QR National welcomes Galilee decision by Queensland Government
QR National welcomes the Queensland Government’s declaration today of the Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project (CQIRP) as a “significant project” by the Queensland Co-ordinator General.
The proposed multi-user railway would service the emerging needs of the Galilee coal basin by providing access to the ports of Central Queensland.
QR National will now progress community and stakeholder consultation as part of the environmental impact statement.
“This is a proposal that will optimise existing rail infrastructure and minimise construction of greenfield railway with its inherent cost and community impacts,” said Ken Lewsey, Executive Vice President Strategy & Business Development, QR National.
“By consolidating tonnages and working with several companies, QR National can deliver a commercially viable and operationally efficient rail infrastructure solution.
“Today’s decision takes our proposal to the next stage where we can actively engage in discussions with the community as well as key stakeholders in the coal supply chain.”
As well as servicing major coal deposits in the Galilee Basin, the project could also cater for coal mine expansions in the existing Bowen Basin.
This proposal is in addition to Bowen Basin expansions already under consideration or in progress, including the Wiggins Island Rail Project and the Hay Point Expansion.
QR National is in on-going discussions with a range of companies planning to export coal from both the Galilee Basin and the Bowen Basins.
The Central Queensland Integrated Rail Project is subject to completion of the environmental impact assessment and economic feasibility studies.
QR National is Australia's largest rail freight company with services operating across five states. In 2010/11, QR National transported more than 240 million tonnes of freight, including coal, iron ore, other minerals, agricultural products and general freight. It also operates and manages the 2300 kilometre Central Queensland coal network that links mines to coal ports at Bowen, Mackay and Gladstone.