$60m rail works lift economy

AN upgrade to the Mount Isa rail line is improving the efficiency of the critical freight corridor as well as providing a boost to towns in northwest Queensland.

A Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone spokesman said $60 million was expected to be spent on the rail line in the current financial year, including $20 million for track renewal work currently under way near Richmond.

Queensland Rail is changing sleepers from steel to concrete and replacing ballast, cutting speed restrictions and reducing the risk of track buckling in hot weather.

Richmond Shire Mayor Cr John Wharton said that the council supported the project by ensuring the essential works were able to occur with about 50 Queensland Rail staff staying in accommodation in Richmond each week.

“Richmond now has over 130 ensuite rooms and at present we need every one of them with an ongoing

Queensland Rail works program that is expected to go out to September and (occur) again next year,” Cr Wharton said.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the work was an investment in jobs and the region’s industries.

“We repaired the line in record time last year, have provided $80 million to reduce rail charges and incentivise freight exports, and we’re rolling out millions of dollars to improve the line, making the freight journey faster and more reliable.”

Bridges and track were replaced along a 300km section of the track last year after the damage caused by North Queensland floods.

Queensland Rail general manager, supply chain north, Wayne Prosser said as part of ongoing maintenance work the firm would close the network for 35 hours from July 14 to perform a full track re-lay of the Mundic Creek Bridge east of Pentland.

Train services have been rescheduled to keep freight disruption to a minimum.