Labor commits $2m in funding to Ipswich to Springfield rail line

The LNP government has yet to come to the table to progress a project crucial to the future of the fastest growing city in Queensland. Despite a Labor promise to commit funding, significantly more is needed before it is shovel-ready.

Federal Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Blair MP Shayne Neumann at Springfield Central Station on Friday morning.

A Labor government led by Anthony Albanese will spend $2 million to get a project crucial to the future of the fastest growing city in Queensland on track after years of delays, but significantly more funding is needed before it is shovel-ready.

Federal Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers was in Springfield on Friday morning to make the election pledge.

Ipswich City Council and the Labor state government have already committed $1 million and $500,000 respectively to complete an options analysis document for the Springfield to Ipswich rail corridor, subject to the federal government also coming to the table.

Federal Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers was in Springfield on Friday morning to make an election pledge about the Ipswich to Springfield rail line. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

Scott Morrison’s government did not commit any money towards the next stage of the project in this year’s budget, despite local political and business leaders appealing to then Deputy Premier Michael McCormack during his visit to the region in February.

Mr Chalmers said Labor would invest $2 million towards progressing the project if it wins the next election.

It is understood a figure of about $10 million is needed to complete the detailed business case in order for the project to become shovel-ready.

As the fastest growing local government area in the state, Ipswich’s population is set to jump from 230,000 to 558,000 in the next 20 years.

About 70 per cent of that growth is expected to happen along or adjacent to the corridor between Ipswich Central and Springfield Central.

The project was recognised by the federal government’s independent infrastructure adviser as one of Australia’s top priority projects this year.

The Ipswich Central to Springfield Central public transport corridor would include nine new stations.

The public transport corridor was added to Infrastructure Australia’s 2021 Infrastructure Priority List.

It would include nine new stations at Ipswich, Churchill, Yamanto, Deebing South, Ripley North, Ripley Town Centre, Swanbank, Redbank Plains and Augustine Heights.

“If we want the national economy to grow strongly, and create more jobs and opportunities then the Ipswich region needs to be a bigger part of that story,” Mr Chalmers said.

“The population here is expected to more than double in the next two decades to more than 500,000, making planning for public transport now absolutely vital.”

Blair MP Shayne Neumann said Ipswich had been overlooked for major infrastructure funding over the past eight years. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Blair MP Shayne Neumann said Ipswich had been completely overlooked for major infrastructure work by the LNP in the eight years it had been in power.

“I have called on the government to fund the business case for the Ipswich to Springfield rail line many times, but they have not listened,” he said.

“Labor has listened and acted, and this funding will more than match the co-contribution of $1 million from the Palaszczuk Government and $500,000 from Ipswich City Council.

“This project has stalled under the Liberals and Nationals, so we need to get the ball rolling as soon as possible on the business case.”

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding thanked Mr Neumann, who gave her a call on Friday to give her the heads up, for “starting the firing gun” ahead of the election.

She said $1 million of that commitment will go towards the options analysis, with the other $1 million for the final detailed business case.

“This is a terrific outcome for Ipswich,” she said.

“It’s going to be a very important business case. It could be hard rail, light rail, autonomous vehicles or buses.

“(The LNP) haven’t made any commitments yet. I think as a council we’re really committed to getting bipartisan support for all the projects we’re advocating for.

“We’ll continue to advocate to all political parties to get what Ipswich deserves. We’re taking in 30 per cent of the growth in southeast Queensland.”

Cr Harding said the rail corridor was the single most important project for the future of the city.

“I’m just delighted with the commitment, it’s wonderful to see,” she said.

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.

Originally published as Labor commits $2m in funding to Ipswich to Springfield rail line