Developers and residents want Springfield's proposed rail link fast-tracked following the State Government's announcement it will build two new satellite cities close by.
The Government last week outlined the development of the Ripley Valley and Greater Flagstone cities surrounding Springfield.
While development could start before the end of 2011, the Government remains committed to completing the region's rail line in 2015.
However, Springfield Land Corporation managing director Bob Sharpless was ``quietly confident'' the government would commit money in next Tuesday's Budget to bring the line's completion date forward and service Ripley Valley.
``(Ripley Valley) just reinforces the need for rail,'' he said. ``We've got Horizon Alliance that's building rail to Richlands, and I think the Government are going to want to keep the alliance in place.''
Ray White Springfield principal Steve Hodgson, who is a resident of Brookwater, said it was crucial that greater Springfield be finished before Ripley Valley commenced.
``There's a lot more that needs to be done in this area,'' he said.
RAIL Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said bringing the line's completion forward made sense to attract home buyers to Ripley Valley.
A spokesman for State Planning Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said future budget and planning decisions on the rail and satellite cities would be announced in due course.
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COMMENT: Although it might suit some individual real estate agents, it is not desirable for development in other parts of Ipswich to be delayed until Springfield is fully developed. This would give an unfair commercial advantage to Springfield Land Corporation for the next 30 years and would totally stifle development in the western corridor - the fastest growing area in Australia. It would also work to the disadvantage of house and land buyers because competition invariably works in the interests of consumers. Having competing developments at Goodna, Bellbird Park, Augustine Heights, Redbank Plains and the Ripley Valley will not only keep prices down with fierce competition between developers, it will also enhance development in Ipswich and the broader western corridor. Any suggestion that Springfield should get preferential treatment should be rejected by all fair-minded citizens.
