The Australian and Queensland governments have released joint project updates for the Port of Brisbane rail freight links and Toowoomba to Brisbane passenger rail business cases.
Port of Brisbane planning investigations included exploring opportunities to improve freight rail connectivity to the Port of Brisbane.
It found forecast freight demand may warrant upgrades to the existing rail network in the coming years, but that a dedicated freight corridor is a longer-term opportunity.
Building on the freight demand analysis undertaken to date, investigations are now underway for potential short, medium and longer-term improvements to the freight rail network between the proposed future Inland Rail intermodal terminal at Ebenezer and the Port of Brisbane..
The Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail Business Case explored opportunities for improved passenger transport between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
It found the future delivery of Inland Rail in Queensland provides an opportunity to integrate better passenger rail services with future freight operations on Inland Rail infrastructure.
The next stage of planning, which may include a detailed business case, would be undertaken closer to the time of Inland Rail delivery in Queensland.
As announced this week, the Australian and Queensland governments are also continuing to work together to progress planning and corridor protection for the Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail project.
The recently released Salisbury to Beaudesert Summary Report identified heavy rail as the optimal transport mode to address forecast passenger demand for the Salisbury to Beaudesert corridor.
Joint work is also continuing on the South-East Queensland Inland Rail Intermodal Terminal business case.
