By Sineva Toevai
Liberal National Party transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson has called for an urgent review of QR’s freight costs and price structure to ensure that jobs in the State were supported.
When businesses are forced to transport goods via road because they have been priced off existing rail services then it’s clear that something has gone wrong with the current leadership and pricing structure of our rail services, Simpson said.
These vital industries need to be supported by an effective Queensland Rail price structure.
Government-owned Queensland Rail was unable to immediately respond to Simpson’s comments, a spokesman said.
Because of rising freight prices, Mackay-based Marian Sugar Mill has been forced to shift 250,000 tonnes of raw sugar via road.
Meanwhile, Kagara Zinc is moving 100,000 tonnes of product by road following failed talks with QR over the Thalanga to Townsville rail line.
We can’t keep seeing long-term rail users being priced off existing rail infrastructure and it is clearly time for Queensland Rail to review their cost structure, Simpson said.
According to Simpson, the shift to road from rail would increase the strain on the State’s already congested and under-maintained road network.
Source: Lloyds List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au
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