Inland Railway
Encyclopedia
The Australian Inland Railway is a proposed railway extending in a north-south direction across the continent from Melbourne
to Darwin
along a route in mostly flat terrain west of the mountainous Great Dividing Range
. The main proponent of the railway line is Everald Compton, through the company Australian Transport and Energy Corridor Ltd (ATEC).
, except where it shares the alignment with the narrow gauge of Queensland
, in which case the track would be dual gauge
. Isolated sections of the line would be built with dual gauge sleepers to facilitate a change of gauge or conversion to dual gauge at a later date.
As well as providing for general freight and passenger trains, the line would open up coal and mineral deposits across Queensland which need access to heavy duty ports such as at Gladstone
.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation
and ATEC are equal partners in a joint venture company called Australian Inland Railway Expressway Pty Ltd (AIRE), which was established to develop the railway line between Victoria and Queensland.
In May 2009 preliminary analysis by the Australian Rail Track Corporation showed that the cheapest version of the inland railway would cost $2.8 billion to build and allow freight to be moved from Melbourne to Brisbane in just over 27 hours. Running from Melbourne via Albury to Cootamundra, Parkes, Narromine, Dubbo, Werris Creek and Moree to North Star near Goondiwindi in Queensland, new track would then have to be laid from North Star to Toowoomba and on to Brisbane. The analysis found that if operating by 2020 the economic costs would outweigh the benefits by $1.1 billion, or $860 million if environmental gains were taken into account.
in its own right. Some sectors could not be feasible without others already being in place.
Several connections are intended to be provided across the Great Dividing Range between the inland route and coastal cities and ports, such as Sydney
via Goulburn
, Newcastle
via Ulan
or Werris Creek
, Brisbane
, Gladstone, Rockhampton
and Cairns.
railway line between Wandoan
and Banana
, which is planned to have its detailed route planning and financing completed by the end of 2009 and to be operational in 2012. This line, in conjunction with upgrading of existing lines, will provide a direct link between Toowoomba
and Gladstone
. The company involved in building that line, Surat Basin Rail Joint Venture, is a joint venture
involving ATEC, Industry Funds Management, Anglo Coal, Xstrata
Coal and Queensland Rail
. It has been granted an unconditional exclusive mandate to construct and operate that line as an open access
private railway
.
This line will initially be built in narrow gauge and without overhead electrification but will be designed to provide for future conversion to dual gauge and electrification.
is the current terminus point for passenger rail services on the Mungindi railway line
. Beyond Moree, only wheat
trains operate on a branch line to North Star
, near the Queensland border. That line previously extended to Boggabilla
, which is only a few kilometres from Goondiwindi
in Queensland
. While Goondiwindi is on a narrow gauge line that connects to Toowoomba via Warwick
, these New South Wales and Queensland lines never met.
In April 2008, ATEC announced that it is seeking an unconditional exclusive mandate from the Queensland and New South Wales governments to build a new 350 km standard gauge rail line between Moree and Toowoomba. The proposed route of that line would pass through North Star, turn east on a completely new alignment to Yetman
in New South Wales, then north to Yelarbon
in Queensland. From there, it would go to Inglewood
, then turn north to Millmerran
, then through Pittsworth
to Toowoomba. While there are existing narrow gauge lines between Yelarbon and Inglewood and between Millmerran and Toowoomba, it is unclear whether it is proposed to use these lines.
Under the proposal, this line would be completed in 2014. It is estimated that the completion of this line has the potential to reduce the number of trucks travelling along the Newell Highway
by 1000 per day.
and Moree, a series of existing railway lines of varying condition and load capacity could provide a connection. The federal government announced a detailed study into the line between Melbourne and Brisbane in May 2008. That study is expected to select the most viable route. In particular, a decision has to be made between taking the inland railway line through Albury
or Shepparton
. Some completely new sections of line are expected to be developed, while other existing lines will be upgraded or completely rebuilt.
then north to Bowen
.
to Bowen.
, where it would join the Adelaide-Darwin railway
to Darwin
.
In 2005, a study found that this line was not viable at that time. In July 2008, it was announced that ATEC is again carrying out a study to investigate the viability of constructing this line because two new iron ore mines are being developed north west of Mount Isa and the recently elected Mount Isa council have shown renewed interest in the project.
The Wonarah Phosphate
deposit, located 250 km east of Tennant Creek, was discovered in 1967 and has been the subject of numerous studies. Up to 2007, the project remained uneconomic due to the world price of phosphate. With rising prices during 2007, the mining lease holder, Minemakers Limited, believed that the project might have become economically viable. The proposed site of the mine is on the Barkly Highway
and the route of the proposed Mount Isa to Tennant Creek railway line. The initial plan was to use trucks to transport phosphate to Tennant Creek, where it would be transferred to trains for transport to Darwin. In January 2009, a memorandum of understanding
was announced between Minemakers and ATEC for a financial study into the construction of the railway line from the project site to Tennant Creek as an open access private railway.
, west of Toowoomba, was granted development approval in March 2008.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
to Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
along a route in mostly flat terrain west of the mountainous Great Dividing Range
Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
. The main proponent of the railway line is Everald Compton, through the company Australian Transport and Energy Corridor Ltd (ATEC).
Overview
The line would be standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
, except where it shares the alignment with the narrow gauge of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, in which case the track would be dual gauge
Dual gauge
A dual-gauge or mixed-gauge railway has railway track that allows trains of different gauges to use the same track. Generally, a dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and the inner rail...
. Isolated sections of the line would be built with dual gauge sleepers to facilitate a change of gauge or conversion to dual gauge at a later date.
As well as providing for general freight and passenger trains, the line would open up coal and mineral deposits across Queensland which need access to heavy duty ports such as at Gladstone
Gladstone, Queensland
- Education :Gladstone has several primary schools, three high schools, and one university campus, Central Queensland University. It is also home to CQIT Gladstone Campus.- Recreation :...
.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Australian Rail Track Corporation is a federal government owned corporation established in 1997 that owns, leases, maintains and controls the majority of main line standard gauge railway lines on the mainland of Australia, known as the Defined Interstate Rail Network .-History:The Interstate...
and ATEC are equal partners in a joint venture company called Australian Inland Railway Expressway Pty Ltd (AIRE), which was established to develop the railway line between Victoria and Queensland.
In May 2009 preliminary analysis by the Australian Rail Track Corporation showed that the cheapest version of the inland railway would cost $2.8 billion to build and allow freight to be moved from Melbourne to Brisbane in just over 27 hours. Running from Melbourne via Albury to Cootamundra, Parkes, Narromine, Dubbo, Werris Creek and Moree to North Star near Goondiwindi in Queensland, new track would then have to be laid from North Star to Toowoomba and on to Brisbane. The analysis found that if operating by 2020 the economic costs would outweigh the benefits by $1.1 billion, or $860 million if environmental gains were taken into account.
Sectors
The proposal is not intended to be constructed by just one company or government. Instead, each sector is intended to be planned and developed separately, with each having to be economically feasibleFeasibility study
Feasibility studies aim to objectively and rationally uncover the strengths and weaknesses of the existing business or proposed venture, opportunities and threats as presented by the environment, the resources required to carry through, and ultimately the prospects for success. In its simplest...
in its own right. Some sectors could not be feasible without others already being in place.
Several connections are intended to be provided across the Great Dividing Range between the inland route and coastal cities and ports, such as Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
via Goulburn
Goulburn, New South Wales
Goulburn is a provincial city in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia in Goulburn Mulwaree Council Local Government Area. It is located south-west of Sydney on the Hume Highway and above sea-level. On Census night 2006, Goulburn had a population of 20,127 people...
, Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
via Ulan
Ulan, New South Wales
Ulan is a small village in eastern New South Wales, Australia. Ulan Post Office opened on 1 September 1893.There is a coal mine at Ulan. The Sandy Hollow - Ulan Railway was built to serve this coal mine...
or Werris Creek
Werris Creek, New South Wales
Werris Creek is a small town in New South Wales, Australia, near Tamworth, in Liverpool Plains Shire. It is north of Quirindi and is at the junction of the Main North railway line to Armidale and Moree. At the 2006 census, Werris Creek had a population of 1,490.-History:The area is thought to...
, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Gladstone, Rockhampton
Rockhampton, Queensland
Rockhampton is a city and local government area in Queensland, Australia. The city lies on the Fitzroy River, approximately from the river mouth, and some north of the state capital, Brisbane....
and Cairns.
Toowoomba to Gladstone
Originally called the Dawson Valley Rail Link, the first sector will be the 210 km Surat BasinSurat Basin
The Surat Basin is a part of the Great Artesian Basin of Australia. The Surat Basin extends across an area of 270,000 square kilometres and the southern third of the basin occupies a large part of northern New South Wales, the remainder is in Queensland. It comprises Jurassic through to Cretaceous...
railway line between Wandoan
Wandoan, Queensland
Wandoan is a small town in Queensland, Australia, located on the Leichhardt Highway about halfway between Taroom and Miles. It is part of the Western Downs Region local government area, within which it is the centre for the local cattle industries...
and Banana
Banana, Queensland
Banana is a small town located in Central Queensland, Australia, in the Banana Shire, a Local Government Area. Banana is located at the intersection of the Dawson and Leichhardt highways, 46 kilometres west of the shire's administrative centre, Biloela. At the 2006 census, Banana had a population...
, which is planned to have its detailed route planning and financing completed by the end of 2009 and to be operational in 2012. This line, in conjunction with upgrading of existing lines, will provide a direct link between Toowoomba
Toowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba is a city in Southern Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city...
and Gladstone
Gladstone, Queensland
- Education :Gladstone has several primary schools, three high schools, and one university campus, Central Queensland University. It is also home to CQIT Gladstone Campus.- Recreation :...
. The company involved in building that line, Surat Basin Rail Joint Venture, is a joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
involving ATEC, Industry Funds Management, Anglo Coal, Xstrata
Xstrata
Xstrata plc is a global mining company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is a major producer of coal , copper, nickel, primary vanadium and zinc and the world's largest producer of ferrochrome...
Coal and Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
. It has been granted an unconditional exclusive mandate to construct and operate that line as an open access
Open Access (Infrastructure)
In the context of infrastructure, open access involves physical infrastructure such as railways and physical telecommunications network plant being made available to clients other than the owners, for a fee....
private railway
Private railway
A private railroad is a railroad run by a private corporation, as opposed to a railroad run by a public sector.-Japan:In Japan, refers to a railway line owned and operated by private sector. Although Japan Railways Group companies are private entities, they are not considered private railways...
.
This line will initially be built in narrow gauge and without overhead electrification but will be designed to provide for future conversion to dual gauge and electrification.
Toowoomba to Moree
MoreeMoree, New South Wales
Moree is a large town in Moree Plains Shire in northern New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the banks of the Mehi River in the centre of the rich black-soil plains....
is the current terminus point for passenger rail services on the Mungindi railway line
Mungindi railway line, New South Wales
The Mungindi railway line is a railway line in northern New South Wales, Australia. It branches from the Main North line at the town of Werris Creek and heads north-west through the towns of Gunnedah and Narrabri before reaching Moree which for many years was the railhead before the extension to...
. Beyond Moree, only wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
trains operate on a branch line to North Star
North Star, New South Wales
North Star is a small village in northern New South Wales near the Queensland border. At the 2006 census, North Star had a population of 327 people.- Facilities :* Grain storage capabilities owned by Grain Corp, with access to the railway line....
, near the Queensland border. That line previously extended to Boggabilla
Boggabilla, New South Wales
Boggabilla is a small town in the far north of inland New South Wales, Australia in Moree Plains Shire. In 2006, the town had a population of 647 people....
, which is only a few kilometres from Goondiwindi
Goondiwindi, Queensland
Goondiwindi is an Australian town of approximately 5,629 people. The town has an annual population growth of 1.4 percent. The name Goondiwindi derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "the resting place of the birds".-History:...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. While Goondiwindi is on a narrow gauge line that connects to Toowoomba via Warwick
Warwick, Queensland
Warwick is a town in Queensland, Australia, lying south-west of Brisbane. It is the administrative centre of the Southern Downs Local Government Area. In 2006 the town of Warwick had a population of 12,562....
, these New South Wales and Queensland lines never met.
In April 2008, ATEC announced that it is seeking an unconditional exclusive mandate from the Queensland and New South Wales governments to build a new 350 km standard gauge rail line between Moree and Toowoomba. The proposed route of that line would pass through North Star, turn east on a completely new alignment to Yetman
Yetman, New South Wales
Yetman is a very small town in the New England region of northern New South Wales, Australia. At the 2006 census, Yetman and the surrounding area had a population of 178....
in New South Wales, then north to Yelarbon
Yelarbon, Queensland
Yelarbon is a small town in south-central Queensland on the Dumaresq River. It sits on the Cunningham Highway midway between Goondiwindi and Inglewood. At the 2006 census, Yelarbon had a population of 448....
in Queensland. From there, it would go to Inglewood
Inglewood, Queensland
Inglewood is a town situated on the southern Darling Downs in Queensland, Australia, south-west of Toowoomba. Inglewood is the second largest town in the Goondiwindi Region as well as being part of the Border Rivers region of waterways.-History:...
, then turn north to Millmerran
Millmerran, Queensland
Millmerran is a town in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. The town is situated on the Gore Highway, 208 kilometres west of the state capital, Brisbane...
, then through Pittsworth
Pittsworth, Queensland
Pittsworth is a town located in the Darling Downs region of southern Queensland, Australia.-Location:Located 169 km south-west of Brisbane via the Warrego Highway, 41 km south-west of Toowoomba and 518 m above sea-level, Pittsworth presents itself to the world as a town with lots of interesting...
to Toowoomba. While there are existing narrow gauge lines between Yelarbon and Inglewood and between Millmerran and Toowoomba, it is unclear whether it is proposed to use these lines.
Under the proposal, this line would be completed in 2014. It is estimated that the completion of this line has the potential to reduce the number of trucks travelling along the Newell Highway
Newell Highway
The Newell Highway is the longest highway in New South Wales, Australia. It runs parallel to the eastern coast about 400 kilometres inland, and is the main inland direct road link from Victoria to Queensland, bypassing the more congested coastal areas of New South Wales...
by 1000 per day.
Melbourne to Moree
Between MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and Moree, a series of existing railway lines of varying condition and load capacity could provide a connection. The federal government announced a detailed study into the line between Melbourne and Brisbane in May 2008. That study is expected to select the most viable route. In particular, a decision has to be made between taking the inland railway line through Albury
Albury, New South Wales
Albury is a major regional city in New South Wales, Australia, located on the Hume Highway on the northern side of the Murray River. It is located wholly within the boundaries of the City of Albury Local Government Area...
or Shepparton
Shepparton, Victoria
Shepparton is a city located on the floodplain of the Goulburn River in the north east of Victoria, Australia approximately north-east of Melbourne. It is the fifth largest city in Victoria, Australia. The estimated population of Shepparton's statistical area is 48,926.It began as a sheep station...
. Some completely new sections of line are expected to be developed, while other existing lines will be upgraded or completely rebuilt.
Toowoomba to Brisbane
Toowoomba lies at an elevation of 700m (not particularly high in world terms), but difficulties in climbing the range from Brisbane at reasonable cost was the prime cause of the choice of narrow gauge railways in Queensland, and the subsequent break of gauge problems that this caused at the New South Wales border. Route planning for this section is part of the federal government funded study.Banana to Bowen via Emerald
A line has been proposed to connect the Bowen basin and Surat basin coal mining regions, providing mines in those areas with access to 4 ports. The line would connect to the Surat Basin railway line at Banana, extend northwest to EmeraldEmerald, Queensland
Emerald is a town located in the Central Highlands district of Central Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Emerald had a population of 10,999. The town is the business centre for the Central Highlands Regional Council....
then north to Bowen
Bowen, Queensland
Bowen is a town on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Bowen had a population of 7,484.-Geography:Bowen is located on the north-east coast of Australia, at exactly twenty degrees south of the equator. In fact, the twentieth parallel crosses the main street...
.
Mount Isa to Bowen
A line has been proposed to connect the North West Minerals Province around Mount IsaMount Isa, Queensland
-Culture and sport:The local theatre group, the Mount Isa Theatrical Society, or MITS, often holds plays and musicals, at least once every few months or so....
to Bowen.
Mount Isa to Darwin
This sector is proposed to be built between Mount Isa and Tennant CreekTennant Creek, Northern Territory
Tennant Creek is a town located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is the fifth largest town in the Northern Territory and it is located on the Stuart Highway, just south of the intersection with the western terminus of the Barkly Highway....
, where it would join the Adelaide-Darwin railway
Adelaide-Darwin railway
The Adelaide–Darwin railway is a north-south transcontinental railway in Australia, between the cities of Adelaide, South Australia and Darwin, Northern Territory...
to Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
.
In 2005, a study found that this line was not viable at that time. In July 2008, it was announced that ATEC is again carrying out a study to investigate the viability of constructing this line because two new iron ore mines are being developed north west of Mount Isa and the recently elected Mount Isa council have shown renewed interest in the project.
The Wonarah Phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
deposit, located 250 km east of Tennant Creek, was discovered in 1967 and has been the subject of numerous studies. Up to 2007, the project remained uneconomic due to the world price of phosphate. With rising prices during 2007, the mining lease holder, Minemakers Limited, believed that the project might have become economically viable. The proposed site of the mine is on the Barkly Highway
Barkly Highway
The Barkly Highway is a national highway of both Queensland and the Northern Territory.-Description:It runs westward from Cloncurry and the junctions of the Flinders and Landsborough highways to the junction with the Stuart Highway north of Tennant Creek...
and the route of the proposed Mount Isa to Tennant Creek railway line. The initial plan was to use trucks to transport phosphate to Tennant Creek, where it would be transferred to trains for transport to Darwin. In January 2009, a memorandum of understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
was announced between Minemakers and ATEC for a financial study into the construction of the railway line from the project site to Tennant Creek as an open access private railway.
2009
In October, 2009, Minemakers were considering construction of a rail branch from their minesite at Wonarah to a junction with the ASDR railway at Tennant Creek.Freight Depots
A road-rail trans-shipment hub in CharltonCharlton, Queensland
Charlton is a locality near Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, located from the city centre off the Warrego Highway....
, west of Toowoomba, was granted development approval in March 2008.