Landholders’ concerns must be considered before build begins

COMPENSATION for any landholders and the impact on the Condamine flood plain need to be addressed with priority, according to to AgForce.

The agricultural industry group’s grains president Wayne Newton said assurances were needed that any infrastructure crossing the Condamine flood plain - which the preferred rail corridor does north of Millmerran - would not adversely impact landholders.

“Any impact on water moving naturally across the flood plain is a major concern as water is very hard to predict,” Mr Newton said.

“This infrastructure must not only be able to stand up to floods like (the one at the end of ) 2010, but also not cause a raft of unintended consequences.

“When farmers have their blocks dissected, how will they get large farming machinery from one side to the other?

“Will they have to drive 10km to safely cross the track?

“How will local landholders be compensated not just for the loss of the land, but also the overall negative impacts on their businesses?

“There are so many unanswered questions that landholders need answers to before work starts on this major project.”

Australian Rail Track Corporation is expected to announce times and dates for its consultation sessions within days.