Farmers ‘fatal issues and flaws’ with Inland Rail Project

Farmers and locals from districts in the Darling Downs have travelled to Brisbane to protest a rail project connecting Melbourne to Brisbane, which they say will intensity flooding.

FARMERS from the Darling Downs took to the streets of Brisbane today to protest the $10 billion rail project from Melbourne to Brisbane, that they say will devastate their community if it is built on a notorious flood plain.

More than 200 residents from the Darling Downs made the three hour trip to Brisbane on Tuesday, demanding the government listen to their concerns about the Inland Rail Project being constructed over the Condamine flood plain.

Farmers and rural residents from the Darling Downs region protest outside the Commonwealth offices in Brisbane, Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

The protest was organised by the Millmerran Rail Group – a local advocacy group – who oppose the proposed rail location.

Chairman Wes Judd told The Courier-Mail residents “core concern” was the risk of the inland rail intensifying flooding in the area.

“We know there are fatal issues and flaws with the assessments which have been done and they need to be corrected,” Mr Judd said.

“We want to make sure both sides in the parliament know and understand the thoughts and the wish of these people.”

The protest was organised by the Millmerran Rail Group – a local advocacy group – who oppose the proposed rail location. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Mr Judd said the district is upset and anxious the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) have not listened to local concerns.

“All of the work that’s been done to date on the flooding issue, which is our core concern, doesn’t allay the fears in relation to risk to life and property,” he said.

The proposed route requires parts of the rail to be built on a levy bank with about 500 culverts to let flood water pass.

Farmers are concerned these culverts will be blocked by debris, resulting in water building up and completely submerging large areas of the Condamine flood plain.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese: “You don’t build railway lines where they’re going to get flooded out and where the lines are going to be cut.” Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said he would fight with them to change the rail’s proposed route.

“At the moment it simply is going through the wrong route,” he said.

“You don’t build railway lines where they’re going to get flooded out and where the lines are going to be cut.”

More than 200 residents from the Darling Downs made the three hour trip to Brisbane on Tuesday. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Mr Judd said today’s turnout in context of the recent rain highlights just how much locals care about voicing their concerns over the inland rail plan.

“We’ve had rain after the drought and everybody is flat out with their farming and getting their crop rotation running and to have them leave their farms and their properties at the moment, as busy as they are, is a reflection of how concerned they are that this has got to be done properly,” he said.