Inland Rail Community Consultative Committee named

A WIDE cross-section of the community has been chosen to represent those affected by the Inland Rail project in Brisbane’s south and Logan. Here’s who is on the committee.

A WIDE cross-section of the community has been chosen to represent those affected by the Inland Rail project between Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton.

More than 50,000 people will be impacted by this section of the 1700km interstate rail line from Melbourne to Brisbane.

A chairman and 16 members have been vetted by an independent assessor to form the Community Consultative Committee, which will meet for the first time in November.

SEE THE FULL COMMITTEE LIST BELOW

Mallory Wuthrich talks to Acacia Ridge and Algester residents about the Inland Rail project. Photo: Kristy Muir

About 280 freight trains will run past homes in Algester and Acacia Ridge, as well as suburbs in Logan, weekly by 2040.

At least 84 of them will be carrying coal.

At the moment about 40 freight trains a week use the existing railway line.

While the community will be able to voice their concerns through the CCC, it will not necessarily trigger an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) — which is what locals want.

The power to do this rests in the hands of State and Federal Government and the ARTC — although they all continue to play political football about who is actually responsible.

A loaded coal train. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

The ARTC announced the committee this week but are yet to specify the date, time or venue of the first meeting.

The ARTC said: “The committee will provide community input on aspects of the studies required as part of the project approvals process, as well as providing ARTC Inland Rail insights into community issues, concerns and opportunities.

The track is close to a lot of homes in Brisbane and Logan.

“While the committee is for consultation purposes and will not be a decision-making body, the input and feedback received will result in a project that better addresses community issues and concerns during planning and design.

“The committee chair and members will be bound by the Interim Charter, which sets out the scope of the committee and expectations of behaviours. It is expected that the committee will ratify the Interim Charter at their first meeting.”

Acacia Ridge and Algester residents came together to take a stand against the Inland Rail project. Photo: Kristy Muir

The ARTC received 36 nominations, with all nominations assessed by an independent assessor.

“The member selection process sought to ensure members had demonstrated local community connections and/or relevant knowledge,” the ARTC said.

“Nominees were assessed against the following criteria: Community participation/connections,

community channels, subject matter experience, business experience, board experience.

K2ARB Community Consultative Committee

CHAIR

John Brent OAM

MEMBERS

Mallory Wuthrich — Individual (Algester)

Suz Corbett — Inland Rail Action Group

Damon Gerebtzoff — Algester Sports Club

Phil Manitta — St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School

Costas Alexandrou — Peet Flagstone City Pty Ltd

Steven Coghill — Yuggerah Moreton Elders

Dorinda Hall — Individual

Hon. Gary Hardgrave — Regional Development Association (Logan Redlands)

Angela Harlen — Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce

Stephen Harrison — Flinders Land Holdings Pty Ltd

David Kenny — Logan Country Safe Group

Anne Page — Logan and Albert Conservation Association

Lloyd Stumer — Individual

Chantal Swanton-Gallant — Bolton Clarke (RSL Care and RDNS)

Cameron Thomas — Scenic Rim Regional Council

Bob Wiley — Individual (Flagstone)

If you have an inquiry about the committee or the nomination process, please contact the project team by phoning 1800 732 761 or email [e-mail]