Published Tuesday, 27 November, 2007 at 01:05 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
'Southern Missing Link' Another Step Closer: Bligh
CHINCHILLA: A study corridor has been identified for a billion-dollar railway project linking Surat’s vast coal reserves – via the Southern Missing Link - with Gladstone’s port facilities.
Premier Anna Bligh today announced that the Coordinator-General had declared the project ‘significant’.
“Linked to this, the Surat Basin Rail consortium has identified a preliminary corridor between Wandoan and Banana for this 210km crucial, but missing, rail infrastructure,” said Ms Bligh said while visiting the Darling Downs.
The Premier said that the Coordinator-General ‘significant’ declaration means he will coordinate a whole-of-government response on this key piece of railway line, so that the project can proceed.
“This project would be a massive economic driver locally, and for Queensland overall.
“The State Government is determined to see the Surat Basin Railway built so that the region can fulfil its export potential for coal and, potentially, other future mineral and agricultural products.
“’Significant’ project status means the consortium now has to conduct detailed environmental, social, economic and engineering investigations as part of the EIS process before the final route can be identified. “
The proposed rail corridor largely follows existing road reserves including the Leichhardt Highway, Nathan Road and Cracow-Theodore Road. It will join existing Queensland Rail lines between Wandoan and Toowoomba and Moura and Gladstone.
The corridor passes around Wandoan with options to the east or west of the town, and continues along Nathan Road towards Cracow before passing to the east of Theodore.
Surat Basin Rail is a consortium including the Australian Transport and Energy Corridor (ATEC), Industry Funds Management, Queensland Rail, Xstrata Coal and Anglo Coal.
Construction will require up to 600 workers over a 30-month timeframe.
“The Surat Basin Rail project typifies this government’s willingness to work with the private sector when necessary to get things moving,” Ms Bligh said.
“It will be open-access, so all businesses can use it, able to accommodate trains of up to 2.5km long and, most importantly, the State Government will retain ownership of the final corridor.
“The Southern Missing Link is designed to join up with the proposed Wiggins Island Coal terminal so that coal exports can be maximised.
“Another potential benefit could be additional passenger capacity on the Brisbane urban rail network as some of the coal transport task is switched to the Surat Basin Railway.”
It is expected the Coordinator-General will release draft Terms of Reference for public comment by March next year and that the EIS could be released by December 2008.
A decision to proceed with the project is not expected before 2009.
The Queensland Government awarded an unconditional mandate to the private consortium in July to investigate the economic feasibility of the Surat Basin Railway until 2010.
An Initial Advice Statement, prepared by Surat Basin Rail, is available at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au. The public will also have the opportunity to comment on the Environmental Impact Statement when it is released.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Premier Anna Bligh today announced that the Coordinator-General had declared the project ‘significant’.
“Linked to this, the Surat Basin Rail consortium has identified a preliminary corridor between Wandoan and Banana for this 210km crucial, but missing, rail infrastructure,” said Ms Bligh said while visiting the Darling Downs.
The Premier said that the Coordinator-General ‘significant’ declaration means he will coordinate a whole-of-government response on this key piece of railway line, so that the project can proceed.
“This project would be a massive economic driver locally, and for Queensland overall.
“The State Government is determined to see the Surat Basin Railway built so that the region can fulfil its export potential for coal and, potentially, other future mineral and agricultural products.
“’Significant’ project status means the consortium now has to conduct detailed environmental, social, economic and engineering investigations as part of the EIS process before the final route can be identified. “
The proposed rail corridor largely follows existing road reserves including the Leichhardt Highway, Nathan Road and Cracow-Theodore Road. It will join existing Queensland Rail lines between Wandoan and Toowoomba and Moura and Gladstone.
The corridor passes around Wandoan with options to the east or west of the town, and continues along Nathan Road towards Cracow before passing to the east of Theodore.
Surat Basin Rail is a consortium including the Australian Transport and Energy Corridor (ATEC), Industry Funds Management, Queensland Rail, Xstrata Coal and Anglo Coal.
Construction will require up to 600 workers over a 30-month timeframe.
“The Surat Basin Rail project typifies this government’s willingness to work with the private sector when necessary to get things moving,” Ms Bligh said.
“It will be open-access, so all businesses can use it, able to accommodate trains of up to 2.5km long and, most importantly, the State Government will retain ownership of the final corridor.
“The Southern Missing Link is designed to join up with the proposed Wiggins Island Coal terminal so that coal exports can be maximised.
“Another potential benefit could be additional passenger capacity on the Brisbane urban rail network as some of the coal transport task is switched to the Surat Basin Railway.”
It is expected the Coordinator-General will release draft Terms of Reference for public comment by March next year and that the EIS could be released by December 2008.
A decision to proceed with the project is not expected before 2009.
The Queensland Government awarded an unconditional mandate to the private consortium in July to investigate the economic feasibility of the Surat Basin Railway until 2010.
An Initial Advice Statement, prepared by Surat Basin Rail, is available at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au. The public will also have the opportunity to comment on the Environmental Impact Statement when it is released.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500