A Senate inquiry into Inland Rail sat in Brisbane last week, hearing Mayor Darren Power and others about their views of the controversial project.
Murmurs in the property sector are divided.
One agent said within the past week that there were numerous factors which could be at play for homeowners as a result of the project.
“If it’s as distruptive as some feel it might be to homes within ear shot, that means the prices of homes or units in the vicinity could suffer,” the agent said.
“That carries an upside for homeowners whose properties are not affected, as people look for alternative aspirational places to live. If it generates jobs, there are also the broad economic benefits.”
Cr Power, who has publicly objected to the project, claimed to be representing the local community’s views when he spoke to the inquiry.
Here is some information about where the inland rail project is at:
A Federal Government-owned entity, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), is delivering the proposed freight connection between Brisbane and Melbourne.
The Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Bromelton (K2ARB) section runs through the western side of the City of Logan on the existing interstate rail line.
It is expected that longer trains and double-stacked carriages will be used on the route, with the frequency of services rising from approximately eight trains a day to up to 45 by 2040.
The local section of inland rail is currently in the design stages, but the rail line will be lowered and additional passing loops will be created.
Along with local residents, Council has regularly raised concerns about the impacts of noise, vibration and air quality on the community.
The trains are expected to operate 24 hours a day and are likely to carry coal in the future.
By 2041, 17,000 Logan residents are anticipated to live within 500m either side of the K2ARB route, while 38,000 residents will be within 1km.
Council does not have a role in the approvals for Inland Rail, nor has the K2ARB section yet been declared a coordinated project by the Queensland Government.
“We know that many landowners who purchased their properties in this area did not anticipate the increased size and frequency of trains, with the substantial increase in capacity threatening to disrupt the everyday life of residents in Logan,” Cr Power said.
“Council does not have a role in the approvals for inland rail, and it is still not confirmed whether the K2ARB section will be declared as a coordinated project.
“We are greatly concerned that the interests of Logan residents are not being adequately considered by the decision makers.”
Cr Power said he had made his concerns clear in meetings and through correspondence with Federal Government Ministers and Local Members and the ARTC.
“We will continue to raise these issues on the community’s behalf until we are satisfied that decision makers are genuinely considering the impacts to quality of life of existing and future Logan residents living within the Inland Rail route corridor.”
