• Queensland’s vital minerals industry will supply the world with important mineral commodities.
• The Miles Government is looking at ways to improve rail freight along the Mt Isa railway line.
• The State Budget for 2024-25 includes funding to examine the feasibility and viability of the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor Project.

The ability of Queensland to transport critical minerals along the Mount Isa railway line will be investigated in order to optimize delivery and support North Queensland’s regional communities as well as the critical minerals sector.

The Minister of Transport and Main Roads announced that the investigation will examine how to improve rail cargo volumes on the Mount Isa railway line through targeted consultation.

The state government has committed $2 million to the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program from 2024-25 until 2027-28 in order to re-examine feasibility of the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor Project.

The business case completed in 2017 for an 8.3 km rail freight route connecting the North Coast Line to the Port of Townsville, will be updated to examine the economic viability of the project on the basis of current freight demand.

Queensland has the opportunity to fully unlock the estimated 500 billion dollars of critical minerals in North West Minerals Province and capitalise on global demand for these minerals.

Freight transportation is a key factor in realising the growth and benefits of Queensland’s critical mineral sector, including battery technology to support decarbonisation efforts.

This month, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DOTMR) will begin engaging stakeholders to determine possible ways to optimise the movement of freight along the Mount Isa railway line.

The Department will solicit feedback from industry stakeholders on the barriers to entry and challenges and limitations of using rail for small- and medium-sized critical mineral producers.

By working with industry to identify opportunities to optimise freight transportation on the Mount Isa railway line, North Queensland regional communities may benefit by reducing freight transport costs and providing long-term commercial security for industry when determining solutions.

The North West Minerals Province contains major silver, phosphate and copper deposits as well as strong rare earth potential.

The results of the consultation will help the government determine the best incentive approach for the Mount Isa railway line to encourage freight modal shifting from road to rail and support growth in rail cargo volumes.

The shift from road to rail could also have some additional benefits, such as improved road safety and road infrastructure management. It can also reduce carbon emissions by reducing heavy vehicle usage.

The Mount Isa railway line stretches over 1,000 km and plays a key role in supporting regional communities and jobs in North Queensland.

Bart Mellish, Minister of Transport and Main Roads, has stated:

“Queensland is a great place to export critical minerals around the world”.

The Mount Isa rail freight corridor is critical to Queensland’s vital minerals sector’s access to export markets.

We will work with stakeholders in the industry to identify possible approaches to increase freight transport on the Mount Isa Rail Line while supporting North Queensland Regional Communities.

“Moving heavy vehicles from the road to rail has additional benefits for road safety, road infrastructure maintenance and carbon emissions reduction.

Scott Stewart, Townsville MP and Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals:

“We know that the North West Minerals Province has a huge potential, but transport can sometimes be a barrier. This is why these efforts are important.

“I met with Minister earlier this year to discuss the need to reexamine the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor Business Case because we know that there is still more potential to grow our critical minerals industry.

It’s important to look at ways that we can help our critical minerals sector grow now and in the future.

“It is important that the Mt Isa-Townsville rail line operates efficiently for all users. That’s why last week we held a large forum with mining stakeholders in Townsville.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme Smith:

The Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor has been identified for a long time as the critical piece needed to improve rail accessibility into the Port Townsville, and support a more effective rail infrastructure layout in the Port precinct. This will relieve a known bottleneck.

“TEARC will support the growth of industries such as mining and critical minerals, but it will also strengthen the economic resilience of the region by streamlining logistics. It will also ensure cost-competitive access to global markets.”

“TEARC will remove significant freight rail movements from the Townsville CBD. This will provide further opportunities to enhance Townsville’s livability appeal.”

“We are grateful for the Queensland Government’s commitment of revisiting the TEARC Business Case.”