Toowoomba Crossing Announcement Good News for Farmers

AUSTRALIA - Key steps towards improving the efficiency of Queensland’s freight network have been taken with confirmation the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) will be constructed.
calendar icon 6 February 2014
clock icon 2 minute read

Jointly announced by Deputy Premier, Jeff Seeney, and Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss, the

A$1.7 billion, 41 kilometre project has long been identified by AgForce Queensland as fundamental to
improving transport of the state’s agricultural commodities.

AgForce General President, Ian Burnett, said the broadacre grain and cattle industries would
particularly benefit in addition to agriculture and communities across the region.

“This announcement is welcomed after years of advocacy for this project from AgForce, as well as
other organisations prior to our formation, and we congratulate both levels of Government on
delivering this much needed commitment to constructing this vital infrastructure,” Mr Burnett said.

“Research has shown transport costs from farmgate to foreign customer represent between 13.1pc
and 29.7pc of the total farmgate value of beef produced for export in Australia so gains in transport
efficiency are critical to managing production input costs.

“The TSRC will greatly improve safety, congestion, efficiency and productivity to not only benefit
agriculture but all road users.”

Mr Burnett said AgForce now looked to the Government for more detail on how the TSRC will be
integrated into the state’s road network and freight-related regulations.

“This announcement is warmly welcomed by industry, however we now require detail as to
whether government will commit to a freight route that support complete Heavy Vehicle access
from the western parts of the state, for example Mount Isa and St George, to Brisbane.

“There will also need to be clarification as to how ongoing maintenance will be funded.

“Once this detail is finalised we look forward to our industry enjoying greater freight effectiveness
and to even more efficiently contributing to Queensland’s economy.”

TheCattleSite News Desk

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