The Queensland Government has released the findings of a preliminary viability study into the proposed Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor (TEARC) project, which found that the proposed $300 million upgrade will be profitable and deliver extensive benefits for the state’s north west.

 

“As part of our long-term vision for the north’s economic future, we commissioned this study to determine if a rail line connecting the Port of Townsville with the North Coast and Mt Isa lines was feasible,” Premier Anna Bligh said.

 

The preliminary findings show the line would:

  • Increase capacity to meet demand while ensuring no gluts appear
  • allows longer trains to access the port, delivering greater efficiencies in operating costs.
  • Means a safer route, bypassing 10 level crossings; and
  • Improves traffic flow in the city centre by reducing freight trains that use the current line. 

 

“The current rail network feeding into the Port of Townsville will experience significant growth in coming years and we need to have additional infrastructure in place to cater for that,” Ms Bligh said.

 

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said a huge drawcard for industry was the better access to port TEARC would provide.

 

“There are several major mining projects potentially starting in north-west Queensland, and Townsville’s rail capacity needs to expand to meet that growing demand,” she said.

 

“Train lengths are currently limited to 1000m on the Mt Isa line and just 650m on the North Coast line.

 

“TEARC would allow massive 1.4km-long trains to run straight into the port, providing substantial savings in train operating costs and passing loops."