McVeigh to take up rail route in parliament

JOHN McVeigh has vowed to take up the Inland Rail route decision with his political colleagues after a lack of movement on the decision in recent weeks.

The Groom MP said had expected an announcement from Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester before parliament returned on Tuesday, but feared time was slipping away before the deadline.

Four proposed routes are on the table and the link through Toowoomba is the only section of the $8.4 billion tri-state project to be determined in Queensland.

While he still expected an announcement “imminently”, he would take up the issue with Mr Chester next week.

“I expected him to make an announcement before parliament next Tuesday,” Mr McVeigh said.

“I’m still none the wiser.

“These four shortlisted routes are the result of over some years now of consideration of dozens of routes.”

Mr McVeigh added stronger consideration should be given to any proposed line which could incorporate Wellcamp airport.

“The suggestion has been a Brookstead, Mt Tyson and Gowrie route and that’s been identified as a likely route by successive governments including the Labor government,” he said.

“Since that time we’ve seen the Wellcamp airport built and I do believe that given the airport is a new development, other routes should be considered.

“The Wellcamp route is one that has cropped up and is worthy of consideration.”