THE Federal Government will kick in up to $10 million to investigate the viability of the Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail line.
The study of the connection known as T2G, is set to be a significant focus during the 2022 Federal Election campaign, with both major parties targeting the seat of Flynn, which is currently held by the Liberal National Party.
The announcement of the T2G study also follows fall-out within the National Party over the controversial Border to Gowrie section of the Inland Rail, which is proposed to cross the agriculturally important Condamine River Floodplain.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said extending Inland Rail from Toowoomba could deliver better rail connectivity to the Port of Gladstone and expand access to import and export markets for Australian businesses and industry.
"Extending the line to Gladstone would ensure the benefits of this nation-building piece of infrastructure are felt farther and wider, creating more jobs during construction, supporting existing jobs in the region, and better connecting our resources industries and agricultural producers to another major export gateway," Mr Joyce said.
"The connection to Gladstone would be in addition to our existing commitment to take Inland Rail to Brisbane."
It is still not clear when construction will begin on the Border to Gowrie section given flood modelling is still not complete, the design and costings have not been released, the project is still to be approved by Queensland's Coordinator General, and necessary land for the corridor has not been compulsory acquired.
Adding to the confusion is that federal funding had not yet been announced for the 178km Toowoomba to Acacia Ridge section, which will leave the project 38km of the Port of Brisbane.
As it stands, the Port of Brisbane is set to be at a significant disadvantage to Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle, with shipping likely to be attracted to the more attractive rail-linked southern ports and their respective, large populations.
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd, who has previously announced he will not contest the next Federal Election, said the Morrison Government has listened to calls to explore the Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone extension.
"The Deputy Prime Minister and I have consistently advocated for the extension of Inland Rail to Gladstone and this business case ensures that the idea is thoroughly tested," Mr O'Dowd said.
"Our commitment also aligns with opportunities identified by Infrastructure Australia's Priority List for the Port of Gladstone Sea and Land Upgrade initiative."
Construction of Inland Rail has progressed to Narrabri, in northern NSW at a cost of $15 billion, far above the $9.9b budget announced by Mr Joyce in 2017.
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