The ARTC will be required to present and assess alternative Inland Rail routes in the B2G draft EIS

The Federal Government says it’s time to get on with building the Inland Rail along its selected route. But the Co-ordinator-General still wants alternative routes to be considered.

The Office of the Co-ordinator-General has confirmed Australian Rail Track Corporation will be required to present alternate routes for the Border to Gowrie leg of the Inland Rail project as part of its Environmental Impact Statement.

Writing to a landholder this week, the office of the Co-ordinator-General said ARTC was advanced in its drafting of the EIS for the project.

“The terms of reference for the EIS required ARTC to present and assess feasible alternatives to the project, including an assessment of alternative route options identified,” the letter said.

“ARTC is also required to inform readers of the alternative forestry route review process and its outcome, to provide clarity to the public when considering the EIS.”

The Federal Government selected its preferred route – the Wellcamp-Charlton route – in September 2017, a move which drew the ire of local landholders who believe it will increase flooding risks as the line crosses the Condamine flood plain.

Three years on, the sentiment among landholders remains largely unchanged.

Both Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week said it was time to “get on” with building the $10 billion project.

“The original route is the best route and that’s the one we now need to get on with and start things moving,” Mr Morrison told Groom voters on a by-election town hall phone call last night.

The letter also said that detailed requirements were set in the EIS’ terms of reference about the analysis of flooding impacts and how they were to be avoided, minimised, and managed.

“Also, the terms of reference set requirements that extensive community engagement be undertaken on flood studies with landholders along the route, and ARTC must demonstrate in the EIS how this consultation has informed their analysis. Advice from the International Panel of Experts for flood studies of Inland Rail will support the evaluation of the projects.”

The Co-ordinator-General is committed to releasing the Border to Gowrie draft EIS for public comment when it “adequately addresses the terms of reference”, the letter said.

“The Co-ordinator-General is aware that there are concerns in the community regarding the route selection process, including crossing of the Condamine flood plain and looks forward to

receiving the advice of the independent flood panel.”