The Mayors of Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley are calling on the Queensland Government to consider a detailed rail study for a staged extension of passenger services linking Toowoomba and the growing western corridor communities with Brisbane.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Geoff McDonald, and Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Tanya Milligan, recently wrote to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, requesting the Government further explore options released by the former State Government in the Toowoomba-Brisbane Rail Summary Report in September last year.
Mayor 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,” Mayor 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.”
Mayor McDonald said the extension of 50 cent rail services to the regions would 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, he said.
“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.
They took the opportunity late last week to raise the idea to 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.
Mayor McDonald said the need for better rail connectivity was urgent and timely, given that the 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,” Mayor McDonald said.
