To cater for new tonnages from existing and new coal mines, QR is proposing a major expansion of its rail network in the less populated areas to the north west of greater Gladstone. This will include the construction of a new rail link, new rollingstock maintenance facility, provisioning facility and expansion of the existing rail corridor. These works will service a number of facilities, including the new Wiggins Island Coal Terminal (WICT) at the Port of Gladstone.

The project comprises the following key elements:

• A new rail line linking the Moura Short Line (MSL) to the North Coast Line (NCL) southeast of Mount Larcom,
• A rollingstock maintenance yard and provisioning facility at Aldoga to be constructed alongside the NCL, within the northern Gladstone State Development Area (GSDA).
• Quadruplication of the NCL from near the proposed new yard to just east of the township of Yarwun.    

An Environmental Impact Statement had been prepared for Wiggins Island Coal Terminal including the new rail works and rollingstock maintenance and provisioning facilities, with the majority of these facilities at a location closer to the proposed coal terminal. Completion of this project would have meant a significant increase in rail traffic on the Moura Short Line through rural residential areas close to Gladstone. In response to feedback received during the EIS consultation phase for Wiggins Island, it was decided to proceed with this revised concept for rail works to be located generally in or near the northern GSDA.

The capital value of the project is estimated at $500 million. It is expected to create around 350 jobs during the 2 year construction phase and 550 permanent operational jobs once the development is complete.

Environmental Impact Statement process

On 26 September 2007 the Coordinator-General declared the Moura Link - Aldoga Rail Yard Project a ‘significant project’ for which an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required in accordance with Part 4 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld).

The Department of Infrastructure and Planning is managing the environmental impact assessment process on behalf of the Coordinator-General.

The project has been referred to the Australian Government for a determination as to whether or not it constitutes a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

In addition, the EPBC report can be viewed on the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) website: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl

The title of the referral is Queensland Rail/Transport - land/Near Calliope, Mount Larcom, Aldoga and Yarwun/QLD/Moura Link - Aldoga Rail Project.  Reference number 20007/3773

Further information is also available on the Coordinator General website: http://www.coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au/major_projects/moura_rail.shtm