STRIAGHT talking Goondiwindi Mayor Graeme Scheu says the federal government must explore the possibility of aligning Inland Rail track through the forestry around Inglewood in an effort to save the segregation of 41 landholdings in the region.
Cr Scheu said the federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester also needed to investigate how landholders in the Bringalilly area could be also be spared the same fate.
Cr Scheu explained his position to about 60 potentially affected landholders at a meeting in Inglewood on Tuesday night.
“It was all possible in NSW through the Pilliga, and I don’t see why any political party, state or federal, would not want to preserve prime agricultural land and investigate the forestry option fully,” Cr Scheu said. “It is simply common sense.’’
On a show of hands, about 90 percent of the large crowd were in favour of Cr Scheu’s proposal.
Last Thursday, the mayor informed staff in Mr Chester’s office the council’s thoughts on Inland Rail.
“Our council is extremely supportive of the nation building project,’’ Cr Scheu said.
“It will be a major benefit to producers on the South West Line, but it should not come at the expense of others when it can be avoided.”
Goondiwindi Regional Council main points of concern include:
– Feeder lines into the Inland rail: We believe the Inland Rail corridor presents an ideal opportunity for both levels of government, state and federal, to work together, and instead of a combination of narrow and standard gauge line, the opportunity is now real to upgrade the feeder line from the join up point some 14km east of Goondiwindi and upgrade the line all the way to Thallon. A standard gauge line would encourage competition on the corridor, something that is sadly missing, and with the vast tonnages on offer in the nearby NSW region, you will see many special trains operating into the Port of Brisbane. Sadly, there is an enormous amount of cross border freight heading south due to poor logistics on the Queensland side.
- The forestry option around Inglewood is imperative and should be explored immediately.
- Direct access into the Port of Brisbane is essential. It is pointless stopping this at Acacia Ridge.
- It was extremely pleasing for the first time in tonight’s presentation to see examples of elevated bridges and viaducts such as the Rockhampton and Kempsey overpasses. This has never been explained before. Obviously, this is the major concern for landholders over the Condamine plains, and it is equally, if not more significant in relation to the Border Rivers, where the proposed corridor will traverse the junction of three river systems. World’s best practice and a bridge over the whole floodplain is the only acceptable option. It is unfair to expect landholders to accept the project until designs are available. There is too much to lose.
- Obviously, when the Inland Rail is constructed, the Inglewood to Warwick line will become obsolete and with seven QR maintenance staff based at Inglewood, our Council is keen to ensure that ARTC maintain that presence in town. It may seem a small thing to some, but to lose seven jobs in a town of 800 will have a major bearing.
“If everyone works together on this project, there will be major benefits to all concerned,” Cr Scheu said.