Engineering, Freight Rail

Inland Rail info centre opens in Toowoomba

Inland Rail

Federal infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester has opened Toowoomba’s ‘one-stop shop’ for the Inland Rail project.

Chester says the town is “perfect” as the Queensland base for the 1700-kilometre rail project, as it is “a major regional city and the gateway to the Darling Downs”.

Once complete, Inland Rail will see freight delivered from Melbourne to Brisbane, via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, in less than 24 hours, he said.

“This Toowoomba office is an Australia-first, as well as being a useful resource for local residents,” Chester explained on March 15.

“It’s a central spot to get information and advice, give feedback and talk face to face with the people delivering this nationally important project.”

The office is run by the Australian Rail Track Corporation and supports local jobs, which Chester said are just the start of roughly 2300 jobs expected to be created as the project gets underway in the Darling Downs region.

Queensland is forecast to become the biggest state beneficiary of Inland Rail, with modelling indicating a $7.3 billion benefit to Queensland’s Gross State Product during construction and the first 50 years of its operation.

Chester met with members of the Yelarbon to Gowrie Project Reference Group to hear their views on the alignment review for Inland Rail through the region.

“Chair Bruce Wilson and members of the Project Reference Group are doing a great job in working with the community, which is critical to delivering the Inland Rail Project,” the minister said.

“I’m told the community drop-in sessions held throughout the study area last week have really added to the Group’s understanding of community views on the project.”

ARTC’s Toowoomba Inland Rail office is at 65-67 Neil St, Toowoomba. It is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.