What’s happening?
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald expressed deep disappointment with Federal Government’s latest Inland Rail announcement.
He said the decision to halt the project at Parkes was deeply disappointing.
Mayor McDonald said the move was a major missed opportunity for Queensland and the Toowoomba Region.
Inland Rail had been promoted as a nation-building project for regional Australia.
It was expected to improve freight movement, strengthen supply chains and support long-term economic growth.
“Communities across Queensland were told Inland Rail would deliver faster, more efficient freight connections, reduce pressure on our road networks, and support industry growth,” Mayor McDonald said.
“For the Toowoomba Region, it represented a once-in-a-generation chance to leverage our strategic location as a major logistics hub.
“Toowoomba’s strategic advantages extend well beyond freight, given our region is within a 12-hour flight to 50 per cent of the world’s population and within a 24-hour drive to 85 per cent of Australia’s population, reinforcing our role as a critical gateway for trade and investment.”
Why it matters?
The decision has raised concerns about the future of freight planning in regional Queensland.
Mayor McDonald said Inland Rail was meant to support safer roads and stronger regional supply chains.
He said the announcement had also become a chance to restate Toowoomba’s wider infrastructure priorities.
“The announcement has been an opportunity to reinforce key advocacy priorities for the region, including a request for $80 million toward the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project and $30 million for the Toowoomba Region Sport Precinct, both of which are critical to supporting future growth, liveability, and long-term water security,” he said.
“One of the most significant benefits of Inland Rail was its potential to remove up to 6,000 heavy vehicles a day from Queensland roads, which would have eased congestion, improved safety, and reduced wear and tear on key freight routes.
“That reduction alone would have delivered enormous value to regional communities,” he said. “It would have meant safer roads for families, lower maintenance costs for taxpayers, and a more efficient freight system for producers and operators.”
Local Impact
Mayor McDonald said local businesses, producers and transport operators had planned around Inland Rail’s expected benefits.
He said the latest announcement had created uncertainty for many stakeholders.
“Local businesses, producers, and transport operators have been planning around the opportunities Inland Rail was meant to bring,” he said. “Today’s announcement leaves many of those stakeholders uncertain about the future and questioning the long-term vision for freight infrastructure in this country.”
The project was expected to support existing regional assets.
These include Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, the Toowoomba Trade Gateway and the Second Range Crossing.
Council said these assets could have helped form an integrated freight and logistics network.
That network was expected to support jobs and investment for decades.
By the numbers
- Inland Rail was expected to remove up to 6,000 heavy vehicles a day from Queensland roads, easing pressure on freight routes and improving safety.
- Council is seeking $80 million for the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project to support long-term water security.
- Council is also advocating for $30 million for the Toowoomba Region Sport Precinct to support growth, liveability and community needs.
Zoom In
Mayor McDonald said Toowoomba remains central to Australia’s freight and economic future.
He said the region’s strengths go beyond transport alone.
The Toowoomba Region plays a key role in agriculture, resources and advanced manufacturing.
“A project of this scale should strengthen, not sideline, regions that contribute so much to Australia’s prosperity,” he said. “The Toowoomba Region stands ready to play its part in a modern, efficient national freight network, and we will continue advocating for infrastructure that supports growth, productivity, and regional resilience.”
Zoom Out
The Inland Rail decision is not only a Toowoomba issue.
It raises wider questions about freight infrastructure across regional Queensland.
Mayor McDonald said regional communities need certainty from national projects.
He said Inland Rail had been presented as a major chance to improve freight efficiency across Australia.
For Queensland, the decision has reopened concerns about long-term investment in regional supply chains.
What To Look For Next?
Council will seek more clarity from the Federal Government.
It will also keep working with industry, community leaders and neighbouring councils.
The goal is to keep the region’s needs central to future infrastructure planning.
“Our community deserves certainty and a clear pathway forward,” Mayor McDonald said. “We remain committed to securing the infrastructure investment our region needs to thrive.”