FALLOUT from an emergency meeting aimed at getting the $10 billion inland rail project back on track continues, with federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, saying the government-owned organisation charged with building the major infrastructure project “got it wrong”.
Mr Littleproud said yesterday’s meeting in Warwick involving the Australian Rail Track Corporation and state and federals MPs was organised to discuss both ARTC’s failings to conduct an open and transparent consultation process and its failure to fully consider other viable route options within Queensland.
However, Mr Littleproud said following yesterday’s meeting ARTC chief executive officer John Fullerton incorrectly stated that the outcome of the meeting resulted in a commitment from ARTC that it would assess only two route options, namely the Karara-Leyburn deviation and the current Charlton route.
“ARTC got it wrong,” Mr Littleproud said.
“They came here yesterday in an attempt to provide confidence to us in the process and I am extremely disappointed that Mr Fullerton failed to confirm the clear direction of yesterday’s meeting that ARTC will assess all three options, including a Warwick deviation.”
CLICK HERE to read about yesterday’s emergency inland rail meeting in Warwick.
Following ARTC’s embarrassing error, Mr Littleproud said he spoke with Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester to ensure an undertaking was given to Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Tracy Dobie that all three route options – including a Warwick option – would be considered.
Mr Littleproud said he he would monitor the review process to ensure that all options were thoroughly considered and that the community was able to gain confidence in ARTC’s management of the 1700km nation-building infrastructure project.
“I am extremely disappointed in ARTC and I will be closely watching this review process and have requested that ARTC brief me regularly,” Mr Littleproud said.
Mr Littleproud said he had written to ARTC to re-affirm the outcome of the Warwick meeting that three route options will be considered and assessed and that all material associated with the review will be made publically available.
Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Tracy Dobie said it was pleasing to see that both the state and federal governments were committed to getting the right outcome for the major infrastructure project.
“Inland rail will have a significant impact on the way freight is moved between key centres in three states and the time must be taken to ensure the route that is chosen not only satisfies the specifications but also takes into account future regional development," Cr Dobie said.
According to the inland rail website, the 1700km freight rail line will complete the spine of the national freight rail network, providing a road competitive service that will see freight delivered from Melbourne to Brisbane, via regional Victoria, NSW and Queensland, in less than 24 hours with reliability, pricing and availability that is equal to or better than road.
The Turnbull Government allocated an additional $594 million to “get inland rail on track” in the federal budget.
