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“The population here is expected to more than double by 2040 to more than half a million, which makes planning for public transport now absolutely vital.”
Labor’s Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers (left) and Blair MP Shayne Neumann pitching the planned Springfield Central to Ipswich Central rail corridor.Credit:Tony Moore
Mr Chalmers said nation building projects to ease the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic should happen in growth corridors where possible.
“If we want the national economy to recover strongly from COVID-19 we need to be investing in communities like this one.”
He said the exact timing of the $2 million depended on the timing and result of the federal election, then the next federal budget.
“But we need to get this business case happening, ASAP.”
Labor’s opposition infrastructure spokeswoman Catherine King supported the funding in a written statement, describing it as “a game-changing investment” for the region.
It marks an early policy difference between the federal government and the federal opposition in south-east Queensland before the next federal election due in 2022.
Federal Labor announced $2 million to begin a business case for extending the Springfield Central train line to Ipswich if it wins the next federal election.Credit:Tony Moore
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Barnaby Joyce, federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher, and former deputy PM Michael McCormack declined to comment on providing $1 million to progress the business case last week.
The region has grown on the back of extensions to the Centenary Motorway through the Ripley Valley and the Ipswich rail line extension which now runs from Darra to Ipswich Central.
Blair MP Shayne Neumann welcomed his party’s promise, describing it as crucial for the fast-growing region.
“If we win this election we will invest in this business case, support Ipswich City Council, match the money – and more – from the state Labor government and invest in this corridor,” he said.
“With Ipswich doubling its population in the next 20 years, we need more options; public transport options.
“Ipswich City Council has put $500,000 towards a business case and options case, and the state government has put forward $1 million towards it.”
Mr Neumann said Labor’s $2 million would be split between the options case [what should be built] and then, the second stage business case.
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He said both he, and the LNP’s Springfield-based senator Paul Scarr in February 2021, unsuccessfully lobbied former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack for $1 million.
“The Morrison-Joyce government has refused to put a million dollars towards it,” he said.
Queensland’s Transport Minister Mark Bailey last week said the Springfield to Ipswich rail corridor would be considered in 2025 when Brisbane’s underground Cross River Rail provides flexibility for additional trains on the Citytrain network.
Mr Neumann said the Springfield to Ipswich Central business case planning timeline (around two years) would fit with the 2025 completion of the Queensland Government’s Cross River Rail.
Initial planning shows new stations at Augustine Heights, Redbank Plains, Swanbank, Ripley Town Centre, Ripley North, Deebing South, Yamanto, Churchill and Ipswich Showgrounds before Ipswich Central.
Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding, who last week strongly pressed the city’s concerns at the lack of progress, has been contacted for comment.