Economic:

• Increase of 62 direct jobs (industrial and services sector);

• Increase the throughput capacity of the Great Northern Railway Line by c.2,100,000 tonnes per annum, thus increasing export potential for the region and positive flow-on benefits across the supply chain (e.g. Port of Townsville and the proposed Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor);

• Reduce freight costs, allowing the region to be more competitive in international markets;

• Reduce costs to the state government of Queensland in terms of maintaining the Flinders Highway; and 

• Potential to generate significant state revenue, and increasing the existing supply chain’s efficiency, effectiveness and value.

 

Community:

• Relocates high impact use out of the Cloncurry Town Centre / increasing community safety; and

• Forecast regional economic impact to creates jobs and new business opportunities in a range of sectors, including mining, transport, agriculture and general industry.

 

Environmental Impact Improvements: 

• Reduced Co2 emissions by creating the potential to displace at least c.1,000,000 tonnes per annum of products off the roads to a lower carbon footprint rail transportation solution; 

• Transport method: sealed half height containers, thereby eliminating potential harmful emissions; and

• Avoids any unnecessary impact to ecological areas.

 

Project Milestones:

All major approvals are in place, which in summary form includes the following:​​

• 99 year Lease; 

• Native Title approval - registered with the National Native Title Tribunal; 

• Development Approval - Cloncurry Shire Council & the state government of Queensland; 

• Environmental Authority to operate the Project under the Environmental Protection Act, 1994 (Qld); 

• Engineering: Detailed engineering and capital expenditure modelling in place;

• Construction timeline: c.12mth build out period with immediate community, economic/environmental benefits;

• Robust multi-sector support across the entire Project’s value chain: Government (Local, State Federal), indigenous community and industry; and

• Project Funding discussions are well advanced and are expected to conclude shortly.