Qld Signs Inland Rail Agreement

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio talks to the media after the signing of Friday’s agreement between the State and Federal governments (Photo: ARTC)

Deputy PM Michael McCormack (Photo: Twitter)

November 29, 2019

The much-discussed Inland Rail project – linking Melbourne to Brisbane – took a major step forward on Friday with the signing of an agreement between the Federal and Queensland governments.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Transport Minister Mark Bailey signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments at a ceremony at Toowoomba Town Hall.

Queensland is expected to benefit significantly from the Inland Rail project with two-thirds of the total investment to be delivered in the State.

Of the 13 individual projects that make up Inland Rail, five are in Queensland:

NSW border to Gowrie

Gowrie to Helidon

Helidon to Calvert

Calvert to Kagaru

Kagaru to Acacia Ridge/Bromleton

The total Inland Rail route will be about 1700km long, including 1200km of upgraded tracks and 500km of new sections in regional Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

Mr McCormack said the bilateral agreement would ensure Queensland’s future growth was supported by a robust freight rail network.

“The Bilateral Agreement signed today is backed by the Federal Government’s $9.3 billion commitment to deliver Inland Rail,” Mr McCormack said.

“Our government values the significance of this nation-building project for regional communities. More than 7000 jobs and a $7 billion boost to Queensland’s economy will make a real difference to the people who live and work in this State.

“We are transforming the way freight is moved in Australia. For every dollar we are investing in Inland Rail, $2.62 will be returned to the national economy.”