When Barnaby will make major Inland Rail announcement

The Inland Rail to Gladstone appears increasingly likely to become official as the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirms his support for both the Brisbane and Gladstone routes.

It appears increasingly likely the Inland Rail will be extended to Gladstone with Barnaby Joyce expected to make further announcements about the controversial yet potentially nation-building megaproject by the end of the week.

It is understood Mr Joyce supports running the Inland Rail from Melbourne to both Gladstone and Brisbane, at least using the existing agreed route from the New South Wales border to Gowrie (Toowoomba).

The Australian reports that one of Mr Joyce’s motives for sending the route to Gladstone is coal, due to the vast deposits in the Banana Shire and parts of New South Wales.

With the battle for the electorate of Flynn heating up given that sitting LNP member and Gladstone route supporter Ken O’Dowd is retiring, it’s known that both Labor candidate and Gladstone mayor Matt Burnett and LNP candidate and sitting state Callide MP Colin Boyce support the Gladstone option as well.

Boyce says the line from Toowoomba to Gladstone should be built ahead of the Toowoomba to Brisbane line.

“The link from Toowoomba to Acacia Ridge is problematic and expensive,” Mr Boyce said.

“I think it [the Gladstone line] is an important piece of infrastructure that needs to be done.”

The Morning Bulletin reached out to Mr Joyce’s office asking what he makes of the recommendations in the Senate Inquiry report handed down on August 11, but has not responded.

Mr Joyce is expected to make further announcements about the Inland Rail at the National Press Club on September 3.

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Originally published as When Barnaby will make major Inland Rail announcement