The Federal Government has announced that double-stacked trains will not travel through the City of Logan following an independent review of the Inland Rail project.
City of Logan Mayor, Darren Power, welcomed the review by Dr Kerry Schott, recommending the construction of an intermodal terminal at Ebenezer, near Ipswich, to effectively end the Inland Rail route at that point for the double-stacked carriages.
The Federal Government has agreed ‘in principle’ to this recommendation.
Single-stacked trains would continue to Kagaru, Acacia Ridge and Bromelton, including through Logan, to allow connectivity to ports and other rail networks.
“After years of standing firm on our opposition to the proposed Inland Rail, I was delighted to hear the news today,” Mayor Power said.
“This really was a ‘David and Goliath’ clash but it shows you should never give up on something that is worth fighting for.”
Dr Schott’s Inland Rail review made 19 separate recommendations, as it forecast the budget for the project to double to $31 billion with completion not expected this Decade.
The Mayor said it was a small and long overdue win when the Federal Government committed to the independent review of the project in 2022.
“When I met with Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, in 2022, I made her aware of our community’s long-held concerns about the project,” Mayor Power said.
“We know the route was selected without consultation and impacted residents did not get an opportunity to have their say on the route or offer alternatives.”
Logan City Council’s Infrastructure Chair, Teresa Lane, praised the decision to seek a new direction for Inland Rail.
“This just makes common-sense to explore a new route that has less impact on our growing city and booming residential areas,” Ms Lane said.
“I join the Mayor in thanking the new Federal Government for listening to local residents’ genuine concerns about this project.”
Mayor Willcocks said the decision to keep double-stacked trains out of Logan would come as a huge relief for thousands of residents in suburbs including Greenbank and New Beith, which is adjacent to the existing single rail line.
“Many have put their life savings into building a house in these new development areas, only to discover afterwards that hundreds of extra trains could be chugging through their neighbourhood,” Mayor Willcocks said.
“This is great news and a bit like a Christmas present at Easter for these residents.”
Feature image: Tim Frazer, Infrastructure Chair Teresa Lane, Mayor Darren Power and Natalie Willcocks at the rail bridge on Pub Lane, Greenbank. Provided by City of Logan.
