Article: QR National's 'missing link' opens

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

QR National's 'missing link' opens

QR National's 'missing link' opens
Bridie Jabour
December 19, 2011 - 12:57PM

A crucial 69-kilometre rail track officially opened today may have cost $385 million, but it could mean millions more to Queensland's economy, according to the state government.

The Northern Missing Link rail corridor, one of the first big projects to be completed by QR National since the company was privatised last year, was officially opened this morning by Acting Premier Andrew Fraser.

The rail link will connect the existing mines of North Goonyella and Newlands and allow coal trains originating in central Queensland to be directed to the port of Abbot Point, near Bowen, for export.
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Mr Fraser said the rail link would make the process of exporting coal more efficient, which meant more money for the state.

"The 69 kilometre stretch of rail line increases the capacity of Queensland's coal exports to 50 million tonnes per year through the Port of Abbot Point and improves the efficiency and flexibility of our coal export industry," Mr Fraser said.

"This project is a key component of track expansions stretching from Goonyella to Abbot Point which have created an approximately total of 800 jobs and bolstered regional economies in central Queensland ...

"Now that QR National is a publicly listed company it has the ability to make this type of investment that benefits all Queenslanders, without taxpayers having to foot the bill."

The Northern Missing Link is part of the bigger $1.1 billion Goonyella to Abbot Point expansion project.

QR National managing director and chief executive Lance Hockridge called it a "critical" piece of national infrastructure that would help Australia meet growing global demand for coal exports.

"GAP is a genuine transformational project. It will create a step change in Queensland's coal exports and generate significant stimulus for the economy," he said.

"The Northern Missing Link had been on Queensland's infrastructure wish-list for over three decades."

Mr Hockridge said the Northern Missing Link had already injected millions of dollars in to central Queensland with the creation of 800 jobs over the two year life of the project.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/qr-nationals-missing-link-opens-20111219-1p1qo.html