Queensland steps towards Gladstone-Melbourne link

<p>The Queensland Government is moving closer to constructing at least part of the proposed Melbourne-Gladstone rail line, ahead of the findings of a federal study into the concept.</p> <p>A House of Representatives committee is looking at regional links to Australia’s ports, with a freight-specific rail line between Melbourne and the port of Gladstone being considered.</p> <p>That study is not due for completion for another two months, but the member for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine, said the state government was considering a link between Wandoan and Theodore, southwest of Gladstone. </p> <p>The towns are 151 km apart by road.</p> <p>Construction of the $200m section was originally due to begin in 2005 and to be completed this year. </p> <p>The line would give the Darling Downs and Maranoa areas access to the port of Gladstone instead of being limited to using the port of Brisbane. </p> <p>A private company has proposed incorporating the line into any future inland line to Melbourne.</p> <p>Mr Shine told the ABC that he had asked the Queensland Government to use money from the part sale of the state’s monopoly power suppliers, Ergon and Energex, to pay for the line.</p> <p>The state government is expected to sell the two energy giants for about $1bn. </p> <br />