QR backs thrust of north-south corridor study

<p>Queensland Rail put the emphasis on Federal Government investment in rail infrastructure when welcoming yesterday (Thursday, September 21) the Ernst and Young north-south corridor feasibility study.</p> <p>QR chief executive Bob Scheuber said the study had, for the first time, presented a comprehensive view of future demand for rail services on the corridor and an assessment of rail’s capacity to meet that demand. </p> <p>The report had highlighted the need for a direct inland railway link between Melbourne and Brisbane to handle the growing east coast freight task as the road network approached capacity. </p> <p>&#8224&#8220As recognised in the study, both rail and road have key roles to play in managing the task on this critical corridor,&#8221 Mr Scheuber said. </p> <p>&#8224&#8220There is little doubt that the road network will not be able to cope with all of the future freight growth in this region, and that an enhanced rail option will be needed as part of a comprehensive service to customers.&#8221</p> <p>&#8224&#8220High-speed, double-stacked trains running direct in this growth corridor will give customers a real transport choice, and help to relieve the congestion on our major highways.&#8221</p> <p>&#8224"This will be a massive and long overdue investment in Australia’s transport infrastructure &#8211 a genuine nation building project. </p> <p>&#8220Major national transport players like QR are keen to see this happen. </p> <p>&#8220I look forward to a major funding commitment by the Federal Government that can be supported by industry to make the proposal a reality."</p> <p>Ernst and Young forecast a doubling in the freight load between Melbourne and Brisbane by 2025.</p> <p>The existing coast route, being upgraded at a cost of $2.4bn, would reach its capacity by 2019, which meant the new line would have to be operating by that date.</p> <p>Four possible paths for the line have been identified in the far western corridor, running through Albury, Ju7nee, Parkes, Narromine, Coonamble, Burren Junction, Moree, Goondiwindi and Toowoomba.</p> <p>The best-case cost of $3.1bn &#8211 including s$2bn to cross the Toowoomba ranges &#8211 would give a 21-hour transit time between Melbourne and Brisbane.</p> <p>Local councils along the route have begun lobbying for the line to run through their towns to enjoy the multiplier boost to their economies.</p> <p>Federal transport minister Warren Truss and National Party leader Mark Vaille will attend a conference at Parkes on Monday to meet local government representatives from three states for talks on the inland rail project.</p> <p>Organisers said the meeting would focus on getting the inland link built, not on nominating the route.</p> <p>&#8224</p> <br />