Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Howard Hobbs said the committee would hear from locals about the future of rail freight.

Mr Hobbs said the committee would investigate ways to encourage Queensland's agricultural and livestock industries to better use rail as a freight option.

``We are keen to hear what growers and producers in the Cloncurry region think about using rail as opposed to road for their freight requirements,'' he said.

``This public hearing will be an important opportunity for people and groups in Cloncurry who use rail freight now or would benefit from a better rail system to have their say.'' 

Mr Hobbs said road freight levels were close to capacity and in order for production levels to continue increasing, Cloncurry and Queensland needed to better use rail freight options.

``The committee has been tasked with reporting to Parliament on what we believe are the best future options for rail freight for the agriculture and livestock industries in Queensland and as part of that we want to consult with rail freight users in Cloncurry,'' he said.

As part of the inquiry into rail freight use by the agriculture and livestock industries, the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee will hold a public hearing at 10.30am at the Mary Kathleen Room at the Cloncurry Community Precinct.

Members of the public are invited to attend.