Industry backs Toowoomba Second Range Crossing

The infrastructure sector has thrown its support behind the Abbott and Newman governments’ Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project with 63 consortia and individual companies submitting Registrations of Interest (ROI). 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss and Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the ROI process, which closed Friday, was designed to gauge the level of interest in the market for the construction, operation and maintenance of the 41 kilometre road project. 

“From the broad range of enquiries received, it is clear there is a very high level of interest from industry players, both big and small, in getting involved in this exciting project that will help drive economic growth in Queensland,” Mr Truss said. 

“The registrations range from international and Australian consortia through to smaller local construction companies.” 

Mr Nicholls said the companies included many well-known Australian and international major planning and construction firms. 

“The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is one of our Government’s top three infrastructure priorities,” he said. 

“The Newman Government came to office promising to deliver better infrastructure and this major road project is a clear demonstration we’re keeping that promise. 

“We’ve been able to secure an 80-20 funding arrangement which will mean the Federal Government will contribute up to $1.3 billion for this vital road project. 

“It’s a project that will have major economic benefits as it opens up further development of the Surat Basin and the Darling Downs. 

“Queensland’s economy has now seen 24 months of consecutive growth in the property and construction sectors and this project will provide continued stimulus for growth. 

“We expect more than 1,800 new jobs will be created as a result of the construction and operation of this project.” 

Australian Minister for Industry and Federal Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane said the strong show of support from private enterprise was testament to the importance of the bypass to the national infrastructure network. 

“This level of interest in building the Second Range Crossing will be enthusiastically welcomed by the people of Toowoomba because it is a significant step towards the start of construction,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts agreed the strong interest from industry in the project was exciting news for Toowoomba.

“The number of companies registering interest means industry is getting behind this project which means so much for Toowoomba,” Mr Watts said. 

“The second range crossing will give heavy commercial vehicles a way to bypass Toowoomba’s CBD when transporting goods to market, unclogging a bottleneck in the national infrastructure.”

Queensland Agriculture Minister and Member for Toowoomba South John McVeigh said the new range crossing would free up capacity on Queensland’s transportation networks. 

“That’s great news for Queensland’s agricultural industries as we aim to meet our goal of doubling agricultural output by 2040,” Mr McVeigh said. 

“The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is an essential piece of road infrastructure that will help us reach that goal and grow our agriculture sector.” 

Mr Nicholls said there would be further opportunities to attract private sector players in the approaching Expression of Interest (EOI) phase, expected to be launched in late March. 

[ENDS] 8 March 2014

Media Contacts: Mr Nicholls       Maree Lacey 0409 947 957

                             Mr Truss         Brett Heffernan 0467 650 020