Article: AgForce pursues cattle transport solution

[ozbob]

From the North Queensland Register click here!

AgForce pursues cattle transport solution

AgForce pursues cattle transport solution
18/12/2008 2:49:00 PM

AgForce says that Queensland Rail has reiterated that at the direction of Transport Minister John Mickel it has shelved proposed closures of more cattle loading points on the northern and southern lines until issues with industry have been resolved.

As part of ongoing negotiations with Mr Mickel about the transport of agricultural commodities in Queensland, AgForce yesterday hosted a Cattle Industry Rail Forum attended by producers, processors and relevant government departments.

AgForce president John Cotter said yesterday's round of consultations centred on proposed Queensland Rail loading point closures on the northern line at Hughenden, Malbon, Neila, Richmond and Charters Towers and at Dalby on the southern line.

Industry representatives at the meeting were unanimous in their view that any further rail closures would threaten the viability of the entire cattle rail network, cost processing jobs and impact significantly on producers? returns and transport costs.

"Any further line closures will push more cattle on to roads, which would have implications for road infrastructure, animal welfare and new driver fatigue laws, therefore it is essential that the broader implications for both the industry and the community be considered," Mr Cotter said.

"AgForce wants proposed changes suspended pending the development of an effective integrated transport strategy for agricultural commodities by the Queensland Government, integrating both the road and rail networks.

"We put our issues on the table and Queensland Rail agreed it would not alter services until issues with industry are resolved, which is an important concession in negotiating a long-term solution.

"The forum was an opportunity to crystallise the factors that influence an effective integrated transport strategy that should be developed by a taskforce from the departments of Transport, Main Roads and Primary Industries overseen by an external skills-based chair."

Late last month, AgForce vice-president Ian Burnett chaired a similar meeting outlining grain freight issues as a result of which Queensland Rail is making progress towards securing two additional grain freight trains, one in central Queensland and one in southern Queensland.

In January next year, AgForce will again meet with Minister John Mickel to confirm progress in resolving rail freight issues outlined at these meetings and commit to a process to overcoming them in a timely and affordable fashion.

[Dean Quick]

Its about time those bigwigs at QR were told exactly what everybody thinks of their planned service cutbacks to rural areas. Cutting back services only gives QR an excuse to close branch lines of which there have been far to many over the last few years. NO MORE SERVICE CUTS!!!