pollies to meet on rail link

http://mountisa.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/road-out-now-for-rail/1402240.aspx

Road out, now for rail

MATT NICHOLLS
8/01/2009 7:40:00 AM
INTEREST in developing a rail link between Mount Isa and the Northern Territory’s Tennant Creek has been renewed after the one and only road between the towns was cut off by floodwaters this week.
The Barkly Highway is the main link between the Townsville and Darwin ports, and is used by hundreds of road trains each week.

More than 20 truck drivers were left stranded in Camooweal on their way to Darwin as floods destroyed a large portion of the road about 130 kilometres past the Northern Territory border.

Mount Isa resident Peter Faulks said it was time the Northern Territory, Queensland and Federal governments got together to discuss building a rail line from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek, which would connect Townsville and Brisbane to Darwin.

“It’s just logical. Almost every year we have problems trucking goods from Queensland to Darwin in the wet season,” he said.

“It makes sense to have an alternative option. You can transport more bulk at nearly half the cost via rail.”

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter agreed, and said the Mount Isa to Tennant Creek rail line should be prioritised as one of the most important projects in the country.

Mr Katter said an extension of Mount Isa’s rail line had numerous benefits and was “virtually self-funding”.

The Queensland Government was still assessing the idea.

A Queensland Transport spokesperson said the government was still sourcing more information about the project by a private consultant.

“The proposed Mount Isa to Tennant Creek rail corridor is part of a broader strategy by the Australian Transport and Energy Corridor Limited (ATEC),” the spokesperson said.

“ATEC’s plan is to build its Australian Inland Rail Expressway (AIRE) from Melbourne, through New South Wales and inland Queensland via the Surat Basin and across to the Adelaide/Darwin railway,” the spokesperson said.

“Queensland deputy premier Paul Lucas has asked ATEC to give a detailed presentation later this month on the elements of its AIRE strategy. “