Federal infrastructure minister Michael McCormack has praised the ARTC’s progress on Inland Rail, welcoming the establishment of the fifth community consultative committee for the Queensland portion of the massive rail program.
The ARTC recently set up the community consultative committee (CCC) for the section of Inland Rail from Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton.
One of the 13 projects that comprise Inland Rail, the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton project will upgrade around 49 kilometres of existing track to enable double-stacking capability.
It uses the existing Sydney to Brisbane Rail Corridor alignment.
Double stacking will be made possible on the interstate route both from Kagaru to Bromelton, and north from Kagaru to Acacia Ridge, the major intermodal terminal south of the Port of Brisbane.
The Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton CCC is the fifth such committee established in Queensland, meaning all five sections of Inland Rail in the Sunshine State are now covered.
Michael McCormack, who is championing the Inland Rail project in his role as the leader of the Nationals and federal minister for infrastructure, said CCCs gave local residents and businesses an important opportunity to contribute.
“The Liberal and Nationals’ Government understands strong working relationships between ARTC, local communities, stakeholder groups and councils are critical to the success of this project,” McCormack said on Tuesday.
“CCCs help ensure community issues are brought to the fore and addressed during the planning and design of each Inland Rail section.”
Finance minister Mathias Cormann said the progress was encouraging, given the Government is investing more than $9 billion to make Inland Rail happen.
“With Australia’s freight task set to almost double over the next 20 years, this is a critically important investment into Australia’s freight infrastructure for the future, with every dollar the Government invests forecast to return $2.62 to the Australian economy,” Cormann said.
Local member for Wright, Scott Buchholz, encouraged community members to take part.
“This gives the people of Beaudesert, Jimboomba and the wider region the opportunity to have close consultation on the Inland Rail. I know this has been really important in sharing the feedback of the community in other parts of the region, including through the Lockyer Valley,” Buchholz said.
“Inland Rail is vital—it will bring jobs and opportunity to the region, but as a local member I remain committed to working with the ARTC to ensure the local community is listened to.”
The ARTC began seeking nominations for the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton CCC on July 28, and nominations are open until 5pm on August 31.