CATHERINE KING MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MEMBER FOR BALLARAT
SHAYNE NEUMANN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL
MEMBER FOR BLAIR
MILTON DICK MP
MEMBER FOR OXLEY
FEDERAL LABOR COMMITS FUNDING FOR SPRINGFIELD TO IPSWICH RAIL LINE
An Albanese Labor Government will invest $2 million in taking the next step towards constructing a rail line between Ipswich and Springfield via the booming Ripley Valley by completing a business case into the important project.
When complete, this rail corridor could see a total of nine new stations constructed, taking pressure off congested roads, linking up the east and west of Ipswich, and getting locals home from work more quickly and easily.
Ipswich is the fastest growing city in Queensland, with the population set to more than double to around half a million by 2040.
The majority of that growth will occur in the southern suburbs, taking in Springfield, Redbank Plains, the Ripley Valley and Deebing Heights, where the population is growing at 25 per cent. This is well above the state average of 1.7 per cent.
That is why an Albanese Labor Government will join with the Palaszczuk Government and Ipswich City Council to invest in the future of this vital rail link.
State and local government have so far committed $1 million and $500,000 respectively to an options paper, but the Morrison-Joyce Government has failed to step up.
Ipswich has had no major infrastructure work over the eight long years since the last Federal Labor government.
Only an Albanese Labor Government will get on with this essential project and deliver the infrastructure Ipswich needs.
Comments attributable to Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers MP:
Federal Labor believes in investing in nation-building infrastructure to create jobs and grow local economies in Queensland.
If we want the national economy to grow strongly and create more jobs and opportunities then the Ipswich region needs to be a bigger part of that story.
The population here is expected to more than double in the next two decades to more than 500,000, making planning for public transport now absolutely vital.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King MP:
Labor has a strong track record of backing infrastructure in Ipswich and the Western Corridor.
It was the last Labor Government that built the Ipswich Motorway and it is only an Albanese Labor Government that will get on with building the infrastructure this growing community needs.
Ipswich is one of fastest-growing regions in the country, so we need to plan for this growth now.
Public transport infrastructure will be a key priority of an Albanese Labor Government and the Springfield to Ipswich transport corridor will be a game-changing investment for the region.
Comments attributable to Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP:
I have called on the Government to fund the business case for the Ipswich to Springfield rail line many times, but they have not listened.
Labor has listened and acted, and this funding will more than match the co-contribution of $1 million from the Palaszczuk Government and $500,000 from Ipswich City Council.
This project has stalled under the Liberals and Nationals, so we need to get the ball rolling as soon as possible on the business case.
The plan includes up to nine stations between Ipswich Central and Springfield Central, including at the Ipswich Showgrounds, Berry Street at Churchill, Yamanto, Deebing South, Ripley North, Ripley Town Centre, Swanbank, School Road at Redbank Plains and Keidges Road at Augustine Heights.
Comments attributable to Member for Oxley Milton Dick MP:
Getting public transport right is a crucial part of supporting continued growth and jobs in the Western Corridor region.
Infrastructure Australia’s 2021 Infrastructure Priority List identified Ipswich to Springfield transport capacity as a key issue, while its recent Australian Infrastructure Plan called for outer suburbs to be strengthened as fewer people are working in CBDs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rail corridor has already been preserved, and with strong future growth the capacity will be there to support a future rail link to Ripley.
The LNP is holding up planning for this critical rail project, but Labor will get this moving forward. Only Labor is on the side of Ipswich commuters.
FRIDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS:
BRETT MASON (CHALMERS) 0419 239 811
NICK BEAVER (KING) 0419 709 266
CHRIS CONDON (NEUMANN) 0422 018 616
ISABELLA SCATTINI (DICK) 0449 149 688
