Two regional councils have called for an extension of south-east Queensland commuter rail services to Toowoomba.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald and Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan have written to the State Government asking for detailed rail study into a staged extension of passenger services linking Toowoomba and the growing western corridor communities with Brisbane.
Mayor McDonald said the former State Government released the Toowoomba-Brisbane Rail Summary Report in September last year, but the recent letter has asked for other options to also be considered.
“One option in the report considered using the existing Queensland Rail network from Helidon to Brisbane, with an interchange to a connecting bus service between Helidon and Toowoomba,” he said.
“Toowoomba and Lockyer believe another option has merit and warrants serious consideration. This involves extending rail from Helidon to Withcott in the first stage of a longer-term project to deliver a passenger rail service to Toowoomba city.”
Mayor McDonald said a staged approach had the potential to unlock the benefits of better connectivity earlier for communities east of Toowoomba, while laying the groundwork for a future full rail passenger service.
“We consider now is the time to commission a detailed rail study to examine this staged approach, with a focus on delivering better public transport outcomes for the whole of South East Queensland.”
He said the extension of 50 cent rail services to the two regions west of Brisbane would open opportunities for business, tourism and provide an overall economic benefit for people along the route.
“It would allow people to commute between Toowoomba and Brisbane for work, health and social visits.
“The Toowoomba Region and the growing western corridor through the Lockyer Valley extending to Ipswich deserve a passenger rail that will deliver services into the future. Population growth will only continue to drive demand.”
Mayor McDonald said opportunity was raised last week with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee members who were visiting Toowoomba to see the Olympic and Paralympic Games site at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.
He said the need for better rail connectivity was urgent and timely, given that the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were secured on the promise of accelerating essential transport infrastructure to service South East Queensland’s population growth.
“The South East Queensland Council of Mayors released a 2019 People Mass Movement Study that accompanied the successful Games bid. Realising this vision for better regional connectivity will not only aid transport links for the Olympic timetable, but serve our residents for the future.”
