Council’s Inland Rail fight continues

Lockyer Valley Regional Council is continuing in its ongoing objection to the unreasonable impacts of Inland Rail on the future of the region.

While the Australian Government’s Independent Review of Inland Rail is yet to be released, Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said Council remained as committed as ever to ensure the Lockyer Valley is afforded the consideration it deserves.

“Through our own internal review, Council compared the pros and cons of the line on our towns, and we’re confident there is justification for a rail realignment.

“These considerations and alternative routes are now being considered by Inland Rail – and we hope they consider all factors, not just saving money,” she said.

Council has raised its concerns around the confronting impacts of this project on our region since it was first announced, Mayor Milligan said.

“This project will have a generational impact on our region, and there is no way national benefits should come at the cost of our residents.

“What we want is to secure an alignment that protects and respects our community – and that can only be achieved by diverting around our townships, not coming straight through,” she said.

With the Inland Rail project forecasting an expected peak of up to 50 trains per day, including coal trains, and others up to 1.8km long through the Lockyer Valley, Mayor Milligan said the impact of Inland Rail would be extensive, with no benefits to our region.

“Few, if any other towns along the entire alignment will suffer more than the Lockyer Valley from train movements, without any corresponding benefits.

“If this project also delivered passenger rail, it would make sense to come through our towns, but it won’t, and the huge volumes and speed of freight trains should be sent around our towns.

“As a Council, we’ll keep fighting in our ongoing objection to a project which offers no long-term benefits to our community,” she said.