Have a say on rail plan
THE Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor’s design will be open to community consultation next week, five years since the preliminary feasibility study was conducted.
The new rail line was identified as priority infrastructure in a bid to meet growing demand on the Mount Isa rail system, reduce bottlenecks and improve urban amenity.
The Federal Government has committed half the funding needed for the $ 300 million project, with a detailed business case to investigate other potential funding avenues.
Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke inspected the potential TEARC site yesterday with GHD, which undertook the feasibility study with BDO in 2012.
Ms O’Rourke said Townsville business owners deserved more opportunities to grow.
“While our current rail line has served our community well, we have now reached a point where local businesses and suppliers are missing opportunities to move freight because of limitations,” she said.
“We know TEARC is a massive project for our region, with a proposed freight line to connect the existing rail line from Mt Isa into the Port of Townsville, opening up more opportunities for local businesses and suppliers.”
The proposed corridor would branch off from the North Coast Line at Cluden, south of Townsville, running parallel to the Port Access Road to the Port of Townsville.
Ms O’Rourke said it would be part of Townsville for generations. “That’s why the Palaszczuk Government has committed to progressing the detailed business case for TEARC, in partnership with ( Townsville City) Council and the Commonwealth, through the City Deal,” she said. “I encourage locals to come along to one of the information sessions and have your say on our city’s future.
“Townsville needs longterm infrastructure solutions to support local jobs and keep up with demand in our region.”
A GHD spokesman said the business case being prepared by Building Queensland with the Department of Transport and Main Roads was expected to be completed late this year.
Information sessions will be held on June 28 at Willows Shopping Centre from 9amnoon and Castletown Shopping Centre from 1- 5pm.
Sessions will also be held on June 29 from 10am- 2pm at Fairfield Central Shopping Centre and 4- 7pm at Stockland Shopping Centre.