Premier Statement: 'Southern Missing Link' Another Step Closer: Bligh

[ozbob]

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
27/11/2007

'Southern Missing Link' Another Step Closer: Bligh

CHINCHILLA: A study corridor has been identified for a billion-dollar railway project linking Surat's vast coal reserves - via the Southern Missing Link - with Gladstone's port facilities.

Premier Anna Bligh today announced that the Coordinator-General had declared the project 'significant'.

"Linked to this, the Surat Basin Rail consortium has identified a preliminary corridor between Wandoan and Banana for this 210km crucial, but missing, rail infrastructure," said Ms Bligh said while visiting the Darling Downs.

The Premier said that the Coordinator-General 'significant' declaration means he will coordinate a whole-of-government response on this key piece of railway line, so that the project can proceed.

"This project would be a massive economic driver locally, and for Queensland overall.

"The State Government is determined to see the Surat Basin Railway built so that the region can fulfil its export potential for coal and, potentially, other future mineral and agricultural products.

"'Significant' project status means the consortium now has to conduct detailed environmental, social, economic and engineering investigations as part of the EIS process before the final route can be identified. "

The proposed rail corridor largely follows existing road reserves including the Leichhardt Highway, Nathan Road and Cracow-Theodore Road. It will join existing Queensland Rail lines between Wandoan and Toowoomba and Moura and Gladstone.

The corridor passes around Wandoan with options to the east or west of the town, and continues along Nathan Road towards Cracow before passing to the east of Theodore.

Surat Basin Rail is a consortium including the Australian Transport and Energy Corridor (ATEC), Industry Funds Management, Queensland Rail, Xstrata Coal and Anglo Coal.

Construction will require up to 600 workers over a 30-month timeframe.

"The Surat Basin Rail project typifies this government's willingness to work with the private sector when necessary to get things moving," Ms Bligh said.

"It will be open-access, so all businesses can use it, able to accommodate trains of up to 2.5km long and, most importantly, the State Government will retain ownership of the final corridor.

"The Southern Missing Link is designed to join up with the proposed Wiggins Island Coal terminal so that coal exports can be maximised.

"Another potential benefit could be additional passenger capacity on the Brisbane urban rail network as some of the coal transport task is switched to the Surat Basin Railway."

It is expected the Coordinator-General will release draft Terms of Reference for public comment by March next year and that the EIS could be released by December 2008.

A decision to proceed with the project is not expected before 2009.

The Queensland Government awarded an unconditional mandate to the private consortium in July to investigate the economic feasibility of the Surat Basin Railway until 2010.

An Initial Advice Statement, prepared by Surat Basin Rail, is available at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au. The public will also have the opportunity to comment on the Environmental Impact Statement when it is released.

[ozbob]

Interesting article in Courier Mail today (1st Dec 2007) page 80 Business section 'The missing link' highlighting advantages of the development of the rail link from Wandoan to Banana.

Doesn't seem to available online.

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Paul Lucas
17/04/2008

Southern Missing Link a Step Closer

The proposed billion-dollar Southern Missing Link railway has moved a step closer, with the draft Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement now open to public comment.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas today told Parliament the rail project will link the Surat Basin's vast coal reserves with Gladstone's port facilities.

"The State Government is determined to see the Southern Missing Link built, it is a vital project that will help secure Queensland's economic future," said Mr Lucas.

"This 207 kilometre link in the rail network will connect the Surat Basin's 6.3 billion tonnes of coal reserves to the Port of Gladstone.

"It will open up the economy of the Surat Basin region in the south-western part of Queensland to become a future powerhouse.

"The Southern Missing Link will mean this region can fulfil its export potential for coal and other possible future mineral and agricultural products.

"A number of large-scale mining and energy projects are proposed over the coming years which could create significant new employment and business opportunities for local communities such as Chinchilla, Miles and Wandoan.

"This new link will do for Southern Inland Queensland what the Blackwater, Goonyella and Newlands systems have done for the Bowen Basin.

"If it proceeds, construction on this billion dollar railway will employ up to 600 workers for 30 months."

The Coordinator-General is overseeing a whole of Government response to this key piece of infrastructure, to ensure the project's assessment is both thorough and timely.

"Coordinator-General Colin Jensen has advised that public submissions can now be lodged on the draft Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement," Mr Lucas said.

"I encourage the community to have their say on the environmental, social and economic issues that should be investigated for this important railway.

"In 2006 the State Government granted an exclusive mandate to a consortium to develop the Surat Basin Railway through to financial close by mid 2010.

"The Surat Basin Rail Consortium includes the Australian Transport and Energy Corridor, Industry Funds Managements, Queensland Rail, Xstrata Coal and Anglo Coal.

"This EIS process will require the consortium to outline the area's existing state, identify any potential impacts and strategies to minimise them.

"The proposed rail corridor largely follows existing road reserves, most notably the Leichhardt Highway, Nathan Road and Cracow-Theodore Road, to join existing Queensland Rail lines at Wandoan and Banana."

Public consultation will occur until May 16. For information on the draft Terms of Reference and advice on how to make a submission, visit the Department of Infrastructure and Planning's website www.dip.qld.gov.au/eis

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