A LEADING Queensland legal firm says Inland Rail's controversial route across the Condamine River floodplain appears to be settled.
Creevey Russell Lawyers principal Dan Creevey said some media reports and statements from opponents of Inland Rail had created unnecessary confusion around the 216km Border to Gowrie section of the $15 billion Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail Project.
However, Mr Creevey said the route, which includes the 16km-wide floodplain section, appeared to be settled with the Australian Rail Track Corporation currently working with the Queensland Government through the Environmental Impact Statement process to gain the necessary state planning approvals.
"Our understanding is that the process of finalising an EIS, particularly in relation to a project of this size, usually involves a series of drafts.
"This is particularly pertinent where, as in the present case, the process proposed contemplates the appointment of a civil works proponent in parallel with the environmental planning approval process."
Farmers affected by the controversial Condamine River floodplain route say they are still to be convinced, saying the project not yet have received either the Queensland Government's approval nor fulfilled its obligations under the Commonwealth Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. They also say a final, critical report from the Flood Panel of Experts is still to be produced.
Moreover, they say their ongoing opposition to Inland Rail being routed across the Condamine River Floodplain is vindicated by a scathing Senate Committee report released in August.
ARTC announced on September 3 it had signed an agreement with BHQ joint venture comprising of Bielby Holdings, JF Hull Holdings and QH&M Birt, to enter into a collaborative framework agreement for the project's northern civil works program.
"ARTC advised that BHQ would initially be working with ARTC to review the reference design and develop construction plans in parallel with the environmental impact statement and methodologies ahead of the development of a fully costed proposal for the first of the work packages next year," Mr Creevey said.
"We understand that ARTC has adopted the strategy of dividing the route into segments which present a greater opportunity for Tier 2 construction companies to participate in the project. ARTC considers that the appointment of a civil works proponent in parallel with the environmental planning approval process, will allow local businesses to hit the ground running when formal approval is given."
The Federal Government announced in September it was also investigating the viability of the Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail line.
A $10 million study of the connection known as T2G, is set to be a significant focus during the 2022 Federal Election campaign, with both major parties targeting the seat of Flynn, which is currently held by the Liberal National Party.
The announcement of the T2G study followed ongoing fall-out within the National Party over the controversial Border to Gowrie section of the Inland Rail, which is proposed to cross the agriculturally important Condamine River floodplain.
Want daily news highlights delivered to your inbox? Sign up to the Queensland Country Life newsletter below.
