Fast Track Fast Rail
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Motorists travelling to and from Toowoomba may have noticed new signage at the top of the Range this week.
As part of Toowoomba Regional Council’s (TRC) aspiration for a fast passenger rail service from Toowoomba to Brisbane, Mayor Paul Antonio said signs has been installed to further advocate for the service.
“Earlier this year I raised the matter as a Mayoral Minute during an Ordinary Meeting of Council so I’m pleased to see the signage now in place,” Mayor Antonio said.
“A fast rail service would open up so many opportunities for our Region and all the areas east and west of Toowoomba.
“While it’s been discussed for many years, we need to make sure the plans progress from an idea to reality and operating before the end of the decade.
“By installing this signage we’re sending a clear message to the other levels of government how important this service is to our community.
“It wasn’t that long ago when we did something similar for the Toowoomba Bypass and fortunately we were able to secure the necessary funding to build this piece of infrastructure which was desperately needed.
“While this signage will ensure the fast rail service stays in eye sight of everyone travelling up and down the Toowoomba Range, there is no doubt we need to continue speaking with the relevant State and Federal Government Ministers to push our case.
“As part of the Mayoral Minute I also raised the need to host a Toowoomba to Brisbane Fast Rail Forum, in collaboration with Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, with this expected to take place during the first quarter of 2023.”
In 2018/19 the Australian Government committed up to $15 million for the development of a business case for an improved faster passenger rail between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
The State Government has progressed this work over the past 18 months and has completed a strategic business case which is currently being considered by the Australian Government and will lead to the development of a detailed business case.