Missing Link: Brisbane needs rail tunnels to unlock potential

Building the missing link between the Port of Brisbane and Inland Rail is vital for unlocking Brisbane and Queensland’s potential, backers say.

Building the missing link between the Port of Brisbane and the Inland Rail mega project is an essential part of the blueprint for unlocking Brisbane and Queensland’s potential, an influential group of business powerbrokers say.

The Committee for Brisbane has backed The Sunday Mail’s Missing Link campaign, saying getting a dedicated freight rail link to the port is the top of their list of what needs to be done.

The link would create a $5.4 billion boost for economy as well as take 2.4 million trucks a year off the road, and 1200 new jobs annually, the committee says.

“We call on the Federal and State governments to fast-track approval processes so the detailed design and construction of the Queensland sections of the Melbourne to Brisbane project can start sooner,” the committee says in its manifesto.

The call comes as Missing Link proponent and federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta urges the State Government to release a report that would clear the way for the project.

“Given the Inland Rail project’s importance to Queensland and the need to deliver a dedicated freight rail connection between the Port of Brisbane and Acacia Ridge before the IR is completed, progress needs to be made to drive this infrastructure forward,” Mr Vasta wrote in his letter to state Transport Minister Mark Bailey this week.

“Once the study is released our government’s can collectively move forward with a business case to determine the best route, consult with the community and provide detailed social and economic assessments of this proposed infrastructure.

“With the existing line capacity to be exceeded by 2031, we need to deliver this nation-building infrastructure to prevent gridlock on our roads and bring Port of Brisbane in line with world’s best practice.

“I implore you to release the Port of Brisbane Strategic Rail Access Study with the utmost urgency.”

Federal MP Ross Vasta wants to build a tunnel linking the massive inland rail scheme and the Port of Brisbane. Picture: Annette Dew

Mr Bailey said the State Government was supporting the federal investigation of potential routes for a rail link to the Port of Brisbane.

“A federally led business case is already under way, and we’re working with the Federal Government on releasing the completed study in the coming weeks,” Mr Bailey said.

“This is work being jointly undertaken with the Commonwealth and, as a member of the Morrison Government, I’d suggest Mr Vasta raise his issues with the Prime Minister.

“Just like Inland Rail, any proposal would be majority funded by the Federal Government.

“Ross Vasta is doing his best to distract Queenslanders from the fact the Morrison Government has failed to meet approval time frames in Queensland for its Inland Rail project 14 times.”

Cross River Rail’s borer crews and refurbished machines with re-sized cutting heads could be used to dig two tunnels stretching a total of 16km and realise the missing link between Brisbane’s port and Inland Rail, generating a massive jobs, exports and congestion-busting boost to Queensland.

The mega tunnel is being investigated by government as a way to unlock billions in jobs and exports as well clear city roads of heavy trucks and backyards of coal trains.

The Sunday Mail last week revealed the route from Acacia Ridge to Port of Brisbane was being investigated, as well as a shorter 12km version, as we launch our Queensland’s Missing Link campaign to get the freight route built.

Just 2.5 per cent of containerised freight moving through Port of Brisbane is moved by rail, hampered by having to share the commuter system, choking both and forcing containers on to trucks.

FAIR GO FOR FARMERS

Nangwee farmer Nic Clapham says Australia desperately needs rail infrastructure.

Mr Clapham, who farms grain and cotton on the farm he recently took over from his dad just east of Cecil Plains, near Dalby, said the nation could not afford to keep relying on roads choked with trucks.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be tough choices – individual farmers will be hit hard if the yet-to-be-decided Inland Rail route passes through their properties as it links Brisbane and Melbourne, and need to be fairly compensated, Mr Clapham says.

But the full benefit of the rail line will only be felt, federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta says, with a dedicated freight route connecting Inland Rail all the way to the Port of Brisbane.

A dedicated freight route could take as many as 2.4 million trucks a year off the road, cut the cost of transport for farmers and exporters and tap the massive economic, jobs and road safety benefits of taking rail freight direct all the way to the sea.

Nangwee farmer Nic Clapham in his field of cotton backs rail infrastructure if farmers are fairly compensated. Pics Adam Head