Central Queensland Inland Port’s first stage of construction which includes the new 1.5km rail spur line has been completed, with the project now ready for the next steps of operation.
Privately and government funded, CQ Inland Port is a purpose-built major industrial enterprise project which comprises a shovel-ready intermodal (container park) facility and special industrial park at Yamala, 25km east of Emerald in Central Queensland. GrainCorp has already acquired a 47ha site in the development with plans to construct $18.5m state-of-the-art grain handling facility to maximise the efficiency of grain exports from the Emerald region.
Stage 2 which comprises the delivery of a staged intermodal terminal has received $1.9 million funding from the Federal Government and is proceeding to construction.
Rawdon Briggs of Colliers International who is the lead agent on the project said: “We continue to target a range of operators to relocate into the precinct with the project specifically designed and supportive of agricultural exports, freight and logistics, meat processing, mining services, general industrial, warehousing and manufacturing uses.
“With enabling infrastructure now complete, industrial lots are now available for purchase that provide lots at scale, support several uses and have the co-location benefits of being within the region’s most significant industrial hub.
“Even though the agribusiness market is finding it tough in most parts of the country due to drought, the region still produced a reasonable winter crop in some locations and the re-emerging resources sector shows the diversity and resilience of this region. The commodity prices are buoyant and there has been an uptick in outputs in several surrounding locations.
“The gross regional product for the region was recorded at $5.956 billion in 2018, the highest it has been in 5 years, so there is a lot of growth potential for operators coming into the precinct,” Mr Briggs said.
Colliers International’s Director of Strategic Advisory, David Skerrett added: “Despite the drought conditions across most of Australia, there is still significant investment being put into regional infrastructure that delivers efficiencies for regional markets and enhances supply chains. Building infrastructure during challenging cycles often allows regional economies to recover quicker and capitalise on their investment during improved cycles.
He added: “The infrastructure that has been delivered at the CQ Inland Port provides an ability to move bulk and containerised goods and commodities off roads and provide direct connectivity to ports, allowing goods and commodities in Central Queensland to become more competitive both within the national and international markets.”
The CQ Inland Port project comprises intermodal and container terminal, 56 lot special industrial park providing for 24/7 operations for major industrial activities, and the new 1.5km rail spur line. Other works also include significant upgrades to the local road network (Bonniedoon Road) and a new industrial road which will unlock much needed special industrial lots within the development.