LOCAL MPs are calling for the release of the Ipswich to Springfield rail loop investigation report, saying the project is being “stonewalled” by the State Government.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesman confirmed to Local Ipswich News that the Preliminary Evaluation (including an Options Analysis) for the I2S corridor was finalised in June and delivered to Ipswich City Council and the Federal Government.
During the State Election, Ipswich City Council ran a $60,000 ratepayer-funded campaign pushing for action on the Ipswich to Springfield rail loop.
This week, the Council said it was “continuing to work with the Department of Transport and Main Roads as project lead, and other members of the project steering committee, to consider and sign off the options analysis”.
The ICC spokesman said the Council had to agree on the scope of works for the detailed business case to proceed.
State Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum called for the I2S report to be released, fearing the State Government intended to shelve the project.
“Local Labor MPs are calling for the public release of the preliminary evaluation for the Ipswich to Springfield rail loop, as the project continues to be stonewalled by the Transport Minister,” Mr McCallum said.
“State and Federal Labor governments, along with Ipswich City Council, funded the options analysis to get the project on the express track, but the Crisafulli LNP Government sent it to the shunting yard.
“I’m concerned this will be another savage LNP cut. Recently we saw the Government cancel light rail to Coolangatta, heavy rail to Maroochydore was cut back to stop at Caloundra, and Ipswich isn’t even getting a look in.
“Ipswich urgently needs a public transport network that can keep pace with our rapidly growing population, but the Crisafulli LNP Government continues to drag its feet and our community is paying the cost.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg dismissed the concerns as a “scare campaign”.
“Despite the hollow rhetoric of Labor members who failed to deliver for their community when in Government for the last 10 years, the fact is there was not a single dollar for construction of the Ipswich to Springfield rail line in Labor’s last budget,” Mr Mickelberg said.
“Funding towards a business case for the project was listed in this year’s Queensland Transport and Infrastructure Program.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann called on the State Government and Ipswich City Council to work with the Federal Government to get the project to the detailed business case stage as soon as possible.
“The Albanese Labor Government’s October 2022 Budget included $3.4 million to complete the detailed business case for Ipswich to Springfield rail corridor via the booming Ripley Valley, delivering on a key Labor election commitment,” Mr Neumann said.
“Here in Ipswich, we can’t wait any longer for this project to get moving.
“I was proud to secure this multi-million-dollar Budget injection into the Ipswich region’s highest priority project and deliver on my local election promise to get the project back on track.”
A Federal Government spokeswoman said that following the submission of a Project Proposal Report by the Queensland Government, Australian Government funding for the detailed business case process would commence.
The business case would be undertaken by the State Government and Council.
The TMR spokesman said they continued to plan for the proposed Ipswich to Springfield (I2S) Public Transport corridor in partnership with the Federal Government and Ipswich City Council, and that the I2S “would improve the connection between existing and emerging growth areas in the rapidly expanding western sub-region”.
“The 25km I2S Public Transport corridor was initially planned in 2007,” he said. “Following community consultation, the department protected the preferred corridor alignment for the future. The preferred corridor alignment has been periodically updated to reflect new spatial requirements, ensuring the corridor remains fit for purpose and available to support the future expansion of the public transport network.”
A total of $7.5 million was committed from the Australian Government ($3.4 million), Queensland Government ($3.4 million) and Ipswich City Council ($750,000) to progress the next phase of investigation.
