Premier Statement: BLIGH: EASTERN RAIL READY TO ROLL

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
16/01/2012

BLIGH: EASTERN RAIL READY TO ROLL

TOWNSVILLE: A proposed major upgrade to Townsville's rail freight system can be built, will be profitable and will deliver far reaching benefits to the North.

Premier Anna Bligh, Main Roads Minister and Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace today released findings of a preliminary evaluation study into the proposed Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor (TEARC) project - delivering on a Townsville Futures Plan commitment.

"As part of our long term vision for the North's economic future, we commissioned this study to determine if a rail line connecting the Port of Townsville with the North Coast and Mt Isa lines was feasible.

"That study is complete, we know this project is economically viable and the Queensland Government is ready to work with industry to make it happen.

"The current rail network feeding into the Port of Townsville will experience significant growth in coming years and we need to have additional infrastructure in place to cater for that.

"This is one of the most significant supply chain routes in Australia, and we can't allow it to become a bottleneck.

"TEARC not only delivers the increased capacity to meet demand, but also:

    allows longer trains to access the port, delivering greater efficiencies in operating costs.
    Means a safer route, bypassing 10 level crossings; and
    Improves traffic flow in the city centre by reducing freight trains that use the current line.

"Industry would receive huge financial gains from TEARC if it was to be built and that's a win for our minerals industry and most importantly, a big win for the economies that depend on it," she said.

Ms Bligh said the next step was seeking interest from the private sector.

"Over the next three months, the Queensland Government will seek expressions of interest from private sector operators who wish to build and operate the new rail link.

"We have already had a proponent express interest in funding and constructing this new piece of infrastructure. It will be a big win for Townsville and our State," she said.

Mr Wallace said the project would help cement the city's position as northern Australia's fastest growing economic region.

"The resource sector is booming in this state and I'm very keen to see industry putting some of their profits back into infrastructure like this, which they stand to benefit most from," he said.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said a huge drawcard for industry was the better access to port TEARC would provide.

"There are several major mining projects potentially starting in north-west Queensland, and Townsville's rail capacity needs to expand to meet that growing demand," she said.

"Train lengths are currently limited to 1000m on the Mt Isa line and just 650m on the North Coast line.

"TEARC would allow massive 1.4km-long trains to run straight into the port, providing substantial savings in train operating costs and passing loops.

"It would also create capacity for the growing tonnage demand on the Mt Isa rail system, a critical link between the mines in the North West Queensland Minerals Province and the Port of Townsville.

Member for Townsville Mandy Johnstone said: "To see the TEARC come to fruition will mean that Townsville and North Qld businesses can take full advantage of the State Development Area at Stuart and increase versatility of the Port of Townsville.

"I'm sure locals will also enjoy the increased safety and relief it will bring to traffic along one of the busiest arterial roads into our city centre.

"I welcome this study and the next step in bringing this project to reality."

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said: "This project means the world to Mount Isa. It will allow for more growth in the North West Minerals Province and a quicker and more efficient way of getting it to port - that can only mean good news for our local economy," she said.

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[Fares_Fair]

This is good news for the north.


Quotes from above:

"Train lengths are currently limited to 1000m on the Mt Isa line and just 650m on the North Coast line.

Yes, and that shortest passing loop in the 1669 km between Brisbane and Cairns, is located at Palmwoods.


"This is one of the most significant supply chain routes in Australia, and we can't allow it to become a bottleneck.

Unless it is on the Sunshine Coast, where freight bottlenecks rule.


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

Townsville = Labor-held electorates
Sunshine Coast = LNP and Independent electorates

Bugger the logic of freight efficiencies when the important thing is to bolster your electorate support in circumstances where one seat can be the difference between government and the eternal fires of hell in Opposition.

Standby for the inevitable Premier's visit to Townsville during the election campaign for the photo opportunity -- either the Premier and the mayor standing either side of a roll of plans, surveying the site for the new track, or the same couple with silver shovels turning the first sod.

[Fares_Fair]

My response can be found here (where snapshot picture can be placed)
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.msg83585#new
Reply #62 on: Today at 02:51:01 PM in the link above.

In summary, QR were concerned with food shortage to the north (or negative media actually) when the Beerburrum to Caboolture rail was commissioned at Easter 2009.
A locomotive was stationed at Petrie should the need eventuate to assist Freight trains, but hey it's a bottleneck !!


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Resource rail line earmarked for upgrade