Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Mayors have teamed up to put the heat on the State Government to introduce passenger rail services to Brisbane.
Toowoomba Regional Mayor Geoff McDonald and Lockyer Valley Regional Mayor Tanya Milligan have written to Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg urging the government explore options details in the Toowoomba-Brisbane Rail Summary Report in September last year.
Cr McDonald said the September 2024 report explored four options for improved passenger rail services between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
“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,” Cr McDonald 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.
“A staged approach has 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.
“The extension of 50 cent rail services to our regions will open more opportunities for business, tourism and overall economic benefits 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.”
The mayors said they would welcome the chance to meet the Minister to discuss the proposal.
Cr McDonald said 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 growing population.