Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail Extension Business Case

The Australian and Queensland governments are working together to deliver the Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail Extension Business Case.

The Australian and Queensland governments are exploring ways to supplement the planned Inland Rail project through:

  • assessing links to alternative export hubs
  • enhancing wider regional economic growth and development.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts are working together on a business case for a possible extension of Inland Rail from Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone. This extension will complement the primary Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail route.

The business case will look at:

  • the need, viability and timing of the extension
  • how an additional rail connection to the Port of Gladstone could benefit businesses and communities in regional Queensland along the new route.

It will be developed in 3 stages:

  • strategic assessment of service requirements
  • preliminary evaluation
  • detailed business case—if supported by the Australian and Queensland governments considering the initial findings.

The initial stages will:

  • evaluate current and anticipated future demand for a direct freight rail connection between Toowoomba and the Port of Gladstone
  • investigate options for introducing new freight rail services using existing and protected rail corridors
  • identify preferred options for future freight services between Toowoomba and Port of Gladstone
  • identify staging and delivery solutions to suit the short, medium and long-term demand and capacity of the planned rail transport network
  • consider costs and benefits of the project
  • make a preliminary assessment of the economic viability, before proceeding to a detailed business case.

We will be working with key project partners during the initial stages. More engagement opportunities will be provided during the next stages of the project.

Key features

  • A better-connected, more resilient and accessible rail freight network.
  • Support growth in the thermal coal, hydrogen, alumina and other emerging resources.
  • Potentially defer the need to invest in a dedicated freight rail corridor to the Port of Brisbane and achieve greater return on investment for existing freight corridors.
  • Enhanced regional/network connectivity and sustainability.
  • Enhanced regional economic development and employment opportunities.
  • Increased connectivity export opportunities for the resource sector and agriculture producers.
  • Freight efficiency improvements which would benefit the broader Australian economy.

Inland Rail

On 29 November 2019, the Australian and Queensland Governments signed a Bilateral Agreement enabling the delivery of Inland Rail in Queensland and the development of 5 rail studies to enhance the benefits it offers the state.

Current status

The project is in the early scoping phase to assess the need, consider options and determine feasibility of a rail connection from Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone.

Next steps

The business case is expected to be completed in 2023 and will inform future corridor preservation and potential investment decisions.

If the findings of the study determine the project demonstrates viability:

  • a Detailed Business Case will be developed to further explore the preferred option/s identified in the early investigations
  • wider engagement as well as community consultation will be undertaken to seek feedback and input to the development of the preferred design.

Funding

The Australian Government committed $10 million towards the project, with the Queensland Government providing an in-kind contribution, through the Department of Transport and Main Roads. QTRIP Investment ID: 2251605

Project area map

Map showing area for Inland Rail extension project: Toowoomba to Gladstone
Map showing area for Inland Rail extension project—Toowoomba to Gladstone

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth