Projects

Moura Link-Aldoga Rail

Status
EIS active

Queensland Rail (QR) is proposing a major expansion of its rail network in the less populated areas north of greater Gladstone. These works will be developed in parallel to and service a number of facilities, including the proposed new Wiggins Island Coal Terminal located in the Port of Gladstone.

    Key elements of the project are:
  • a rolling stock maintenance yard and provisioning facilities at Aldoga in the Gladstone State Development Area
  • a new rail line to carry Moura/Surat traffic via the Moura Short Line in the south to the existing North Coast Line southeast of Mount Larcom
  • quadruplication of the North Coast Line from the new yard to just east of Yarwun township.

The environmental impact statement (EIS) prepared for the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal originally included the above rolling stock maintenance yard and provisioning facilities, but at a location closer to the proposed coal terminal. This however would have meant a significant increase in rail traffic on the Moura Short Line through rural and residential areas close to Gladstone. In response to feedback received during the consultation phase for the EIS of the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal QR has decided to proceed with this revised concept for rail works.

The capital value of the project is estimated to be $500 million and it is expected to create approximately 350 jobs during the two year construction program. Approximately 550 permanent operational jobs will be created at ultimate development.

Environmental Impact Statement process

On 26 September 2007 the Coordinator-General declared the Moura Link–Aldoga Rail project to be a ‘significant project’ for which an EIS is required in accordance with Part 4 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld)(SDPWOA).

The project was referred to the Australian Government for a determination as to whether or not it constitutes a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. On 7 December 2007 it was determined that the project was not a controlled action (Ref No: 2007/3773).

The EIS process is coordinated by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning on behalf of the Coordinator-General.

Terms of Reference for the EIS

The draft terms of reference have been advertised for public comment. All submissions were considered for inclusion in the final terms of reference.

A copy of the final terms of reference for the project is available for download:

Have your say

The Coordinator-General is now inviting comments on the EIS for the Moura Link-Alodga Rail Project.

Submissions should be received by 5 pm Monday, 25 August 2008 and addressed to:

The Coordinator-General
c/- EIS Project Manager—Moura Link–Aldoga Rail Project
Significant Projects Coordination
Department of Infrastructure and Planning
PO Box 15009 City East Qld 4002
fax +61 7 3225 8282
mlar@dip.qld.gov.au

Submissions must state the grounds of the submission, be signed and include your name and address. Submissions will be treated as public documents (unless confidentiality is specifically requested), and copies will be forwarded to Queensland Rail.

Availability of the environmental impact statement

The EIS is available for public review from Monday 14 July 2008 to 5 pm Monday 25 August 2008.

    The EIS report can be viewed
  • during business hours at the Gladstone Regional Council libraries at Gladstone and Calliope and at the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane.
  • online via Queensland Rail
  • For a CD or hardcopy of the EIS, call (07) 3135 8231 or visit the Connell Hatch Office on Level 1/433 Boundary Street, Spring Hill or at 141 Goondoon St, Gladstone.
  • A copy of the EIS Executive Summary, and Findings and Commitments for the project is available for download:

For project technical enquiries contact Connell Hatch on (07) 3135 8141 or email mlarp@connellhatch.com

Resources

Further information

For more information regarding the project please visit the Queensland Rail website.

For further information regarding the EIS process for the project, contact the Infrastructure and Economic Development Group and address your enquiry to the Moura-Aldoga Rail Link Project.