Inland Rail

[Gazza]

No it's not.

Spending billions putting it in an unecessary tunnel (When other electric freight lines are above ground anyway) would mean less money available for bikeways, active transport etc.

[verbatim9]

That's just a hypothetical, depends on the overall economy, Government operations, earnings and expenditures.

Where there is a tunnel there is more room for segregated bike lanes on the surface.

[Gazza]

The above ground option is going along a motorway corridor, and it's not like you're going to build vibrant communities next to a freeway.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Murarrie+QLD+4172/@-27.4680621,153.1158053,1567m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b915945deaa9ead:0x502a35af3de9230!8m2!3d-27.4561512!4d153.1063578
You could also build a cylceway parallel to the freight line, following the shallow grades as part of the project.

Just build the freight line cheaply along the motorway so the job is done, and then focus on making liveable communities in all the other built up areas of Brisbane:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Murarrie+QLD+4172/@-27.4897994,153.0449579,7446m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b915945deaa9ead:0x502a35af3de9230!8m2!3d-27.4561512!4d153.1063578

[achiruel]

^^I hope we get the electric tunnel version, its the way of the future.

It's idiotically expensive and serves no purpose that couldn't be met for much less money than a surface route following the Gateway Mwy.

The idea that a 35-40m access width would be required is similarly ridiculous. 2 standard gauge tracks and an access road could easily fit into 20m.

I also think it's high time we looked at getting the intermodal terminal out of Acacia Ridge completely. Parkinson seems like a good choice. Does anyone know if the land south of the Logan Mwy and east of the railway line is zoned for industrial use? Trucks could get directly on the motorway to go west (M2/M5), north, and south (M2/M6/M1), rather than having to use Beaudesert Rd and the BUC.

[#Metro]

Yes for new terminal as well. Plenty of land at the port too.

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 7th March 2021 page 36

Tunnel a fix for fraught freight

RESIDENTS along one of Brisbane's busiest freight corridors would see improved productivity and a better quality of life if an underground rail link between Inland Rail and the Port of Brisbane is built.

Griffith University cities research institute Associate Professor Matthew Burke said similar freight projects have removed up to 90 per cent of freight from roads.

He said that would come as a relief to residents along the major Kessells Rd and Riawena Rd corridor between Acacia Ridge and the Gateway Motorway, who could suffer crippling congestion and round-the-clock truck movements.

"Anyone who lives along the route who experiences airbraking will know... (B-Double trucks) are extremely loud," Assoc Prof Burke said.

"That disruption travels a good 800m from the corridor.

"When we introduced double-stacking freight across the Nullarbor, we eliminated 90 per cent of the road traffic that was on the highway."

Assoc Prof Burke said the route between the Port and Inland Rail's current terminus took trucks past suburban homes.

"It's going to be quite problematic having that large number of trucks," he said.

"You have significant disruption to people's sleep, which then goes on to affect everything from their workplace productivity to their health."

But as a consequence of planning decisions 30 years ago, Assoc Prof Burke said the only solution was now to build a tunnel to the port.

"Had we preserved a corridor about 30 years ago, it would've been a lot easier," Assoc Prof Burke said.

"Some people might say it's gold plating to move to tunnelling, that we could have it cheaper ... sure, but if we're to invest some serious money at any stage, why not do it now?

"We either need to decant freight to a horrendous fleet of B-Doubles or we move to a rail solution."

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Businesses meet with Inland Rail proponents on Queensland PPP section

The ARTC is talking up the economic benefits of the Inland Rail for southern Queensland.

THOUSANDS of jobs are said to be "up for grabs" as part of the Queensland public-private partnership section of the Inland Rail project.

Local and indigenous business representatives heard from the Australian Rail Track Corporation and shortlisted consortia Capstone, G2Konnect and Regionerate Rail who are bidding to build the section of Inland Rail from outside Toowoomba at Gowrie to Kagaru near Beaudesert section as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

ARTC Inland Rail director of planning Rebecca Pickering said more than 200 people attended the session at the town of Gatton in the Lockyer Valley.

"Three world-class consortia have been shortlisted to bid on the construction of the PPP section, and we expect opportunities for QLD businesses will dramatically increase when the successful proponent is announced later in the year," Mrs Pickering said. ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> 'This will burden our ratepayers for 30 years': Logan mayor threatens to sue Inland Rail $

A southside mayor has threatened to sue the federal government and the developer of the national Inland Rail freight line.

Logan mayor Darren Power threatened to take legal action against rail developer ARTC, if the high-volume freight line caused problems with the city's roads, bridges, flood plains and residential properties after it is built.

Cr Power said he did not want southeast councils to be footing the bill to rectify failed infrastructure the federal government should pay for. ...

[pangwen]

^^I hope we get the electric tunnel version, its the way of the future.

It's idiotically expensive and serves no purpose that couldn't be met for much less money than a surface route following the Gateway Mwy.

The idea that a 35-40m access width would be required is similarly ridiculous. 2 standard gauge tracks and an access road could easily fit into 20m.

I also think it's high time we looked at getting the intermodal terminal out of Acacia Ridge completely. Parkinson seems like a good choice. Does anyone know if the land south of the Logan Mwy and east of the railway line is zoned for industrial use? Trucks could get directly on the motorway to go west (M2/M5), north, and south (M2/M6/M1), rather than having to use Beaudesert Rd and the BUC.

No, the area east of the railway and south of the Logan Mwy is part of the Council's Parkinson Bushlands and has been earmarked as part of a future Oxley Creek to Karawatha recreation corridor: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/20180621-oxley-creek-to-karawatha-outdoor-recreation-concept-plan-june-2018.pdf

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Gladstone usurps Brisbane as much cheaper Inland Rail destination

Australia's $15 billion Inland Rail project from Melbourne would be more than $4 billion cheaper if it used Toowoomba as a hub for local freight rather than extending to Brisbane, a study shows.

International freight, however, would be transported by rail from Toowoomba, through the Surat Basin, then exported from Gladstone, not Brisbane, the study released in February by AEC Group consultants shows.

There is still no confirmed costed and approved way to get rail freight from the Acacia Ridge freight processing centre – the destination of the existing Inland Rail route – to the Port of Brisbane, except by tripling the number of trucks driving through Salisbury and Acacia Ridge.

Deloitte Access Economics estimated in 2017 it could cost $2.8 billion to build a link from Acacia Ridge to the Port of Brisbane.

Gladstone, on the other hand, has an unconstrained port, with the 27,000 hectare Gladstone State Development area beside it. ...

[MTPCo]

One of the forgotten benefits of the CRR long tunnel arrangement was the fact that it provided a dual guage line, free of passenger traffic and curfews, from the PoB to Acacia Ridge. Whether it provided enough capacity on its own without the addition of passing loops would have depended on the flows and volumes, but it seems like that $2.8bn could have gone a long way to remedying that issue (and of course there would have been a faster passenger alignment, segregation of stopping and express services, higher overall capacity including for the Beaudesert line...)

[verbatim9]

Brisbanetimes --> Gladstone usurps Brisbane as much cheaper Inland Rail destination

Australia's $15 billion Inland Rail project from Melbourne would be more than $4 billion cheaper if it used Toowoomba as a hub for local freight rather than extending to Brisbane, a study shows.

International freight, however, would be transported by rail from Toowoomba, through the Surat Basin, then exported from Gladstone, not Brisbane, the study released in February by AEC Group consultants shows.

There is still no confirmed costed and approved way to get rail freight from the Acacia Ridge freight processing centre – the destination of the existing Inland Rail route – to the Port of Brisbane, except by tripling the number of trucks driving through Salisbury and Acacia Ridge.

Deloitte Access Economics estimated in 2017 it could cost $2.8 billion to build a link from Acacia Ridge to the Port of Brisbane.

Gladstone, on the other hand, has an unconstrained port, with the 27,000 hectare Gladstone State Development area beside it. ...

Gladstone while a cheaper alternative will not have long term benefits. Brisbane is a larger port that can handle a lot more freight than Gladstone can. Gladstone is a long way from a major population centre. Freight destined for Brisbane would need to be overloaded in Toowoomba then freighted by trucks or narrow gauge train to Acacia Ridge or Port of Brisbane. This would put tremendous strain on the Warrego Hwy and local arterial roads in Brisbane, which would increase the likelyhood of accidents, increase noise and air pollution.

[#Metro]

Would it be fair to say that we have the rail equivalent of a goat track for freight in QLD?

[ozbob]

Would it be fair to say that we have the rail equivalent of a goat track for freight in QLD?

Inland rail seems to be progressing in the other states, but when it hits Queensland it becomes an omnishambles.

No great surprise is it?   

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Brisbane doesn't want it': Why Gladstone believes it should be the end of the Inland Rail line

Gladstone mayor Matt Burnett has a message for the federal government about the 1700 kilometre, $15 billion Inland Rail project, which is struggling for traction and community understanding in Queensland.

At present, the planned route for the much-discussed Port of Melbourne to Port of Brisbane freight rail link ends at the already-congested Acacia Ridge freight terminal.

Without a viable way to get to the Port of Brisbane, container truck traffic around Acacia Ridge and the Port of Brisbane will triple.

"The residents of Acacia Ridge do not want it," Cr Burnett says. "Our point is, Brisbane doesn't want it, but Gladstone does."

The original rail freight concept – developed by futurist Everald Compton in the 1990s – was to link the Port of Melbourne with the Port of Gladstone on its way to Darwin.

But by the 2000s, the Port of Gladstone as a destination had been replaced by the Port of Brisbane, after a detour from Toowoomba down the range and past south-east Queensland towns into Acacia Ridge.

Now, in 2021, there is still no funded, approved route from Acacia Ridge's truck-congested freight processing plant to the Port of Brisbane. ...

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2021/249-2021.pdf

Question on Notice

No. 249
Asked on 11 March 2021

MR J LISTER ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:
With reference to advice from the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries
(ref: CTS 30011/18) to The Millmerran Rail Group, that 'The Honourable Mark Baily MP, Minister
for Transport and Main Roads will not sign the Gazette for land resumptions for the Inland Rail
Route until the EIS has been fully completed and until the Palaszczuk Government is satisfied
that genuine consultation with affected communities has taken place'—

Will the minister (a) confirm that the above statement continues to reflect his intentions with
respect to land resumptions for the Border-to-Gowrie sector of Inland Rail and

(b) advise themechanism(s) and standards by which he intends to ascertain whether or not genuine
consultation with affected communities has taken place?

ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Southern Downs for the question.

The Inland Rail Bi-Lateral Agreement, negotiated by the Palaszczuk Government, includes
protections to ensure the needs of Queensland communities along the proposed railway are
addressed. This includes a more meaningful and rigorous consultation process, a greater focus
on floodplain modelling and design, restrictions to some coal train operations and addressing
concerns about noise, dust and social impacts.

The Queensland and Australian governments also struck a funding deal to boost investment in
transport and roads infrastructure across Queensland as part of the agreement on Inland Rail.
This included bringing forward $650 million worth of existing commitments.

The Member would be aware that Inland Rail is an LNP Federal Government project. The
Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is leading the planning and development of the Inland
Rail Project on behalf of the LNP Federal Government. The ARTC is chaired by a former
LiberalNational Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationals, the Honourable WarrenTruss AC.
I would encourage the Member for Southern Downs to reach out to his LNP colleagues
at the Federal level to discuss these issues and their management of ARTC.

I can, however, confirm the statement the Member refers to remains my intention for land
resumptions for the Inland Rail project sections in Queensland. Compulsory land acquisition for
the rail corridor in each section will not occur until the respective Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) has been fully completed and until the Palaszczuk Government is satisfied that genuine
consultation with affected communities has taken place. The EIS involves rigorous assessment
of environmental, social and economic impacts. The terms of reference include specific
requirements for public consultation to understand specific detail about peoples' concerns.
Members of the public are invited to make a submission on the draft EIS during the public
notification period, including the projects potential direct and indirect environmental impacts and
effectiveness of mitigation measures proposed to manage those impacts. The
Coordinator-General will consider all submissions as part of the evaluation of the project's
environmental impacts and, in considering, if the project can proceed subject to conditions. The
completed EIS and the supporting reports and directions on community consultation will form part
of considerations prior to any land resumptions commencing for this project.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring Queensland gets the best outcome from
the project, and that the Australian Government considers and responds appropriately to issues
raised by Queenslanders.
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2020–21 to 2023–24
represents a record investment in road and transport infrastructure for the fifth year in a row, with
$26.9 billion in works committed over the next four years, supporting an average of approximately
23,600 direct jobs over the life of the program. Of this, $2.779 billion is committed across the
Department of Transport and Main Roads' Southern Queensland Region, which is estimated to
support an average of 2780 direct jobs over the life of the program.

With the pandemic impacting Queensland businesses and communities, significant road
upgrades will be delivered to help stimulate the economy as part of Unite and Recover:
Queensland's Economic Recovery Plan. These upgrades provide immediate economic record
benefits, support more jobs and deliver ongoing benefits of vital infrastructure for years to come.
The QTRIP 2020–21 to 2023–24 includes continued delivery of the $12.6 billion, 15-year jointly
funded program to upgrade the Bruce Highway, the continued delivery of more than $3.4 billion
in upgrades on the M1 Pacific Motorway, the commencement of the $1.53 billion Coomera
Connector (Stage 1) project between Nerang and Coomera, over $1 billion for dedicated and
targeted initiatives to bolster the Queensland Government's commitment to road safety, the
$709.9 million Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 project, and a $1 billion new pipeline of rail projects
that includes making trains again in Queensland.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Residents say the multi-billion-dollar Inland Rail will devastate Queensland's Scenic Rim

A national multi-billion-dollar rail infrastructure project is moving full steam ahead, despite Queensland communities refusing to give up the fight over the 1,700-kilometre line.

Peak Crossing, a Scenic Rim town of about 1,000 people west of Brisbane, will be heavily impacted when the Inland Rail is built through its heart.

Community members have been rallying for years in a "greenfield" section of the rail line called Calvert to Kagaru.

"Greenfield" is used to refer to an area where a brand new rail line will be built as part of the project, as opposed to using an existing track. ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> $20 million Brisbane rail study delayed $

A $20 million government study to decide the fate of the missing Inland Rail link to the Port of Brisbane has been delayed by six months, as a Senate inquiry into the broader major infrastructure project revealed the Commonwealth hasn't yet decided if Acacia Ridge will be the end of the line.

The Sunday Mail can reveal the jointly funded Port of Brisbane Strategic Rail Access Study, aimed at investigating "detailed options and timing for a potential dedicated freight corridor to the Port of Brisbane", was meant to be up and running and complete by mid-2022.

The Sunday Mail's Missing Link campaign aims to unlock the massive potential a dedicated freight link from the Inland Rail to the Port of Brisbane would bring, as well as taking millions of trucks off choked city roads.

But the state and federal governments have confirmed the study won't be complete until at least the end of 2022, and neither have explained the reasons behind the delay.

The delay could cost Queensland the chance to set aside money in this year's budget to facilitate the project.

A Deloitte study from 2019 conducted for the Port of Brisbane found the link would pump $5.4bn into the economy and create an average of 1200 jobs a year. ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Forgotten residents' fume over Inland Rail environmental impact snub

No environmental impact study will be carried out into the crucial Beaudesert (Kagaru) to Acacia Ridge leg of the federal government's $14.5 billion, 1700-kilometre Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project.

Instead, Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads will consult the community over the rail section.

Residents Against Inland Rail – the Queensland group opposing the link from Kagaru, south-east of Brisbane, to Acacia Ridge in Brisbane's south – say 50,000 "forgotten residents" are being snubbed. ...

[JimmyP]

I honestly don't understand why these people think there needs to be an EIS for Kagaru -Acacia Ridge. It's an already in place, operational railway!
Does there need to be an EIS done every time new services are added to the passenger network? Or everytime a new truck is purchased to travel on the road network? Or even for any other sections of railway, including this one when freight service levels have changed over the years before Inland Rail was funded? No! So why would it be different for this specific section of an already operational railway? F***ing NIMBYs
I would bet my bottom dollar that there wouldn't be a peep out of these people if it were decided the Mt Lindsay Hwy from Acacia Ridge to Flagstone was upgraded to higher capacities.

[verbatim9]

In regards to community sentiment; many would like a line straight to the port preferably an electric line. To have the line terminate at Acacia Ridge would be madness.

[JimmyP]

In regards to community sentiment; many would like a line straight to the port preferably an electric line. To have the line terminate at Acacia Ridge would be madness.

And most of the current whingers will still be getting all the Inland Rail trains past them if that happened.
In reality, a fair chunk of traffic on Inland Rail (most intermodal stuff) won't be going to Port anyway, it'll be bound for Brisbane or further north (trans-shipment to [preferably] narrow gauge trains to head north).

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Up to 4500 Lockyer Valley homes have the potential to be affected by Inland Rail by 2040, a study has revealed $

Alarm bells are ringing for five key Lockyer Valley towns as details of the Inland Rail project come to light.

A good night's sleep will be hard to come by for 4500 homes between Grantham, Helidon, Laidley, Forest Hill and Gatton, a study has found.

A draft environmental impact statement has revealed noise from the double-stacked freight trains will impact 175 houses.

But that number is expected to soar as the population continues to boom, with the World Health Organisation predicting 4500 homes by 2040.

Lockyer mayor Tanya Milligan said the impact of the Helidon to Calvert line would be "devastating for many in the region".

"National benefits shouldn't come at the cost of our residents," Cr Milligan said.  ...

[ozbob]

Inland Rail – Helidon to Calvert (H2C) project – draft environmental impact statement

https://haveyoursay.dsd.qld.gov.au/coordinatorgeneral/inlandrailh2c-deis/

[JimmyP]

Oh FFS. There is already a heavy haul, primarily coal, railway there!! Chances are the locos hauling Inland Rail trains will also be significantly quieter than the old locos currently runni g the coal trains too!
So much BS scaremongering going around about Inland Rail. I do wonder what the motivations are.. Road/trucking lobby in the media's ear perhaps?

[ozbob]

Yo!

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1395442720735326208

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1395436657751465992

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Inland_Rail/status/1397710888535085060

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Inland Rail set to bring big transport cost savings

A new report has talked up the benefits of the Inland Rail concept.

SHIFTING to Inland Rail could save Australian producers, manufacturers and growers about $170 million in transport costs each year according to early results of a CSIRO supply chain analysis.

Deputy PM and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack welcomed the early release of findings from the CSIRO Inland Rail Supply Chain Mapping Study as further proof of the Inland Rail benefits.

"In regional Australia distances between communities and towns, and towns and cities are measured in more than miles and minutes – they're measured in the cost of moving essential goods where and when people need them," the DPM said.

"CSIRO has mapped supply chains for 140 commodities and the early results show an average transport cost reduction of 39 per cent can be achieved by shifting freight from road to Inland Rail for at least part of the journey."

Freight travelling the full length of Inland Rail between Melbourne and Brisbane achieves a higher transport cost reduction of 44 per cent.

Finance minister Simon Birmingham welcomed the initial findings of the CSIRO report.

"The report recognises businesses as far as Townsville, Perth and Launceston would have the potential to reap the benefits with suitable road-based supply chains to expect a 44 per cent reduction in their transport costs when switching to Inland Rail," Birmingham said.

"Equally, existing rail-based supply chains are estimated to see an annual cost reduction of around $21 million when shifting at least part of their route to Inland Rail between Melbourne and Brisbane.

Local government minister and federal MP Parkes Mark Coulton said the largest freight rail infrastructure project in Australia would bring extensive opportunities to regional Australia.

"This study is the green light signalling to the industry to start planning now because the potential cost savings for being connected to, or close by, Inland Rail are immense for farmers and regional businesses," Minister Coulton said.

"Heavier, faster freight trains will divert non-bulk products from roads and provide the competitive edge regional Australia has been calling for." ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Greenbank State School named on Inland Rail safety hit list $

A primary school is on notice after the road it is on was named as one of 10 tipped to be seriously affected by construction of the Inland Rail freight line.

Greenbank State School on Goodna Rd was expected to experience more traffic snarls and safety concerns during the line's construction.

At the top of the list was Teviot Rd from Bushman Dr to Middle Rd at Greenbank, with

Greenbank Rd from Mount Lindesay Highway to Teviot Rd and Johnson Rd from Peverell St to the Logan Motorway earmarked. ...

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ipswich council responds to Helidon to Calvert Inland Rail concerns with Grandchester residents worried about level crossing $

IPSWICH City Council has yet to finalise its formal objections to the 47 km stretch of Inland Rail which will run through rural areas to the city's west via the Lockyer Valley.

The federal government's $15 billion freight rail project will connect Melbourne and Brisbane via New South Wales.

The Helidon to Calvert (H2C) section is one of two that will run through Ipswich alongside the Calvert to Kagaru (C2K) section, which extends south east into the Scenic Rim region.

Construction of a new dual gauge rail line, which is being delivered by the Australian Rail Track Corporation, is set to include an 850 metre long tunnel through the Little Liverpool Range near Laidley.

The H2C route will travel through Placid Hills, Gatton, Laidley and Grandchester and it is planned to include 26 rail bridges.

Ipswich councillors were set to endorse the organisation's objections via a formal submission in response to the ARTC's draft Environmental Impact Statement at last month's full council meeting.

The EIS was released to the public on March 31 with council officers undertaking a detailed review of the document to identify whether all potential impacts on local residents have been identified.

The council spent about $13,000 for external support on reviewing the complex document.

A response was due on June 24. ...

[ozbob]

Ipswich First (ICC) --> Council raises concerns with Inland Rail project

Ipswich City Council has responded to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 47-kilometre Helidon to Calvert section of the $5 billion Inland Rail Project, highlighting the impacts on traffic and road safety of new level crossings, and risks regarding emergency management, noise and native flora and fauna among other issues in its submission to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

Council unanimously adopted the submission at a meeting on 22 July, referencing a proposed At-Grade Level Crossing at Grandchester Mount Mort Road and urging the ARTC to adhere to the objective of the Queensland Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2012 to 2021 to minimise any proposals to construct new crossings on a greenfield site according to its 'zero-harm' goal.

Land bridges for koalas were also raised as an area for action, given that fauna crossings are aligned with creeks and rail bridges under the current proposal, along with the need for accurate flood mapping and a long-term plan to address noise impacts on residents.

Mayor Teresa Harding said now is the time to set the terms to manage the impacts of Inland Rail.

"This is a major, national project which could have significant economic benefits for Ipswich and Queensland in terms of construction jobs and new precincts," Mayor Harding said.

"However, it's important we get off on the right foot, ensuring that impacts on Ipswich residents, local businesses and the environment are considered from the beginning. ...

[ozbob]

Australian Parliament

Inland Rail: derailed from the start
August 2021

> https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/InlandRail/Report

[ozbob]

^

Couriermail --> Inland Rail: Senate Inquiry report promotes Gladstone route $

'Derailed from the start' is the subtitle of the Senate Inquiry's report into the management of the Inland Rail project.

The report was handed down on Wednesday evening, August 11, after almost two years and several delays.

The inquiry was made up of 14 senators from across the political spectrum and they have now concluded the $14.3 billion project was based on an outdated 2015 business case and was undermined by predictions it could blow out to more than $20 billion.

It was concluded this cost could undermine the business case and 'casts doubt over the ARTC and the Australian Government's capacity to manage the project'.

Senators compiled a list of 26 recommendations for the project, many which are directed to the controversial route through Queensland.

Recommendation two states than an independent review of the 2015 business case that includes a publicly available review and sensitivity analysis on all possible routes from Melbourne to Brisbane and Gladstone.

The report also states that a vital feature of Inland Rail is its connectivity to sea ports and other intermodal facilities such as Toowoomba's Interlink SQ.

The committee heard the reason why direct connectivity to the Port of Brisbane wasn't considered was because the Acacia Ridge route could meet demand until at least 2040 and would 'not require transhipment at landside intermodal terminals'. Some goods wouldn't need to be, or could not be, double stacked.

But many stakeholders such as the Port of Brisbane disagreed because the existing line was not sufficient, particularly if it had to share the line with a passenger network. ...

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Terminate at Toowoomba or Gladstone: The increasingly popular solution to stop Inland Rail cutting through southeast Queensland $

Dissected properties, coal dust through urban communities, vibration, excessive noise, flood concerns and all for a project that many Southeast Queensland residents and leaders believe won't add any value to their communities.

The Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project has sparked fierce controversy in the areas impacted by the Gowrie (Toowoomba) to Acacia Ridge (Brisbane) section, but alternative proposals that could stop the need for this section of rail have gained traction over time - including one involving Gladstone.

The results of a Senate Inquiry into the project are expected to be handed down on Wednesday, August 11.

Inland Rail aims to increase efficiency and reduce transport costs for freight heading between Melbourne and Brisbane, completing a 'missing link' in Australia's transport network.

According to the project's website, run by the Australian Rail Track Corporation, the aim of Inland Rail is to deliver more freight more reliably to the population as well as export markets.

But there are doubts as to whether this will be achieved between Toowoomba and Brisbane. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/abcnews/status/1425950867899908099

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Inland Rail fail: $14.5 billion mega project lacks Brisbane end point $

The multibillion-dollar Inland Rail project has been poorly managed and perplexingly lacks an end point in Brisbane, a Senate inquiry has found.

The scathing report by the Labor-led Senate committee also called for the business case justifying the construction of Australia's biggest rail freight project to be reviewed.

But a Queensland Coalition MP has warned any delay to the project could put the whole thing at risk.

Member for Groom Garth Hamilton said the existing route laid out by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) up to near his home base of Toowoomba.

"We have an opportunity to lay this egg now, if we delay we're putting this whole project at risk," he said.

"The conversation about getting it to Gladstone is a political question, the conversation about getting it to Toowoomba, is a real world situation. I'm just trying to get this damn thing built."

The Senate inquiry into the $14.5 billion Inland Rail project, helmed by Labor's Glenn Sterle, recommended an investigation into an extension of the line up to the Port of Gladstone.

The report also found the handling of the Queensland section had been "unacceptable" due to the lack of an end point in Brisbane, despite a decade of studies. ...

[ozbob]

Advertisement Couriermail 21st August 2021 page 7



^ "  be based in Brisbane "

[ozbob]

The Australian --> Barnaby Joyce 'misled us over rail line', say Condamine floodplain residents $

Barnaby Joyce faces accusations he misled community groups into thinking he was open to their concerns about a section of the $14.6bn Inland Rail line traversing the Condamine floodplain in southern Queensland just days before declaring the route was "settled".

Chair of Millmerran Rail Group, Wes Judd, who was in the online meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister last Friday, said Mr Joyce mishandled the meeting by creating the impression he would consider local objections to the 19km route.

Mr Joyce then issued a statement on Wednesday saying the Inland Rail alignment was "settled", that it had "been refined over a number of years" and that its delivery was "well underway". ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Rift between top Nationals ministers over inland rail threatens more unrest $

A split between the two most senior Nationals in federal cabinet is threatening to inflame tensions within the party over the federal government's multibillion-dollar Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail project.

Several Nationals MPs are accusing Agriculture Minister David Littleproud of breaching cabinet solidarity, undermining both the massive project and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce by privately agitating against the current route. ...

[SurfRail]

I'm starting to get more than a bit annoyed with the Gladstone push.  Really the whole point of this thing is inter-capital freight in the longer term, which is a need that won't go away.  Thermal coal from the West Moreton region (and who knows eventually even cotton) won't be around for the long term.  The marginal benefit of getting some bulk commodities with a doubtful economic future to a ship at Gladstone cheaper than to a ship at Fisherman Islands is not going to outweigh the benefit of getting trucks off the Newell Highway, and having a proper rail connection between Brisbane and Toowoomba.