FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.     What does intermodal mean?

Freight was typically shipped in just one way - on and off a truck, for example. To take advantage of scale and efficiencies, freight can be shipped using two or more modes. Intermodal transportation typically refers to truck-rail-truck shipments but may also include truck to air shipping or truck to ship in the event freight is being shipped overseas. An intermodal terminal makes these transitions from one mode to another quick and economical.

3.    Will the intermodal terminal solve any future freight problems in the region?

Yes, the freight being produced to the west of Toowoomba is set to double by 2030 and the road transport network won’t be able to keep up. InterLinkSQ allows access to rail for some of the freight to be moved to the Port of Brisbane via a Port Rail Shuttle to help with the growth in the future freight task.

3.    Could freight be transported by rail from the growing regions in Southern Queensland to the Port of Brisbane?

Yes, and with rail working efficiently in the region it is possible that a 60% modal share of agricultural freight can be shifted from road to rail for export. 

4.     Is Inland Rail the solution to this region’s freight problems?

Inland Rail will be an important infrastructure initiative, ensuring the movement of freight in the region.

The full benefit of Inland Rail to the nation will not be fulfilled without terminals like InterLinkSQ, these terminals will allow a connection from the growing regions to the Inland Rail alignment.

5.     Is there a standard rail link to the Port of Brisbane?

Yes, Inland rail will be linked to the Port of Brisbane from the day it opens, via the existing Queensland Rail owned standard gauge link rail line to the port which will be adequate for the first 10 years of operation of the Inland Rail project.

Trains currently operate on the rail line to the port and will continue to do so when Inland Rail opens. 

6.     How can emissions be reduced in the freight and logistics sector?

Rail has significant environmental benefits and is essential for the reduction of CO2 emissions.

For every container that is transferred from InterLinkSQ to the Port of Brisbane by rail (rather than road), there is a reduction of Green House Gas emissions by 125kg of CO2.

30MWh on average can be saved per annum to 2038/39.

7.     How does locating at InterLinkSQ benefit customers?

For an average importer/exporter shipping 5,000 boxes per annum with a land area requirement of 2.5 hectares, an average saving in freight rate is achieved of $40 per box, this equates to a $200,000 saving per annum.

By facilitating industrial land which is adjoining the rail line, InterLinkSQ enables heavy vehicle access and storage facilities for empty containers, allowing operational savings for land owners and lessees in the InterLinkSQ development precinct.

InterLinkSQ’s strategic location and efficiency advantages encourages farmers, trading houses and exporters to move freight through InterLinkSQ’s terminal, allowing trucking companies a significantly larger drawing arc, ensuring more freight is moved by rail to the Port of Brisbane.