Mayor expects western rail freight to increase in 12 months
THE leaders of Southern and Western Queensland's rural communities were told the trains will be running soon.
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RAIL freight connecting Southwestern Queensland towns to export and import centres at Toowoomba and Brisbane could be running within the next 12 months.
This message was delivered to the Darling Downs and South West Queensland Council of Mayors at a meeting last week.
Private rail and logistics firms outlined potential commercial activities at a rail forum run by the mayoral group, that included leaders from Toowoomba, Bulloo, Quilpie, Paroo, Murweh, Balonne, Maranoa, Goondiwindi, the Western Downs and the Southern Downs local government areas.
Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio said the session presented a very positive future rail freight services.
"The updates are a welcome and positive sign that private firms are prepared to come to the market to pitch for business where they see opportunities in the long term," he said.
"Some of this renewed interest is driven by the investment in the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project, which will have both direct and complementary benefits for customers across our region.
"Many existing rail lines, especially those in the western and south-western parts of the state, have been neglected for decades. This has led to a reduction in service for these productive areas and an increased reliance on road transport, which has placed added pressure on our roads.
Cr Antonio wants to see major investment in rail infrastructure.
"Our push for greater rail investment marries perfectly with calls by the Reserve Bank of Australia, industry, business and higher levels of government for greater spending on nation-building infrastructure.
"The mayors' collective will and vision is to see a truly integrated rail network delivering produce to the Port of Brisbane, Brisbane Airport and other distribution facilities around the newly named Toowoomba Trade Gateway, including Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and Interlink SQ at Charlton.
"Producers and business operators as far west as Quilpie and Thargomindah and all points in between are eyeing a future where rail could unlock new freight routes and a host of untapped markets.
Originally published as Mayor expects western rail freight to increase in 12 months
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