The long-planned handover took place Friday, February 1 with Linfox saying they were now “offering a new and compelling logistics option for businesses operating in Far North Queensland”. 

The first Linfox-managed train departed Brisbane for Mackay Friday loaded with consumer goods, industrial products and produce.

Linfox’s expansion of its intermodal operation in Queensland follows the acquisition of Aurizon’s QIB, including Aurizon employees, freight forwarding, pick-up and delivery assets as well as rail wagons.

Linfox Australia CEO Mark Mazurek said they had secured the continued employment of almost 200 former Aurizon employees along with supporting suppliers and businesses.

“A recruitment campaign has also begun, with new jobs advertised to allow us to expand on the existing services,” Mr Mazurek said.

“The acquisition is the culmination of two decades of effort by Linfox to expand its rail network in Far North Queensland and allow us to actively leverage our assets to better service our interstate customer base as well.

“Today marks the doubling of Linfox’s Australian intermodal capability and provides the business a platform for further volume and markets share growth in the expanding Queensland market.”

Mount Isa City Council Mayor Joyce McCulloch said she was delighted Linfox would maintain vital rail and freight services to the city.

“The rail and freight industries employ dozens of people in Mount Isa and are a critical component of the city’s economy, particularly its mining sector,” Cr McCulloch said. 

“The North West Minerals Province is one of the world’s richest mineral-producing regions, so it’s vital we continue to have a reliable and dependable rail service to Townsville, in order for Mount Isa Mines’ products to reach their target markets and for other goods and materials to go to and from the city.”

“The guarantee of a continuation of these services and the supply chains that depend on them will definitely be a shot in the arm that will help secure Mount Isa’s future and economy in the long-term.”

Mr Mazurek said said their first focus especially during current challenging weather conditions was to deliver enhanced rail and road services.

Linfox now has access to 12 freight depots in Queensland including the Acacia Ridge Terminal, trucks, trailers and rail wagons for intermodal containers and heavy lift assets and all existing QIB customer contracts.

The parties announced the sale in 2017 and it went ahead after the Federal Court of Australia lifted an interlocutory injunction on November 19, 2018.