A study commissioned in 2006 by the former Howard Government to assess the cost and viability of delivering the Toowoomba Bypass has today been publically released.

The $10 million study investigated the possibility of delivering the Toowoomba Bypass as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). This analysis was done in accordance with Queensland's PPP Value for Money Framework.

The study’s key findings are:

• The cost of the Toowoomba Bypass is estimated at $1.75 billion;


• The project's direct economic costs outweigh its direct economic benefits – resulting in a negative economic value;


• The PPP delivery option does not represent good value for money and is unlikely to attract sufficient private interest; and


• The magnitude of the required upfront government contribution would render the project commercially unattractive under a PPP delivery model.

The study was provided to Infrastructure Australia so it could make an assessment as to whether this project should be included on its National Priority List.

The Government has now received Infrastructure Australia’s National Priority List. It will be considered by Federal Cabinet, with the timing of its public release a matter for government.

Full report can be found at: www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/publications/reports.