The Australian Logistics Council has welcomed the announcement of a special Reference Group led by Bruce Wilson AM to work with the Australian Rail Track Corporation to engage with the community and industry on the next phase of the Inland Rail Project.
“Inland rail is critical to improving the efficient movement of freight in Australia, and so I welcome today’s announcement of the Project Reference Group to help deliver the next stage of this nationally significant infrastructure project,” said Michael Kilgariff, ALC Managing Director.
“Community and industry engagement throughout the planning stages of the project is fundamental to ensuring stakeholders fully understand the benefits of Inland Rail and how it may impact them in the future.
“The Group’s work will complement the community engagement activities already being undertaken by ARTC with landowners and affected communities as part of the work to determine a final alignment of the inland rail route through southern Queensland.
“With an NTC report showing Australia’s domestic freight task is expected to grow 26 percent by 2026, it is important that we keep this important freight project on track by working with all stakeholders along the corridor – the Project Reference Group will help achieve this.
“As a former Director General of Queensland Transport, Bruce Wilson has a strong appreciation of the local issues that need to be addressed to take this important project forward.
“This 1700km link between Brisbane and Melbourne will transform the way we move freight around the country, and in effect will complete the spine of the national freight rail network.
“To maximise its effectiveness, the inland rail route must have end to end connectivity and include efficient linkages to key freight hubs and intermodal terminals, such as InterLinkSQ – a master-planned logistics, warehousing and industrial estate located 13kms west of Toowoomba.
“ALC looks forward to engaging with the Yelarbon to Gowrie Project Reference Group and ARTC to progress the planning and construction of Australia’s largest rail
