Millmerran Rail Group hopeful today’s Senate Inquiry will shed further light on rail project

Farmers have called for the Federal Government to await the outcome of the Senate Inquiry and the report of an independent panel of experts reviewing flood modelling before progressing with an Environmental Impact Statement for the Border to Gowrie section of the route.

Darling Downs primary producers are hopeful the resumption of the Senate Inquiry into the management of Inland Rail by the Federal Government and the Australian Rail Track Corporation in Canberra today will provide more answers.

Millmerran Rail Group chairman Wes Judd said the all-party Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee was undertaking a comprehensive investigation into Inland Rail, and it had focused on what he said was “the seriously flawed plans for the route to be located on the Condamine River flood plains near Millmerran”.

ARTC has confidence in its design of the flood plain crossing.

The Senate Committee held a hearing in Millmerran on January 29 and it is due to table its report on February 11, 2021.

Mr Judd called for the Federal Government to await the outcome of the Senate Inquiry and the report of an independent panel of experts reviewing flood modelling before progressing with an Environmental Impact Statement for the Border to Gowrie section of the route.

“As primary producers and taxpayers, we know there is benefit from Inland Rail,” he said.

“But it must be done right and the current route is seriously flawed. It will cost local jobs, it will increase flood risks in our community, and it will cost taxpayers a lot more.”

It is expected the Queensland Government will shortly release the draft EIS for the selected route for public exhibition.

Communities and other stakeholders will be encouraged to make submissions to the Office of the Co-ordinator-General detailing their concerns and other feedback.