Disappointment at Federal Government’s Inland Rail announcement

Published on 06 May 2026

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald has expressed deep disappointment following the Federal Government’s latest announcement on the Inland Rail project, saying the decision to halt the project at Parkes represents a major missed opportunity for Queensland and the Toowoomba Region.

Mayor McDonald said Inland Rail had long been positioned as a nation‑building project capable of transforming freight movement, strengthening supply chains, and delivering long‑term economic benefits across regional Australia.

“Communities across Queensland were told Inland Rail would deliver faster, more efficient freight connections, reduce pressure on our road networks, and support industry growth,” Mayor McDonald said.

“For the Toowoomba Region, it represented a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to leverage our strategic location as a major logistics hub.

“Toowoomba’s strategic advantages extend well beyond freight, given our region is within a 12-hour flight to 50 per cent of the world’s population and within a 24-hour drive to 85 per cent of Australia’s population, reinforcing our role as a critical gateway for trade and investment.”

Mayor McDonald said while the announcement had been disappointing, it had provided an important opportunity to remind the Federal Government of the economic powerhouse that is the Toowoomba Region and the vital role it plays in driving national productivity.

“The announcement has been an opportunity to reinforce key advocacy priorities for the region, including a request for $80 million toward the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project and $30 million for the Toowoomba Region Sport Precinct, both of which are critical to supporting future growth, liveability, and long-term water security,” he said.

“One of the most significant benefits of Inland Rail was its potential to remove up to 6,000 heavy vehicles a day from Queensland roads which would have eased congestion, improved safety, and reduced wear and tear on key freight routes.

“That reduction alone would have delivered enormous value to regional communities,” he said. “It would have meant safer roads for families, lower maintenance costs for taxpayers, and a more efficient freight system for producers and operators.”

Mayor McDonald said the project was expected to complement existing regional assets such as the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, the Toowoomba Trade Gateway, and the Second Range Crossing, creating a fully integrated freight and logistics network that would support jobs and investment for decades.

“Local businesses, producers, and transport operators have been planning around the opportunities Inland Rail was meant to bring,” he said. “Today’s announcement leaves many of those stakeholders uncertain about the future and questioning the long‑term vision for freight infrastructure in this country.”

He emphasised that regional Queensland continues to play a critical role in Australia’s economic strength, particularly in agriculture, resources, and advanced manufacturing.

“A project of this scale should strengthen, not sideline, regions that contribute so much to Australia’s prosperity,” he said. “The Toowoomba Region stands ready to play its part in a modern, efficient national freight network, and we will continue advocating for infrastructure that supports growth, productivity, and regional resilience.”

Mayor McDonald said Council would seek further clarity from the Federal Government and continue working with industry, community leaders, and neighbouring councils to ensure the region’s needs remain front and centre.

“Our community deserves certainty and a clear pathway forward,” he said. “We remain committed to securing the infrastructure investment our region needs to thrive.”