Hub boss hits out at option
THE head of the region’s emerging intermodal rail hub hit out the Federal Government’s preferred alignment, criticising why the cheapest route wasn’t chosen.
InterLinkSQ CEO Michelle Reynolds said the alignment would not increase freight volumes and flew “in the face of long term land-use planning for the Charlton Wellcamp Enterprise Area”.
“I feel for the people whose properties are affected by this alignment and who have had only a matter of weeks or months notice,” she said.
“I could understand if there was a good operational or commercial reason behind the decision, but I am at a loss as to the basis of the current decision.”
Ms Reynolds was one of a small group of impacted stakeholders who met with Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester after a media conference yesterday.
She said while Mr Chester acknowledged the concerns put forward by InterLinkSQ, more work needed to be done with regards to boosting the region’s industry which could benefit from the Inland Rail project.
“The decision has been made and now we, as the freight, and in particular rail freight industry, have
a massive responsibility to ensure that we get every single dollar of value out of the investment that the government is making in Inland Rail,” she said.
“Too many Queenslanders have the perception that Inland Rail is the sole solution to our rail freight woes.
“For Queensland, Inland Rail provides us with a standard-gauge connection to the rest of Australia - something already enjoyed by every other state on the mainland.
“In our region, we already have some of the world’s finest, most innovative and productive agricultural producers.”
Ms Reynolds said more discussion was needed on how the tri-state project would bring tangible benefits to Toowoomba and the wider Darling Downs.
“Our current transport networks are at or nearing capacity,” she said.
“This is of particular concern for shippers of chickpeas who are, for the third year running, facing a transport crisis in order to get their product to port and through to Indian and Pakistani markets within a tight shipping window.’’
InterLinkSQ covers 200 hectares, and work began on the hub this year.
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In our region, we already have some of the world’s finest, most innovative and productive agricultural producers.
— InterLinkSQ CEO
Michelle Reynolds