Engineering, Environment and Sustainability, Freight Rail

Chester names Chair to guide Inland Rail through Queensland

Inland Rail

A reference group and chair have been established to help the Australian Rail Track Corporation finalise the alignment of Inland Rail through Queensland.

Federal infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester on November 30 named Bruce Wilson AM to the role of chair of the Yelarbon to Gowrie Project Reference Group.

The group will provide local community input on the review of alignment options for this section of the Melbourne to Brisbane inland line.

“Mr Wilson has held many senior leadership roles including director general of Queensland Transport, and has the required technical expertise to deliver a major infrastructure project such as Inland Rail,” Chester said.

“He has worked closely with many Queensland communities during his career and this experience will hold him in good stead as he talks with people about the Inland Rail project.”

The group will meet in early December to begin their consultation.

The Australian Logistics Council welcomed the announcement.

ALC managing director Michael Kilgariff said community and industry engagement was essential throughout the planning stages of the project.

“The group’s work will complement the community engagement activities already being undertaken by ARTC with landowners and affected communities as part of the work to determine a final alignment of the Inland Rail route through southern Queensland,” Kilgariff said.

“Inland Rail is critical to improving the efficient movement of freight in Australia, and so I welcome today’s announcement.”