing business case despite touting it at every possible opportunity.

The report was compiled by Projects Queensland and was handed to the State Government for its consideration last November.

After sweeping into power last year, the State Government was quick to announce the Range crossing was one of Queensland's top infrastructure priorities, along with the 1700km long Bruce Hwy which runs from Brisbane to Cairns through several key LNP electorates.

A spokeswoman for Acting Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Tim Nicholls said the Range crossing was still high on the priority list but would not disclose whether it was the number one priority.

"The Toowoomba second Range crossing remains one of the Newman Governments top infrastructure priorities, along with the Bruce Hwy," she said.

"One of the government's election commitments was to revise the business case to secure Commonwealth support for the project.

"This is now complete and has been forwarded to Infrastructure Australia for its inclusion in its infrastructure priority list and assessment."

A government source, who has seen the business case, hinted to The Chronicle that if the Range crossing was to be built it would be a "bare-bones" version.

They said it was "highly unlikely" the State Government would make a move until the outcome of this year's Federal election was known.

The spokeswoman for Mr Nicholls said the new design focused on reducing costs.

"The business case has been developed with a focus on cost and feasibility," she said.

"The proposed design is the one that seeks to improve safety, minimise costs and maximises benefits.

"It takes into account the latest data on Surat Basin development.

"The business case is part of a deliberative process and contains commercially sensitive information.

"Premature release of this information may compromise any project procurement process in the future."

Infrastructure Australia confirmed it had received the business case.

More than $43 million was spent boring a pilot tunnel for the second Range crossing near Mt Kynoch in 2007.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio will host a $100-a-head invitation only bypass forum on Friday, February 8.

Originally published as Government tight-lipped on Range crossing business case