Ministerial Statement: New freight corridor better for people and koalas

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
26/11/2009

New freight corridor better for people and koalas

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has released the revised alignment for the Southern Freight Rail Corridor - a future rail corridor linking the existing Western line at Rosewood with the interstate line near Beaudesert.

The new corridor has a 12km deviation from the corridor which was previously released after community consultation revealed the existence of a koala habitat at Ebenezer / Willowbank.

The revised alignment protects that habitat and minimises human impact - cutting the number of affected properties by seven.

Minister Nolan said that with the size of the freight task set to double over the next 20 years it was vital that a future rail corridor be protected now before it is too late.

"Right now in South East Queensland we are paying the price for past governments' failure to plan for growth," Ms Nolan said.

"The Bligh Government is not going to make the same mistake and is taking the hard decisions to protect future transport corridors like this one."

It is not intended that the Southern Freight Rail Corridor will need to be used for at least 10-15 years.

Ms Nolan said that while planning was difficult and often disruptive for communities, government consulted widely and dealt compassionately with affected landholders.

"A draft Assessment Report on this corridor showing a preferred alignment, associated impacts and land requirements was released for public consultation in 2008.

"That process revealed community concern about the existence of the koala habitat and so government has gone back to the drawing board with independent experts confirming the existence of the habitat and the new alignment being decided.

"Government will now consult both with affected landholders and the broader community with a Revised Assessment Report due to be released early next year."

A map showing the relocated alignment in the Ebenezer / Willowbank area is available on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website www.tmr.qld.gov.au or can be requested by calling 1800 116 215.

==============================================================