Rail Freight Corridor Secured, Channel Widening Immediate Priority for Townsville
02 May 2018
Queensland Government:
The Palaszczuk Government will move to ensure
the long-term future of
rail freight to the
Port of Townsville by protecting the
Townsville
Eastern Access Rail Corridor (TEARC).
Transport and Main
Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it was important for the economic
development of Townsville the TEARC route was protected for future
construction and that everything possible was done to bring the project
forward.
“Building
Queensland has recently completed a Detailed Business Case on the TEARC
project which is being publically released today,” Mr Bailey said.
“It found while freight line was strategically important to the future
development of the
port, current demand did not support construction of
the line at this time.
“We therefore call on the Turnbull Government to redirect funding from
the TEARC to other key projects Townsville needs now, consistent with
the Townsville City Deal.
“Such investment can help bring forward demand for TEARC and make it a
reality sooner.
“In particular, we again call on the Turnbull Government to match our
$75 million commitment to expanding the Port of Townsville.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Port of Townsville was one
of four priority ports in North Queensland and was vital to the movement
of the state’s imports and exports.
“The Channel Widening Project is a fundamental part of the economic
future of Townsville and North Queensland as well as the Townsville City
Deal,” he said.
"Put simply, it means jobs for North
Queensland.
“It’s by expanding capacity at the Port that we’ll be able to increase
efficiency, grow freight volumes and in turn support demand and future
need for the TEARC."
Mr Bailey called on the Turnbull Government to prioritise allocating
real funding to the Port.
“The Turnbull Government said it would fund the Port of Townsville’s
expansion through the NAIF, but that’s an insult to the people of
Townsville," he said.
"With just one project having received NAIF funding in the country so
far over three years and Senator Canavan recently admitting it has been
an abject failure, we call on the Turnbull Government to put the money
it has aside for TEARC directly into the Port where the most value lies
for jobs in Townsville.”
Mr Bailey said it was also important the preferred alignment was
preserved to ensure the corridor was available when required and urged
the Turnbull Government to contribute funding to support that happening.
“This will include acquiring land and gazetting the corridor, as well as
preparing an
Environmental Impact Assessment for the project,” he said.
“We also urge the Federal Government to join with us in committing
funding to construction of intermodal rail facilities at the port of
Townsville which would provide an immediate option for modal shift of
product transported in half-height containers from road to rail.”
Mr Bailey said increased commodity demand, any major new trades,
population growth in North Queensland, or changed land use could trigger
the future need for TEARC.
“Until then it is important we protect the corridor for future
construction," he said.
“That is a commitment government made at the last election and it is a
commitment we are honouring.”
The proposed TEARC route will travel from Cluden on the North Coast
Line, through the Townsville State Development Area for about 3.5
kilometres, before joining the existing Eastern Access Corridor and
running northward parallel to the Southern Port Road to the port. It is
a proposed 8.3 kilometre rail freight line which will connect the North
Coast line at Cluden directly to the port.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Media contact: Brock Taylor, 0427018178
External Links: http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/business-case/townsville-eastern-access-rail-corridor/
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