Projects

Moura Link-Aldoga Rail

Status
EIS active

Queensland Rail Ltd (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 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 (EIS) process

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

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 to determine 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).

On 12 January 2008, the Coordinator-General invited comments on the draft terms of reference (TOR) for the EIS. Submissions on the draft TOR closed on 12 February 2008. Submissions on the draft TOR were considered and, where appropriate, were incorporated into the final terms of reference.

The Coordinator-General released the project EIS for public review and comment on 12 July 2008 with submissions accepted until 25 August 2008.

Following receipt and analysis of submissions, it was determined by DIP that a supplementary EIS (SEIS) would not be required for the project and that issues could be resolved satisfactorily by exchange of correspondence between advisory agencies/public submitters and the proponent.

Further to the EIS, QR undertook a supplementary Aldoga Bank Rail Options Study to investigate and compare the feasibility and impacts of alternative rail route alignment options from the North Coast Line through the Aldoga Bank area, near Yarwun.

Coordinator-Generals’ report

The Coordinator-General’s report evaluating the EIS for the Moura Link – Aldoga Rail Project was approved on 7 October 2009. In evaluating the environmental effects, the Coordinator-General considered the EIS, the Aldoga Bank Rail Options Study, environmental management plans prepared by the proponent, public submissions received on the EIS, advice provided by state and local government authorities and other relevant information.

The Coordinator-General determined that the project can proceed subject to specific recommendations and conditions as outlined in the report to manage potential adverse impacts.

The Coordinator-General’s evaluation report on the EIS (PDF icon 1.1 MB)

Resources

A copy of the EIS executive summary and EIS findings and commitments for the project is available for download:

A copy of the full EIS on the project is also available at Queensland Rail.

Further information

For more information regarding the project please visit Queensland Rail.

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.

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