IPSWICH City Council has backed a push to bring passenger trains back to the Brisbane–Toowoomba corridor, despite fears the campaign could derail the city’s own long-awaited rail ambitions.
Councillors backed the motion put forward by Councillor Jacob Madsen to join forces with Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley councils in demanding better regional rail connections, but Mayor Teresa Harding warned the move could threaten Ipswich’s push for the critical Springfield Central to Ipswich rail link through Ripley.
The decision sets the stage for a united campaign to restore frequent passenger services connecting Brisbane, Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs, although questions remain over whether the competing rail priorities could secure government funding.
“The councils of Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba have been advocating for frequent passenger rail between Toowoomba and Brisbane,” Cr Madsen said.
With significant residential development occurring throughout the Lockyer Valley, Cr Madsen argued the railway could provide an important alternative for commuters, students, tourists and residents accessing employment, education and medical services.
Despite supporting improved regional connectivity in principle, Cr Harding urged councillors to delay the decision until they had received further information from their western counterparts.
“I also want to make sure that any advocacy Council undertakes complements rather than competes with our own established rail priorities,” she said.
“I’m a supporter of regional collaboration and when advocacy priorities align across councils, it can be a really powerful force for us.
“However, I think it would be wiser for us to hear about the proposal next month from Toowoomba and Lockyer before we actually make a decision on whether we make this an advocacy priority or not.”
Cr Madsen refused to put the brakes on the campaign, arguing Ipswich had an opportunity to stand alongside its western neighbours and push for a long-overdue transport investment.
“It’s about time that we actually supported our two cousins towards the west and try to make sure that this actually is delivered within our lifetimes,” he said.
Mayor Harding said Council was asked to make its decision without having seen the proposal, the potential costs or timeline, and without knowing what impacts this may have on its own push for rail from Ipswich to Springfield Central.
“For this reason, I was surprised I was the only councillor not to support this motion while seeking to defer the matter to allow time for Council to consider the proposal.”
Cr Marnie Doyle abstained from the vote.
“While I am a huge advocate for regional collaboration and working with our neighbouring councils, that can only be when it complements our advocacy priorities – and doesn’t compete with them,” Mayor Harding said.
