news
April 16, 2020
MEDIA RELEASE
Government backs InterLinkSQ and Seaway’s proposal for Inland rail interface improvement program.
On 14 April 2020, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Michael McCormack announced InterLinkSQ and Seaway as one of 16 local project proposals to be further developed with support for the Australian Government’s $44 million Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program. The program backs local projects that will create efficiencies or link regional communities and industries to the Inland Rail.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack announced that an EY Australia-led consortium had been commissioned to further develop, feasibility studies and strategic business cases with the successful organisations and groups including the Seaway/InterLinkSQ proposal.
InterLinkSQ is building a road/rail terminal adjoining industrial land in Toowoomba that sits at the intersection between the Inland Rail and the regional rail lines. Seaway will be the Terminal Operator of this site and the two companies proposed to develop the South West Intermodal Project.
The proposal has the potential to provide a cost-effective and efficient service offering through the facilitation of a “hub and spoke” logistics network. This would include the construction of a new rail siding and a primary regional aggregation and distribution centre (hub) in Toowoomba, Queensland.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio says:
“A more efficient rail network is the key to unlocking this potential and delivering benefits to the producers, our member regions and the State economy when it is needed more than ever.”
“The time is right to advance the business cases for the upgrades that will link directly to the Inland Rail.”
InterLinkSQ General Manager Blair Batts said:
“We are delighted that the Federal Government has identified the South West Intermodal Project to progress to the next phase of the Inland rail interface improvement program.
“InterLinkSQ will be the connector between the Western Queensland regional rail network and the Inland Rail, effectively extending the reach of Inland Rail over 700 kilometres into Western Queensland.
“The Inland Rail is not just about domestic freight or connecting the Port of Melbourne to the Port of Brisbane. For regional Queensland connection to the Inland Rail is an imperative for the growth of our regional economies.
“More efficient and cost-effective pathways to and from markets will reduce the cost of doing business in regional Queensland. This will make it more viable to establish businesses in our regions in industries like manufacturing and processing. This means new jobs and real growth.
Seaway's COO Paul Szumowski states:
“Seaway is very pleased to have our joint proposal with InterLinkSQ for the South West Intermodal Project shortlisted.
"The South West Intermodal Project backs our objective to create competition between road and rail in South West Queensland, lowering costs for producers and allowing towns in regional Queensland to take advantage of the opportunities that the Inland Rail project can provide.
Inland Rail will create around 16,000 jobs during the construction phase, while supporting approximately 700 jobs once it is operational.