Hope over rail line talks

AN industry group pushing for improvement to the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line, including reform to freight terms and pricing, says it is encouraged by the State Government’s willingness to listen and continue the dialogue.

Development bodies including Townsville Enterprise, Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone, rail users and Mount Isa MP Robbie Katter met Treasurer Curtis Pitt and State Development Minister Anthony Lynham in Brisbane this week.

The group raised concerns about the need to restore the efficiency of the rail line, which has been a lifeline for a minerals province, supporting production of base metals worth $ 4 billion.

A lack of reinvestment in the line has led to inefficiencies in train speed, the movement of freight and a shift to road transport, placing more cost on fewer rail users.

There is also concern about plans to develop a new line into the Northern Territory from Mount Isa with the potential to divert trade to Darwin port.

Townsville policy director McMillan said the was productive. Enterprise Michael meeting

Further discussions were planned with Queensland Rail about regulatory and pricing arrangements, he said.

“The message was strongly delivered ... that there needs to be change,” Mr McMillan said.

Pierre Malan, general manager of the Dugald River zinc mine near Cloncurry, which will soon begin exports of concentrates from Townsville, said they were encouraged by the Government’s commit- ment to further explore how they could work together for mutual benefit.

A government spokesman said the ministers were pleased to listen to the group’s concerns.

“The group will now develop specific options for consideration and discussion at a further meeting to be arranged,” the spokesman said.

Townsville Port acting CEO Claudia Brumme- Smith said they were awaiting the release of the Mount Isa to Tennant Creek rail line study.

Ms Brumme- Smith said it would be interesting to compare the relative cost benefits of a significant upgrade of the Mount Isa to Townsville Line against a proposed new rail line to Tennant Creek, and the economic impacts of both options on the northern and northwest Queensland regional economies.