Engineering, Freight Rail

Yelarbon to Gowrie alignment closer

Inland Rail’s alignment from Yelarbon to Gowrie is closer to being finalised, with the Inglewood through Millmerran option tabbed as the least expensive by the section’s reference group.

Federal transport and infrastructure minister Darren Chester on March 31 said he had met with the Yelarbon to Gowrie Project Reference Group chair Bruce Wilson, for an update on the analysis and costings process for the rail alignment.

The results of the analysis so far have found the four alignment options to be “close,” but “costings have revealed some clear differences,” according to a statement from Chester’s office.

Chester said the analysis had found the Inglewood through Millmerran option to be the least expensive, followed by the Wellcamp/Charllton option, the Karara/Leyburn option, and then the Warwick option.

The alignment selection is still not made, however, with upcoming community consultation set to play “a critical role,” the minister said.

“The process in determining the best alignment in this section is important and will be a balance between community, economic, and environmental considerations,” he said.

“I can assure all communities which could potentially be affected by this critical infrastructure project that the Australian Government and Australian Rail Track Coporation will continue to engage with them as we move into the next stage.”

Bruce Wilson said the technical consultants were also continuing their work, and would provide further detail to the reference group in their next meeting.

“I will be providing the minister with the report on the transparency of the review process and an update on the continued community engagement,” Wilson said.

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