Mayor Paul Antonio, Denis Wagner comment on State Government’s commitment to fast rail between Toowoomba and Brisbane

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio has urged Labor to fully commit to fast rail between the Garden City and Brisbane, saying he was concerned about the “scope” of its current studies.

Mayor Paul Antonio has called on Labor to commit to fast rail between Brisbane and Toowoomba.

Cr Paul Antonio’s comments come after the Council of Mayors Southeast Queensland (COMSEQ) welcomed a commitment from both major parties and the Greens to support a fast rail network for the entire south-east corner.

The State Government is currently completing a business case into passenger rail between Toowoomba and Brisbane, thanks to $15 million from the Federal Government.

But Cr Antonio, who is COMSEQ’s deputy chair, said this didn’t equate necessarily to fast rail and said he held concerns about whether it would cater for the region’s future growth demands.

Both the LNP and the Greens have committed to a fast rail plan between Toowoomba and Brisbane to varying degrees.

“We’re very concerned the scope of the study does not include enough interaction with the communities it will go to serving,” Cr Antonio said.

“There are a few ways we can build a rail line and we want to bring everybody on board.”

Cr Antonio said he wanted a fast rail plan to not only service the city, but also complement the Inland Rail’s tunnel through the Toowoomba range and reach the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and the planned entertainment precinct by Wagner Corporation.

“These are all important and critical for our future,” he said.

“We want something that is built into the plan to make sure the plan they come up with is appropriate for the area.

“Now is the time to get it right and protect us for the future.”

Wagner Corporation director Denis Wagner, whose company owns the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, said well-connected fast rail was essential for the future of the region.

“My view is it is absolutely essential that Toowoomba is included in this fast rail network,” he said.

“The infrastructure that will be built for Inland Rail should be built to accommodate fast rail as well.

“If you look at the positives of a fast rail network, we can connect four international airports across the region and you can connect communities like Toowoomba to Brisbane and have a travel time of 45 minutes.”

When asked about Labor’s plan for fast rail, Toowoomba North candidate Megan O’Hara Sullivan said the business case was in motion.

“The work is already being done and we have said we would partner with the Federal Government and provide in-kind support,” she said.

MAJOR PARTY COMMITMENTS

Labor

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey’s submission to COMSEQ around fast rail was notable in that it did not include Toowoomba to Brisbane as a priority fast rail link.

“We are already working closely with local governments and the Australian Government on major public transport projects and faster rail investigations in Queensland,” he said.

“This includes engagement with the Australian Government through its National Faster Rail Agency, to establish arrangements and to advance early stages of faster rail scoping and planning initiatives across SEQ, including Brisbane to Gold Coast and Brisbane to Sunshine Coast.

“I am supportive of the SEQ Council of Mayors (COMSEQ) being more involved in this process and will continue to closely consult the council as these projects proceed.”

LNP

Opposition spokesman for state development Andrew Powell said it was supportive of fast rail across the entire southeast, though he listed Toowoomba to Brisbane as “passenger rail”.

“The LNP agrees that faster rail is an important component of the long-term transport investment SEQ needs,” he said.

“We recognise the benefits of improving transport infrastructure and creating more jobs across the whole southeast.

“In order to give the business cases for the delivery of the North Coast connect, fast rail to the Gold Coast and passenger rail to Toowoomba every chance of success, the expertise available within all levels of government must be harnessed.”

Greens

A spokesman for the Greens, who will possibly pick up more seats in southeast Queensland, said Toowoomba to Brisbane fast rail was a priority as part of its plan for affordable public transport.

“Free, fast rail links connecting the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba will reduce congestion, unlock regional tourism and lay the foundation for a high-speed rail network connecting all of Queensland,” it said.

“The trains would travel in excess of 160km/hr and significantly reduce travel times throughout southeast Queensland.”