Pacific National boss and chair of Australia’s Freight on Rail Group (FORG) Dean Dalla Valle has praised the commitment by the Queensland Government to move more freight by rail by reducing access charges on the Mt Isa Line.
Dalla Valle said the state’s $80 million investment over the next four years would help drive a modal shift on the Mt Isa to Townsville corridor, and make rail more cost competitive.
“Queensland’s regional freight network is the backbone of the state’s economy and reducing access charges on the Mt Isa to Townsville line will fast track more freight on rail, drive modal shift and support exploration in the North-West minerals province,” he said.
Dalla Valle, who spent forty years at miner BHP Billiton, noted mining and minerals processing outputs were better suited to transportation by rail, as it can handle large volumes more efficiently, while also offering safety and environmental benefits.
“Australians want to see real trains, not road trucks hauling bulk freight over long distances, to make roads safer for everyone and reduce emissions,” he said.
“Industry looks forward to working with the Queensland Government on the implementation arrangements to make rail more cost competitive and ensure more freight from the North-West region is moved using real trains rather than road trains.”