Inland Rail project: Concern from Algester, Parkinson, Acacia Ridge residents
RESIDENTS at Algester, Parkinson and Acacia Ridge are calling on government leaders to ensure the controversial Inland Rail project doesn’t derail the community.
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RESIDENTS at Algester, Parkinson and Acacia Ridge are calling on government leaders to ensure the controversial Inland Rail project doesn’t derail the community.
Double-stacked freight trains as long as 1800m — the length of 18 football fields — will pass along the existing track between Kagaru and Acacia Ridge, running past homes, business, parks and schools. The amount of freight trains using this route will increase by at least five times from eight to more than 40 a day with coal earmarked as one of the main resources to be transported along the line.
State Member for Algester Leeanne Enoch has written to the Australian Rail Track Corporation to create a community consultative committee to give locals a chance to have their say and stay updated on the Federal Government $9.3 billion project.
Committees have been set up in other communities impacted by the 1700km route, which will link Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and Ms Enoch believes southsiders should be given the same right.
Concerned Algester resident Mallory Wuthrich says the community must unite on the issue and better understand the implications of such a major project on their doorstep.
Algester local calls for ARTC consultation
AN Algester parent is begging for community support, claiming the Inland Rail project will ruin the landscape of the southside.
Father-of-two Mallory Wuthrich is trying to “rally the troops” in the hope it is not too late to have the community’s voice heard by the State and Federal Government and the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Mr Wuthrich said the coal dust was the main concern for him and his family, not so much the noise of the trains.
A fear that was also felt by many locals living near Col Bennett Park, which is opposite Algester State School.
“We live about 1km away from the track and currently we don’t hear the freight trains but having done a lot of research on other areas that have had an increase in coal-based rail ... the results make you nervous as a parent,” Mr Wuthrich said.
“And the thing that really concerns me is that many Algester residents are not fully aware of the potential implications of the Inland Rail.
“I don’t think there has been anywhere near enough consultation from the State Government or the ARTC, and I certainly don’t think there has been a lot of credence given to any consideration for the communities there and the long-term impacts.
“I really don’t think many people are that well informed.
“It seems to me that people are not fully aware of the potential health risks here.”
The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection states: Air quality has the potential to be impacted by the coal dust emissions from transporting coal.
“Air quality monitoring and reported observations have shown that coal dust is emitted from coal trains during transit and from coal terminal stockpiles. Impacts are generally limited to those locations in proximity to railways and coal loading terminals.”
An Australian Rail Track Corporation spokeswoman said ARTC and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) were working together to ensure “the best rail transport solution”.
“This is an existing operational rail corridor and Acacia Ridge has been a longstanding, nationally-significant intermodal terminal in operation for decades,” the spokeswoman said.
“ARTC is committed to meeting all of its planning and environmental legislative requirements.
“We will progress studies on noise, vibration and dust monitoring, ecology, water quality, soils and geology, transport, social and socio-economic factors and land use. They will help us understand the impacts of the planned enhancements and inform mitigation measures to be incorporated into the design.”
The ARTC spokeswoman said: “As with all 13 projects along the Inland Rail corridor, community consultation is a vital part of our studies. We are focused on building the best possible rail line and input from the community is an important part of that.
“The Inland Rail website is also an up-to-date source of information on consultation activities.
We encourage people to register via the website to receive updates or contact Inland Rail’s team to talk through any questions, concerns or queries.
“The website address is inlandrail.artc.com.au and the team can be contacted on 1800 732 761 or by email inlandrailqld@artc.com.au.”
Community committee a vital link
State Member for Algester Leeanne Enoch has urged Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) CEO John Fullerton to establish Inland Rail consultation groups at Algester, Logan and Jordan.
Ms Enoch said residents at Algester (including Parkinson, Acacia Ridge), Logan and Jordan electorates were being left out of the conversation when it came to Inland Rail.
“The Palaszczuk Government is very conscious of the community’s concerns that they are being left in the dark on this project,” she said.
“As part of my discussions, I have made it very clear that it is of upmost importance to our community that the impact of increased dust, noise and the frequency of train movements is a priority for local residents.
“However, because the ARTC has neglected to establish a community consultative committee in the last leg of the proposed Inland Rail Project, these residents don’t have access to reliable and current information.”
Ms Enoch said if the committee was established it would be open to all members of the public and was particularly suitable for community leaders.
“If you would like to be a part of this committee or know someone suitable, please contact your local MP’s office,” she said.
Politicians voice their view on the rail project
The three tiers of government in the area have had their say on the Inland Rail project. These are their views.
Councillor for Moorooka Ward Steve Griffiths said: “While I support the need for an inland rail line, it is unacceptable that the line finishes at Acacia Ridge and does not connect to the Port of Brisbane.
“Goods will need to be off-loaded at Acacia Ridge and transported by heavy vehicles to the Port of Brisbane. “Already, southside roads are congested with the impacts felt by businesses and residents alike.
State Member for Stretton Duncan Pegg said: “Southside locals have massive concerns about this project, and so do I.
“So far locals have been completely kept in the dark. That better change quickly, because one thing I know about southside locals is that they don’t take kindly to being treated that way.”
Federal Member for Rankin Jim Chalmers: “Locals absolutely deserve to know what’s happening with this project and how it affects them.
“The Turnbull Government needs to explain why there’s been such a lack of transparency on its watch and why locals haven’t been able to have a sufficient say.
“Unlike the Turnbull Government, Federal Labor will stick up for our local community and raise our community’s concerns in Senate estimates this week.”
Federal Member for Moreton Graham Perrett said: “Southside residents deserve to know how this essential part of the rail project that will affect them is going to be implemented. There is no doubt that residents will be significantly impacted.
What do you think? Email your opinion to our inbox at:
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