Inland Rail removed from infrastructure priority list

The federal Member for Groom has called for a written funding commitment from the federal government after it was revealed the Inland Rail project had been removed from an infrastructure priority list.

Inland Rail project has been removed from the Infrastructure Priority List

Federal LNP member for Groom Garth Hamilton has called for “no cuts” to the funding of the Inland Rail project after it was revealed the $5bn project had been removed from the Infrastructure Australia priority list.

A revised Infrastructure Priority List (IPL) sent to Qld’s Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie on Monday, revealed only seven Queensland projects remain on it, down from the previous 29.

Infrastructure Australia, an independent statutory body, provides advice on infrastructure priorities and planning to the Australian Government, and includes a targeted priority list – the IPL – from consultation with key stakeholders.

Other Queensland projects which have been removed from the list along with the Inland Rail project, include the Port of Brisbane project, the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail, Ipswich Motorway upgrades and the Port of Gladstone upgrade.

Federal MP for Groom Mr Hamilton said he would be writing to the Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requesting a funding commitment to ensure there would be “no cuts” to the Inland Rail project.

Federal Member for Groom Garth Hamilton has called for a funding commitment for Inland Rail from the federal government after the infrastructure advisory body removed it from the Infrastructure Priority List.

Resulting delays would be costly as well as “a devastating blow to our region”, he said.

“Labor went into the last election promising to deliver Inland Rail and I expect them to honour that commitment,” he said.

The IPL has caused waves throughout the Qld state government, and Mr Bleijie has sent an urgent request to the Federal Infrastructure Minister to add the projects back.

“As you know, Queensland is the most decentralised mainland state, the most disaster- impacted state, and has the fastest-growing population out of all Australian states,” Mr Bleijie said.

“These factors mean significant infrastructure investment is required to meet the needs of our growing state to connect and service our regional communities. Australian Government investment will be critical to achieving these outcomes.”

The revised IPL includes the $9 billion Bruce Highway upgrades, funded with $7.2bn from the federal government and $1.8 from the state government, a number of new level crossings, and rail preservation works and corridor upgrades.

It also includes Warrego Highway upgrades between Dinmore and Helidon Spa.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King at the opening of the Kangaroo Point Bridge in Brisbane. Picture: Lachie Millard

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said Infrastructure Australia, although a key adviser, is independent from government and did not dictate funding.

She said the recent commitment to fund the Bruce Highway meant the total investment of the federal government in Queensland came to over $28 billion.

“The priority list does not represent government decisions or all of the projects that the Commonwealth ultimately invests in.” Ms King said.

She assured no funding cuts had been made to active projects.

“Once projects are invested in they come off the list and new ones can come on to the list,” she said.

“The Infrastructure Priority List has not been finalised and the newly elected Queensland Government can provide input and advice to Infrastructure Australia on additional projects to inform the priority list.”

An Infrastructure Australia spokesman said consultation for the IPL was still underway.

“Infrastructure Australia is currently consulting on its Infrastructure Priority List (IPL) and has worked closely with states and territories throughout this process to identify the highest priority nationally significant infrastructure proposals that are ready for an Australian Government investment decision,” he said.