Toowoomba passenger rail: Garth Hamilton, Trevor Watts question underspend of $15m business case by former Qld government

Millions of dollars allocated to create a business case for passenger rail between Brisbane and Toowoomba was actually spent by the former state government.

Just 17 per cent of the money allocated for a $15m business case to understand passenger rail opportunities to Toowoomba was actually spent by the previous state government — a revelation that local members have called a “disgrace”.

Both the federal coalition and new LNP Queensland government are asking questions after it was revealed in senate estimates the final report exploring options to connect Brisbane to the Garden City cost just $2.5m to complete.

It means $12.5m was given back to the federal government.

The document, which was quietly released prior to the state election, had been funded by the Morrison government thanks to lobbying from former Groom MP John McVeigh and was due to be delivered two years ago.

CANBERRA, Australia – NewsWire Photos – August 29, 2024: Garth Hamilton Mp during the House Standing Committee on Economics at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Speaking during senate estimates two weeks ago, federal department of transport and regional development assistant secretary Greg Cox said the government had not received a copy of the final report as it was intellectual property of the state.

A preliminary study was provided to the federal government in May 2022 during the election.

Department of transport assistant secretary David Muldoon said the full allocation was not used as the study did not advance to a full business case.

The final report said the best option for passenger rail between Toowoomba and Brisbane, which would use Inland Rail infrastructure from Gowrie to Calvert, would still deliver “modest” outcomes and still be slower than travelling by car or bus.

Groom MP Garth Hamilton slammed the underspend, calling it “simply unacceptable”.

A map of the proposed Toowoomba passenger rail line.

“Passenger rail between Toowoomba and Brisbane would be transformational for our region, enhancing connectivity, easing commutes, and supporting our growing population,” he said.

“The fact that the government has been sitting on this report for over two years and from answers at Senate estimates, failed to progress outcomes is completely unacceptable.

“It is damning that after nearly two and a half years, we still cannot confirm whether the minister has been briefed on such an important report and that the full report has not been released.

“$15 million was provided under the former (federal) government to support the delivery of a business case and advance the project, yet the department has confirmed only $2.5 million was expended.

“I really question the credibility of the report that was completed.”

Mr Trevor Watts Member for Toowoomba North at the Queensland Estimates hearings. Tuesday 8th August 2023 Picture David Clark

Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts was equally scathing, saying he would push the LNP to explore the report and its outcomes.

“This shows the disgrace of the Labor government — the federal government provided $15m for a full understanding of what it would take for passenger rail to Toowoomba,” he said.

“Several years late, a report is thrown out in a hurry just before an election.

“We need to have a good look at the report, understand why they didn’t spend over $12m that was allocated, and what information can be obtained with that money so we can get a true understanding of what it would take to increase transportation into southwest Queensland.”