The Inland Rail project is the largest nation-building project since the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. The project is an immense opportunity for Queensland. As part of its public policy to economically expand the north and central regions of Queensland, a Democratic Party of Queensland (DPQ) government will support a Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone State Development Area link, expedite relevant state approvals and incorporate the development of an additional connection between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
Democracy
Toowoomba to Gladstone Link
We will prioritise the construction of the Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone State Development Area link for Inland Rail via the Surat Basin railway.
We will review the issues associated with the Inland Rail crossing through the Condamine Flood Plain. We support the development and approval of alternative route options, such as a route through the forestry area to the west of the Condamine Flood Plains, to control the impacts on high-value agricultural land and the environment.
Toowoomba to Brisbane Link
All double-stacked freight trains bound for Greater Brisbane will be broken-down at Toowoomba (or before), with only single-stacked freight trains allowed to continue down the range to Greater Brisbane. Only single-stack freight trains will be allowed because the track will be for high-speed passenger trains.
We will review the design of the Toowoomba Range crossing tunnel and ensure the construction of a minimum of a dual-tracked option only for single-stack trains to accommodate the future electrification and high-speed passenger rail services.
We will develop an all rail corridor for the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB) section to allow the introduction of future electrified high-speed passenger rail services between Salisbury and Beaudesert via Greater Flagstone at a minimal cost to Queensland taxpayers.
We will prohibit coal trains from using the Brisbane and Logan rail network. Restricting coal trains will reduce noise and dust in the outer and middle-ring suburbs and free the tracks for more passenger trains.