Cloncurry logistics consultant John Green says an intermodal facility is what the town needs to take it to the next economic level.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“I’ve been engaged by a private consortium to look at building an intermodal rail facility in the region, which I think is long overdue to bring general freight back on the line and toughen up competition on the rail line and get some tonnes off the road,” Mr Green said.
Mr Green said an intermodal facility was a private railway station designed to handle multiple products by multiple clients.
“It’s a smart way of centralising a distribution point from the train interaction with truck transport,” he said.
“It’s about bring a new train, eventually two new trains on the line, and concentrating getting back to everything from agricultural products to fuels to cement on the line.”
Mr Green said it would lead to cheaper freight costs to business, agriculture and smaller miners and relieve transport on road.
“Our consortium is looking at building a station with road and rail access, it will become a major distribution point,” he said.
Mr Green said construction could commence as early as next year and they were in discussions with government with support from local MP Robbie Katter.
Mr Katter said the proposal to build an all-weather storage, loading and hauling facility to handle bulk materials should be a government priority.
“This would be of great benefit to a number of industries in the region, particularly for the mining industry, but also agriculture, fuel, cement and general containerised freight.”
Mr Katter said Cloncurry was moving ahead with economic activity.
“The mining sector in Cloncurry alone directly supports several hundred employees and businesses, along with generating $140 million in royalties.”
Mr Katter said accessibility issues on the rail line could be significantly reduced with the facility. “The facility will increase freight options for mining projects, enabling the region to build on its position as a world leading commodities hub,” he said.
"Anything we can do to reduce the wear and tear on our roads by opening up more access to rail transport is a step in the right direction."
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
