THE Gillard Labor government has promised $742 million towards the construction of a 12.6-kilometre, $1.1 billion extension to Brisbane’s suburban rail network.

However, federal funds for the Moreton Bay Rail Link would not be available until 2014-15, with major construction in 2014-16.

The rail line will connect to the existing network at Petrie, 27km north of Brisbane, and include six new stations.

As well as the federal contribution, the state government has pledged $300 million and the Moreton Bay Regional Council $105 million.

The federal Opposition responded to the announcement with a promise of its own - $750 million for the project by 2014-15.

The Moreton Bay Rail Link was not given a high priority on the list of projects recently supplied to the federal government by its advisory body, Infrastructure Australia.

IA said the project had “real potential” but it saw more merit in extending the city’s Eastern Busway.

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