Passenger rail and road upgrades for Toowoomba but how much is new money?

The Federal Budget has been handed down and these are the highlights for the Toowoomba region.

Millions in road upgrades and a business case to bring back Toowoomba to Brisbane passenger trains have been committed to at the Federal Budget.

But most of the money spent on Toowoomba and the Darling Downs was committed to at previous budgets.

The Federal Government will spent $15 million on a business case investigating reinstituting Toowoomba tio the Brisbane passenger rail.

But the business case was first announced as part of the 2018 Federal Budget.

Millions will be spent on a business case investigating passenger rail between Toowoomba and Brisbane. It was first announced in 2018.

A total of $412m has been promised on upgrades to the Warrego and Gore Hwys, the vast majority coming from a $378.58m “future priority” promise to upgrade the Warrego Hwy.

The budget also promised $13.6m to upgrade the Gore Hwy between Pittsworth and Milmerran, and upgrades to the Warrego hwy at Brimblecombe Rd, the East Creek Culvert and a safety upgrade from Oakey to Miles.

The government has also recommitted to the Inland Rail Project that Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack said would unlock “the economic potential of our regions”.

“We are investing in the transformational Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project, delivering enhancements across the original program to connect regional Australia to cities and markets and establish a corridor-of-commerce for generations to come,” he said.

Our region may benefit from the $30.3m national Regional Connectivity Program, which will help improve telecommunications connectivity in regional areas.

Other commitments that may benefit our residents and businesses include:

•An extension of the $200m Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) for a fifth round;

•$41 m for a Research and Development Program to pay for research and development activities that will benefit regional industries;

•An additional $28.1m to extend the Stronger Communities Program;

•The $5.7m Building Strong, Resilient Regional Leaders initiative; and

•The $5m for the Regional Australia Institute’s research program and promotion of regional living.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud also announced more than $300 million in funding to help modernise Australia’s agriculture export systems.

“Agricultural exports are critical to Australia’s economic recovery. That’s why this Budget is delivering the $328 million Busting Congestion for Agricultural Exporters Package,” Mr Littleproud said.

“This suite of reforms will modernise Australia’s export systems by slashing red-tape and streamlining regulation and service delivery for our farmers.”

“We’re making it faster and cheaper for farmers to get their product to market, while retaining the levels of quality and assurance that have made our exports world-class.”

The package includes $222.2m over four years for digital services to take farmers to market, including a 24/7 touch point for exporters and $10.9m over three years to create a more competitive meat export industry. - WITH SHERELE MOODY

TOOWOOMBA INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS:

Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail Business Case $15.00m

Toowoomba to Seymour – Gore Highway (Pittsworth to Millmerran) Road Surface Rehabilitation $13.60m

Warrego Highway – Brimblecombe Road Intersection Upgrade $2.20m

Warrego Highway – East Creek Culvert Upgrade $8.37m

Warrego Highway – Oakey to Miles Safety Upgrade – Stage 2 $9.32m

Warrego Highway – Future Priorities $378.58m