Article: Farmers to meet minister John Mickel to discuss transport worries

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Farmers to meet minister John Mickel to discuss transport worries

Farmers to meet minister John Mickel to discuss transport worries
Article from: AAP

November 06, 2008 07:40am

QUEENSLAND farmers will meet with the state's transport minister to discuss concerns over Queensland Rail's commitment to transporting goods.
AgForce representatives will meet the minister, John Mickel, this morning seeking reassurances after rumours that QR will stop transporting cattle and grain to focus on the more lucrative coal market.

QR says it is reviewing livestock transport.

"We have been working with the livestock industry to improve long-term sustainability and performance of the business, so it meets the needs of producers and processors as well as making it more commercially viable for us and our customers," a QR statement said.

The state opposition has seized on the issue, claiming that QR plans to cease all transport of cattle, pushing more large trucks onto Queensland's roads.

"This will put thousands of extra B-double cattle trucks on our already heavily laden roads," opposition agriculture spokesman Ray Hopper said.

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) calls on the Queensland Government and QR to increase the transport of livestock, grain and general freight on the entire network. 

The proper integration of rail and road is necessary for a sustainable transport future for all Queenslanders.

We support Queensland's farmers!

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
06/11/2008

Minister Mickel Assures Livestock Transport

Transport Minister John Mickel met this morning with AgForce and senior QR management to reaffirm QR's commitment to the agricultural industry.

Mr Mickel was pleased with the outcome of the meeting that saw QR undertake to continue to maintain the current service levels whilst consultation on livestock transport options continues.

"QR have given us the assurance that they are committed to continuing to consult with the industry, including AgForce, communities and Government about any changes planned," said Mr Mickel after the meeting.

"I have instructed QR to commit to providing the same level of service that is currently in place whilst the comprehensive consultation continues.

"QR has made a deliberate decision to wait until the recent end of the livestock season before making changes to the business in order to limit the impact on the industry.

"These changes are necessary to allow QR to work towards creating a more sustainable platform for the Queensland livestock business and services."

It is expected that a resolution will be in place for the start of the next livestock season in March 2009.

Stephen Cantwell, Group Executive General Manager QR Freight said that it was always QR's intention to work with the industry to deliver an outcome that everyone was comfortable with.

"QR is working with the livestock industry and the Government to improve livestock transport services in Queensland," said Mr Cantwell after the meeting.

"QR has a long track record of service to regional Queensland, understands the challenges facing these areas and is not about to walk away from the bush."

-Ends-

6 November 2008

[mufreight]

Obviously there has been for some time a move to remove all services other than coal and intermodial traffic off rail and on to road in the name of operating efficiency, they have lost sight of the fact that they are supposedly there to meet the needs of the community and provide appropriate levels of service.