A Senate inquiry into Inland Rail was released last week, and Logan mayor Darren Power says it’s confirmed what he’s been concerned about all along.
The report tabled last Wednesday night confirmed concerns that thousands of City of Logan residents will be negatively impacted by Inland Rail.
There is a meeting of the Kagaru to Acacia Ridge and Mromelton Community Consultative Committee on Monday August 12 at Logan West Community Centre, Hillcrest.
The meeting from 6pm-8pm is advertised in today’s MyCity Logan (page 24) and says the committee was formed to keep the community informed about Inland Rail and provide opportunities for ideas and views to be heard.
Cr Power said the Senate Committee had supported the Logan community by recommending a “rigorous, transparent and consultative impact assessment of the Kagaru and Acacia Ridge to Bromelton project (K2ARB)”.
“Council and our community have long been vocal about the catastrophic impacts of the project through the K2ARB section,” Cr Power said.
“The route was selected without consultation and residents did not get an opportunity to influence route selection or offer alternatives.
“Our residents will bear the brunt of noise, vibration and air quality issues, with almost 40,000 residents projected to live within 1km of the rail corridor by 2041.”
Cr Power said council had long called for K2ARB to be a coordinated project so it could be subject to a rigorous assessment process and provide better safeguards to affected communities.
“I can’t understand why the Queensland Coordinator-General decided not to call in the K2ARB section as a ‘coordinated project’ earlier this year, with approvals now to come via the Department of Transport and Main Roads,” he said.
“It’s the most densely-populated section in Queensland and also the only section not facing that level of assessment.”
The Senate inquiry report noted the potential adverse impacts of a 24-hour journey time requirement between Melbourne and Brisbane and recommended there be no adverse impacts on passenger rail networks including a passenger line from Salisbury to Beaudesert.
The report also makes several recommendations regarding the need for thorough consideration of alternative routes from Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone.
Cr Power said council would formally consider the report’s recommendations during its September meeting round.
“Council had two separate opportunities to appear before the Senate inquiry committee in January 2020 and January 2021, and I’m very appreciative that we were able to put forward our community’s concerns,” he said.
“I hope the committee’s recommendations are strongly considered by the ARTC and the Australian Government to ensure the best outcome for the City of Logan and our residents.
“In the meantime, we will continue to shout our concerns from the rooftops – especially during the next federal election – to ensure the best outcomes for our community.”
